Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine accepted for rolling review in Canada

Health Canada will determine BNT162b2's suitability for approval as clinical trial data comes in.

| More on:

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed by Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech (NASDAQ: BNTX) is now undergoing its first regulatory review in North America. The two companies announced that their BNT162b2 has been accepted for a rolling review by Health Canada, that country's healthcare regulatory authority.

A rolling review is one undertaken while a candidate is still in development; this is done in cases of urgent need, as with the current global pandemic.

No estimate was provided as to when Health Canada might complete its review; the two companies wrote that the regulator "will not make a decision on whether to authorise any vaccine being considered under rolling review until it has received the necessary evidence to support its safety, efficacy and quality."

BNT162b2 is currently in phase 3 clinical trials, having reached that stage relatively quickly. As such, it is considered by many observers and pundits to be the leading COVID-19 vaccine candidate for approval.

According to Pfizer and BioNTech, around 37,000 participants have been enrolled in more than 120 testing sites around the world in the trials. Twenty-eight thousand of those patients have received the second dose of the two-dose vaccination.

Meanwhile, Pfizer and BioNTech continue to get their ducks in a row regarding the manufacture and distribution of BNT162b2 should it be approved for use. On Monday, the pair said they've signed an agreement to supply 1.5 million doses to New Zealand. The financial terms of the deal were not specified.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on International Stock News

A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares
International Stock News

The US election is done and dusted. Is now the time to buy the ASX NDQ ETF?

US stocks continue to march higher this week.

Read more »

A financial expert or broker looks worried as he checks out a graph showing market volatility.
International Stock News

Why is everyone talking about the VIX Index today?

Fear or greed: Which investor sentiment will prevail today?

Read more »

A young kid with dark glasses rocks out with a guitar.
International Stock News

Why Nvidia stock rallied to a new all-time high on Wednesday

The changing of the guard bodes well for the artificial intelligence (AI) chip specialist.

Read more »

A handsome smiling man sits in the front seat of an electric vehicle with his hands on the wheel feeling pleased that the Carsales share price is going up and the company will shortly pay its biggest dividend ever
International Stock News

Why Tesla stock just skyrocketed

Why is Donald Trump's election victory powering explosive gains for Tesla stock?

Read more »

Man holding up betting slip and cheering along with two friends in front of TV
International Stock News

Elon Musk's big gamble: Will Tesla stock plunge if Kamala Harris wins the election?

The Tesla CEO has been an outspoken advocate for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Will it backfire?

Read more »

Four investors stand in a line holding cash fanned in their hands with thoughtful looks on their faces.
Economy

Up 20% this year. Does the S&P 500 Index have more in the tank for 2024?

Will US stocks hold up after the election?

Read more »

two young boys dressed in business suits and wearing spectacles look at each other in rapture with wide open mouths and holding large fans of banknotes with other banknotes, coins and a piggybank on the table in front of them and a bag of cash at the side.
International Stock News

2 magnificent S&P 500 dividend stocks down 27% to 51% to buy and hold forever

These stocks hold potential to act as growth and income plays.

Read more »

A young female investor with brown curly hair and wearing a yellow top and glasses sits at her desk using her calculator to work out how much her ASX dividend shares will pay this year
International Stock News

One Wall Street analyst thinks this emerging Artificial Intelligence stock could rise 60% in the next year

SoundHound AI is on the doorstep of a big year.

Read more »