FS-ISAC Coronavirus Update, Jan. 20, 2021

Headline

The vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech is likely to be just as effective against the highly transmissible strain of the coronavirus that was first discovered in the United Kingdom, according to more extensive analysis released Wednesday by the two companies.

• The new study found that all of the mutations associated with the newly-discovered variant were neutralized by antibodies in 16 participants who had previously been given the vaccine, half of who were aged between 18 and 55 and the other half between 56 and 85.
• Research published on the preprint server bioRxiv, but not yet peer reviewed, showed “no biologically significant difference in neutralization activity” between the laboratory tests on the mutation, known as B.1.1.7, and the original strain of the coronavirus.
• It is reported to be the first paper of its kind to be completed by a major vaccine maker, as other drug companies continue to conduct tests on the effectiveness of their own respective inoculations.
• Moderna and AstraZeneca, which has developed a vaccine in partnership with the University of Oxford, have both previously said they expect their vaccines to be effective against B.1.1.7.
• Experts said the findings were reassuring and not surprising and results from similar studies on the South African variant would be keenly watched, with BioNTech saying it plans to publish a more detailed analysis of the likely effect of its vaccine on that mutation within a few days.
• Authors of the study warned the rapid spread of variants worldwide required “continuous monitoring of the significance of changes for maintained protection by currently authorized vaccines.”
• Earlier this month, Dr. Ugur Sahin, co-founder and CEO of BioNTech, had said the German pharmaceutical company was confident after initial tests the vaccine would develop an immune response against the variant as well as the one discovered in South Africa.

Vaccine Updates