｜Edited by the Content Team of Zhong肽 BiochemicalRecently，Pfizer and BioNTech Announce Positive Phase 2 Data for Second-Generation Trivalent (tIRV) Flu mRNA Vaccine, Demonstrating Strong Immune Response Against All Strains Compared to Standard Flu Vaccines
Pfizer and German pharmaceutical technology company BioNTech initiated their flu vaccine collaboration in 2018, cooperated on producing the best-selling COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, and are now developing a combined vaccine to simultaneously prevent...Sense and COVID-19.
Influenza causes approximately 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 52,000 deaths annually in the United States. Elderly individuals aged 65 and above face a higher risk of severe influenza complications, including hospitalization and death. Even when the vaccine matches well with the circulating strains, current flu vaccines typically offer only 40-60% protection annually, with even lower efficacy in years when the strain match is poor.Due to the constant changes in influenza virus strains, global health experts face significant challenges in predicting the optimal matching strains for the next season's vaccine, as these strains are selected more than six months before the target flu season begins. The flexibility of mRNA technology and its rapid manufacturing capabilities may enable better strain matching in the coming years. In the event of an influenza pandemic, mRNA technology can facilitate swift, large-scale vaccine production.Pfizer launched a Phase 2 clinical trial for its second-generation flu candidate vaccine earlier this year. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of this mRNA vaccine against influenza. A total of 450 subjects aged 18-64 were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either the investigational mRNA-based flu vaccine or an already approved flu vaccine.Pfizer previously announced positive top-line results from the Phase 3 trial of its first-generation quadrivalent (qIRV) candidate vaccine. Analysis showed the effectiveness of this mRNA vaccine among subjects aged 18-64. However, this first-generation qIRV candidate vaccine did not meet the primary endpoint in adults aged 65 and above. Compared with the approved influenza vaccines, the first-generation qIRV vaccine failed to achieve non-inferiority in relative vaccine efficacy (rVE). Pfizer further developed a second-generation candidate vaccine aimed at enhancing immunogenicity and potential protection coverage, including adopting a novel tIRV formulation in line with the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC). The tIRV formulation elicited robust immune responses against both influenza A and influenza B, with an ongoing upward trend observed in the immune response to influenza A compared to approved influenza vaccines.AboutBioNTech
BioNTech ("Biopharmaceutical New Technologies") is a next-generation immunotherapy company dedicated to new treatments for cancer and infectious diseases. The company leverages a broad computational discovery and therapeutic drug platform to rapidly develop novel biopharmaceuticals. Based on its deep expertise in mRNA vaccine development and internal manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its partners are developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases, as well as its diversified oncology pipeline.
About Pfizer
Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849, with its headquarters located in New York, USA. It is a science-based, innovative, patient-first biopharmaceutical company.
