BioNTech claims it will know in two weeks whether the COVID-19 vaccine it developed with Pfizer is effective against the new B.1.1.529 variant strain that is quickly spreading in southern Africa
According to the Financial Times, BioNTech is testing the COVID-19 vaccine it created with Pfizer against the new version that appears to have evolved in southern Africa, and will know in two weeks whether it works against the variant.
Scientists and health officials are keenly monitoring the B.1.1.529 variety, which has been found in South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, and Israel.
The variety contains 32 mutations in the spike protein, which is the component of the virus that binds to human cells and is the target of existing vaccinations and antibody therapies. This indicates that the immunizations and treatments will be less effective, as previously reported by Insider.
“We appreciate the experts’ concerns and have promptly launched a study on variant B.1.1.529,” BioNTech informed Insider. “We expect further laboratory test results in two weeks at the most.”
As a result, the variant “differ[s] dramatically from previously detected variants,” according to the company.
“In the case of an escape variety, Pfizer and BioNTech have taken efforts months ago to be ready to alter the mRNA vaccine within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days,” the company claimed.
“To that aim,” the business started, “the companies have launched clinical trials with variant-specific vaccinations (alpha and delta) to collect safety and tolerability data that can be given to regulators.”
It’s unclear whether the alterations make the B.1.1.529 variety more infectious or lethal.
The mutation is quickly spreading. On Friday, Israel announced its first case of B.1.1.529, involving a person who had returned to Israel from Malawi.
B.1.1.529 accounted for over 75% of cases detected in Gauteng province on November 22, just two weeks after the variety first arose, according to data released by the South African Department of Health on Thursday. An insider said that its rise was far faster than that of the Beta and Delta varieties, which took months to become dominant.
