Pfizer, Biontech shares rally on positive Covid vaccine update

(Sharecast News) - Biontech and Pfizer shares rallied on Monday after the companies said preliminary data from their Covid-19 vaccine trial showed that it was able to stimulate antibody and T-cell responses.
A total of 60 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 55 participated in a phase 1/2 clinical trial in Germany.

Biontech co-founder Özlem Türeci said: "It is encouraging that the data on BNT162b1 from the German study cohort are very much in line with what we have seen in the US study cohort.

"The preliminary data indicate that our mRNA-based vaccine was able to stimulate antibody as well as T-cell responses at remarkably low dose levels. We believe both may play an important role in achieving effective clearance of a pathogen such as SARS-CoV-2."

Preliminary data from the German and US Phase 1/2 studies, along with additional pre-clinical and clinical data being generated, will be used to determine a dose level and select among multiple vaccine candidates to seek to progress to an anticipated large, global Phase 2b/3 safety and efficacy trial.

That trial may involve up to 30,000 healthy participants and is expected to begin in late July if regulatory approval is received.

At 1425 BST, Pfizer shares were up 3.6% in pre-market trade at $37.57 and Biontech shares were up 11% at $94.50.