Biontech starts clinical trial with Omicron vaccine

Created: 2022-01-25 15:59

Biontech is now starting the first clinical trial with the new Omikron vaccine.

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The search for a vaccine specially tailored to the omicron variant is in full swing.

Biontech and Pfizer are now checking whether their candidate is safe, effective and well tolerated.

Mainz - Biontech and its partner Pfizer are starting the first clinical study with a Covid-19 vaccine adapted to the Omikron* variant.

The study with healthy adults aged 18 to 55 will examine the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of the vaccine candidate, as the two companies announced on Tuesday.

Up to 1420 test persons, who are divided into three groups, are to take part.

Omicron vaccine: This is how the study works

The first group includes a good 600 participants who have already received two doses of the previous vaccine between 90 and 180 days before the start of the study and are now to receive one or two doses of the Omikron vaccine.

The second group, almost as large, consists of boosted people who receive an additional dose of the conventional vaccine* or a dose of the Omicron vaccine.

The third group with a good 200 test persons consists of unvaccinated people who have not yet had Covid-19 and who then receive three doses of the Omicron vaccine.

"The study is part of our scientific approach to develop a variant-based vaccine that offers similar protection against omicron as we have observed with previous variants, but at the same time lasts longer," said Biontech boss Ugur Sahin.

Vaccines still offer a high level of protection against severe courses from omicron

Biontech: First Omikron vaccine deliveries possible as early as March

The Mainz-based pharmaceutical company and its US partner announced about two weeks ago that they had already started production of a Corona* vaccine adapted to the Omicron variant for later commercial use.

Biontech had stated that the two companies are "ready to supply the market by March, once regulatory approvals have been received."

Pfizer said it expects to have pre-produced about 50 million to 100 million doses of the new vaccine by late March or early April.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not yet stated whether it considers an Omicron-adapted vaccine with a different composition than the vaccine currently used to be necessary.