Pfizer and BioNTech to Develop First mRNA Vaccine for Shingles
Pfizer and BioNTech are collaborating on the development of a potential first mRNA-based vaccine to prevent shingles. Clinical trials are expected to begin in the second half of 2022.
Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE have announced a new collaboration to develop a potential first mRNA-based vaccine for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster virus). The agreement covers research, development, and commercialization.
The collaboration leverages Pfizer's proprietary antigen technology and BioNTech's mRNA platform, which was successfully used in their COVID-19 vaccine. This marks the third infectious disease collaboration between the two companies. Shingles affects approximately one in three people in the United States during their lifetime and can cause debilitating pain and disfigurement.
Development costs will be shared, and clinical trials are slated to commence in the latter half of 2022. The aim is to create a vaccine with improved efficacy and tolerability compared to existing options, while also facilitating more efficient global production.
Pfizer will lead global commercialization efforts, except in Germany, Turkey, and certain developing countries where BioNTech will hold rights. Both companies will share gross profits from future product sales. BioNTech will receive upfront payments totaling $225 million, including an equity investment, and is eligible for further milestone payments.