Chief Executive Officer of Biotech The
Tropical Crushbiotech group behind the first COVID-19 vaccine sees a new formulation of the vaccine likely to be needed by the middle of next year. to prevent the new corona virus as well as its mutants.
Ugur Zahin, CEO of Bio-Tech In an interview with the Financial Times that over time there will be more mutants. "This year, a different vaccine is completely unnecessary. But in the middle of next year It might be a different situation.”
A partnership between German biotech and US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer introduced the COVID-19 vaccine The first version enters the market. It is the first mRNA technology vaccine to be approved by the regulator. and became the best-selling vaccine in the world this year.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Sahin stated that the mutants the current circle Especially delta mutants. Very easy to spread But it doesn't make enough difference to undermine the efficacy of existing vaccines.
The booster vaccine was able to deal with the major mutants, Sahin said. Viruses will evolve mutations that can evade the immune response caused by vaccines. He stressed that an improved version was needed to specifically target the new mutant.
“This virus will remain. And the virus will adapt again,” he said. “We have no reason to assume that the immune system will be easier to deal with the next virus than the current one. It continues to evolve and evolution has only just begun.”
Sahin predicts that next year There are two main streams of vaccination programs, which are booster shots for people who have already been vaccinated. As well as moving forward to vaccinate people with limited access to vaccines at this time.
Pfizer and Biotech And other COVID-19 vaccine makers are under pressure from developing countries and aid organizations. to share patents To allow wider production of the vaccine, however, Sahin rejected the proposal. It claims it poses a quality control risk, while Pfizer CEO Albert Burla said it would undermine innovation.
Both companies are trying to deal with such concerns. By offering wide access to vaccines and investment in manufacturing in different regions. like Africa by last month Pfizer and Biotech recently announced plans to develop a filling and sealing plant in Cape Town.
Sahin denied any predictions. About future Pfizer/Biontech vaccine prices But it believes that vaccines will still be necessary for years to come.
