Germany-based mRNA specialist BioNTech (NASDAQ: BNTX) reportedly benefited from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to China this week. Chinese authorities agreed to a limited authorization for the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty (BNT162b2) to be used by German national expatriates living in China, according to media sources including Bloomberg, quoting Scholz.
Partnership and Vaccine Availability
BioNTech partnered with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co (SHA: 600196) on the development of Comirnaty in the Greater China region, while Pfizer holds rights outside of China. The vaccine is available in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan following approvals in 2021, but no market filing has been made in mainland China so far. BioNTech published the results of a Phase II trial for the vaccine in The Lancet in May this year.
Future Prospects and Broader Access
Scholz reportedly noted that he expects the limited authorization to be the “first step” before wider access, stating: “I hope the circle of beneficiaries may soon be widened to general availability of the BioNTech vaccine.” Sources indicated that Fosun had declined to comment on the story.
Local mRNA Vaccine Development
Currently, there is no mRNA vaccine approved for marketing in China. However, at least a dozen local firms have product candidates under development. Seven have reached the clinic, led by Abogen/Walvax’s ARCoV (Phase III in China), AIM Vaccine/Lifanda Bio’s LVRNA009, and Everest Medicines/Providence’s PTX-COVID19-B (both Phase II).-Fineline Info & Tech
