Positive update on Comirnaty and the Omicron variant of COVID-19

Germany’s BioNTech (Nasdaq: BNTX) and partner Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) have just announced results from an initial laboratory study regarding the Omicron variant. The data demonstrates that three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, trade named Comirnaty, neutralize the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529 lineage), while two doses show significantly reduced neutralization titers (by 25-fold).

As 80% of epitopes in the spike protein recognized by CD8+ T cells are not affected by the mutations in the Omicron variant, two doses may still induce protection against severe disease, the companies noted.

The companies will continue to collect more laboratory data and evaluate real-world effectiveness to assess and confirm protection against Omicron and continue to advance the development of a variant-specific vaccine for Omicron. Should an adaption of the vaccine be necessary to further increase the level and duration, the companies expect to have it available by March.