Berlin, November 29 (BUS) – German vaccine manufacturer Biontech has announced that it is developing a modified vaccine as a “precautionary measure” while at the same time conducting research on the nature of the new variant of the Corona virus, Omicron.
“To avoid wasting time, we are tackling these two tasks in parallel until the data is available and we have more information on whether or not the vaccine needs to be adapted,” a Biontech spokeswoman told dpa.
The two pledges partially match, according to Biontech. “We immediately began studies on the Omicron variant,” the company said. We have also taken initial steps to develop a potential new vaccine that interferes with laboratory testing.
Laboratory tests are necessary to assess whether or not a new vaccine is necessary. dpa international said the process involves exposing serum from vaccinated individuals to the spike protein from the variant to examine how it reacts.
“The goal of this approach is to move quickly in development in the event that a specific vaccine is needed,” the company said.
Biontech said Friday that the new variant differs significantly from variants previously observed because it contains additional mutations on the spike protein.
She said data from lab tests now underway will soon indicate whether there is a need to modify the vaccine if this alternative spreads internationally. The company expects to have preliminary results by the end of next week.
Biontech said it has been making preparations for months, along with its US partner, Pfizer, to adapt the current vaccine within six weeks in case a new type of virus spreads globally quickly. The aim of the preparations was to deliver the first batches of any modified vaccine within 100 days.
Vaccines that rely on the mRNA molecule, such as those produced by Biontech or Moderna, are faster to produce than conventional vaccines in that only the blueprint needs to be produced, rather than the antigen itself.
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