Covid update: Pfizer says it will have the ability to supply 1.3bn vaccine doses by the end of next year (if trials and approvals go to plan)

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) said the COVID-19 drug it is jointly developing with BioNTech SE could be ready for regulatory scrutiny by October. On that timeline, the pair could have 100mln dose ready by the end of the year, with the ability to supply 1.3bn doses by the end of next year. The details were provided alongside new data released after hours from the trial of BNT162b2, an mRNA-based vaccine, that is now in phase II/III. The latest update, taken from the phase I stage, revealed the drug candidate had “promising” safety and immunogenicity profile. Immunogenicity refers to BNT162b2’s ability to provoke an immune response. In July, the US government has agreed to pay Pfizer and BioNTech US$1.95bn to secure access to 100mln doses of their coronavirus vaccine. The deal was part of the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed that aims to deliver 300mln vaccines by early 2021. Pfizer shares were trading higher pre-market.