Pfizer and BioNTech Announce Progress in Developing COVID-19 Vaccine

Pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer Inc and biotechnology company BioNTech announced developments in a COVID-19 vaccine in a November 9 press release.

Footage taken at Pfizer’s largest manufacturing site, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, reportedly shows the COVID-19 vaccine’s formulation, fill, and finish.

According to the press release, the vaccine “has demonstrated evidence of efficacy against COVID-19 in participants without prior evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection,” based on analysis by an “external, independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) from the Phase 3 clinical study.”

“Today is a great day for science and humanity,” wrote Dr Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO. "The first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19.

“We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most with infection rates setting new records, hospitals nearing over-capacity and economies struggling to reopen. With today’s news, we are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis. We look forward to sharing additional efficacy and safety data generated from thousands of participants in the coming weeks.”

Pfizer wrote in the press release the stage-three trial began on July 27, and had enrolled 43,538 participants, with 38,955 receiving a second dose of the vaccine candidate as of November 8.

According to the New York Times, Pfizer had planned to ask the US Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization of the two-dose vaccine later in November. Credit: Pfizer Inc. via Storyful