Pfizer Rose To The COVID-19 Challenge And The Stars Aligned

Pfizer moved aggressively and early as COVID-19 became a global health threat, and now the company, with its partner BioNTech, is the first to secure an emergency use authorization for a COVID vaccine from the US FDA.

Falling meteorite, asteroid, comet in the starry sky
The stars aligned in the COVID-19 vaccine race • Source: Shutterstock

Pfizer Inc. has secured the first authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine from the US Food and Drug Administration in what has arguably been the most closely watched drug development race in modern history. The FDA authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine represents a momentous day for Pfizer and its development partner BioNTech SE, but also for the pharmaceutical industry generally, which has invested financial and human capital to help end the global health crisis caused by COVID-19.

The industry has delivered scientific advancements in areas like cancer, cardiovascular disease and genetic diseases, but perhaps no single drug...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from COVID-19

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By 

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.

New Vaccine Framework Avoided Worst-Case Scenario, Analysts Say

 
• By 

The new US FDA vaccine guidelines introduced on 20 May might cause financial woes for Moderna, but overall vaccine makers should not be as impacted as feared.

Arcturus and CSL Take on Pfizer With Longer-Lasting COVID Vaccine

 
• By 

Kostaive is the first self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval from the European Commission and could provide serious competition to Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax.

Under-Pressure Moderna Banks $590m To Speed Up Bird Flu Vaccine

 
• By 

A week after a downbeat forecast at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the US mRNA specialist has pocketed another sizeable sum from the US Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate development of an H5N1 mRNA pandemic influenza vaccine.

More from Scrip

Novartis Chief Warns Of Fewer Launches And Drug Withdrawals In Europe

 
• By 

Reimbursement rules are disincentivizing innovation, according to Vas Narasimhan.

Executives On The Move: Five New CEOs Among This Week’s Changes

Recent moves in the industry include changes at the top at Ascentage Pharma, Inventiva and Brenig Therapeutics, plus five companies get new CFOs.

AI-First, Big Pharma, Chinese Firms In Race - What’s Ahead For PRMT5 Inhibitors

 
• By 

As AI-driven firms like Insilico, big pharma like J&J, Amgen, GSK and AstraZeneca and Chinese and Indian firms like BeOne and Dr. Reddy’s respectively advance PRMT5 inhibitor candidates, what’s driving interest, what could lead to the first global approval and what are the challenges ahead?