• In a Phase 3 trial, Pfizer and BioNTech’s combination vaccine candidate against influenza and COVID-19 met one of its two primary immunogenicity objectives
  • The trial did not meet one of its primary immunogenicity objectives of non-inferiority against the influenza B strain despite obtaining higher influenza A responses and comparable COVID-19 responses versus the comparator vaccines
  • The companies are evaluating adjustments to the candidate and will discuss next steps with health authorities
  • Pfizer also provides update on its separate Phase 2 second-generation trivalent influenza mRNA vaccine trial which showed encouraging data demonstrating robust immunogenicity against all strains compared to a standard of care influenza vaccine

NEW YORK, NY, USA & MAINZ, Germany I Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE, “Pfizer”) and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, “BioNTech”) today announced top-line results from their Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the companies’ combined mRNA vaccine candidate against influenza and COVID-19 in healthy individuals 18-64 years of age. The combination candidate consists of Pfizer’s mRNA-based influenza vaccine candidate with the companies’ licensed COVID-19 vaccine. The Phase 3 trial measured two primary immunogenicity objectives (immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2 as well as immunogenicity against influenza A and B), of which one was met. In a separate Phase 2 trial, Pfizer evaluated trivalent (“tIRV”) influenza mRNA standalone vaccine candidates which demonstrated robust immunogenicity in individuals 18-64 years of age. The companies are evaluating adjustments to the combination vaccine candidate aimed at improving immune responses against influenza B and will discuss next steps with health authorities.

Update on Phase 3 Pfizer and BioNTech Combination Vaccine Trial

The Phase 3 randomized, observer-blinded study (NCT06178991) enrolled more than 8,000 adults 18 through 64 years of age to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a single dose combination vaccine candidate against influenza and COVID-19. In this clinical trial, the vaccine candidate was compared to a licensed influenza vaccine and the companies’ licensed COVID-19 vaccine given at the same visit. The primary immunogenicity objectives were to demonstrate that the antibody responses to influenza (hemagglutination inhibition, “HAI”) and to SARS-CoV-2 (neutralizing titer, “NT”) elicited by the combination vaccine candidate were non-inferior (“NI”) to standard of care (“SOC”). Compared to a licensed influenza vaccine, the tIRV formulation was noteworthy for eliciting robust influenza A responses, including a continued trend of higher influenza A responses versus a licensed influenza vaccine, while it showed lower geometric mean titers (“GMT”) and seroconversion against the influenza B strain. In addition, the formulation demonstrated comparable responses against SARS-CoV-2 versus the companies’ licensed COVID-19 vaccine. No safety signals with the combination vaccine have been identified in an ongoing safety data review. Participants who received a licensed influenza and COVID-19 vaccine with co-administration continued to elicit robust immune responses against both influenza and COVID-19 with no safety signals identified to date.

“We are encouraged by the robust immunogenicity we saw with our combination vaccine against influenza A, which was similar to what we had seen for our initial quadrivalent influenza vaccine where we saw superior relative vaccine efficacy against a comparator flu vaccine,” said Annaliesa Anderson, PhD, Senior Vice President and Head, Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer. “We are committed to developing vaccines that will reduce the burden of respiratory diseases and believe that combination vaccines are the most efficient way to do this. Today’s results provide insight and direction towards achieving this goal, and we remain optimistic about our combination COVID-19 and influenza program, for which we are evaluating the next steps.”

“We are dedicated to developing combination vaccines which provide broader protection against multiple respiratory diseases,” said Prof. Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech. “The insights gained from this combination vaccine trial are highly valuable and will play a crucial role in guiding the further development of Pfizer’s and our combination vaccine program against influenza and COVID-19. We are committed to drawing on our experience in developing mRNA-based vaccine candidates against multiple antigens and believe we can successfully accomplish this task in collaboration with our partner Pfizer.”

Update on Pfizer’s Phase 2 Second Generation Influenza Vaccine Trial

Pfizer’s Phase 2 trial (NCT06436703) to evaluate second-generation candidates against influenza was initiated earlier this year and enrolled 450 participants 18-64 years of age, who were randomized to receive investigational mRNA-based influenza vaccines or influenza vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). As previously stated, Pfizer announced positive top-line Phase 3 results from its first-generation quadrivalent (“qIRV”) vaccine candidate which achieved the first and only demonstration of efficacy for an mRNA vaccine in a group of study participants 18-64 years of age. The primary endpoints for this qIRV first-generation candidate were not met in adults aged 65 and older, as statistical non-inferior relative vaccine efficacy (“rVE”) compared to a licensed influenza vaccine was not met based on the number of cases accrued. Pfizer developed second-generation candidates with the goal of improving immunogenicity and potentially breadth of protection, including new tIRV formulations that matched updated recommendations by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) and the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (“VRBPAC”). The tIRV formulations elicited robust influenza A responses and B responses, including continued trend of higher influenza A responses versus a licensed influenza vaccine. There were no safety signals reported. Data from this Phase 2 trial for adults 65 years of age and older will become available at a later date.

Pfizer will also continue to evaluate its influenza vaccine program and discuss next steps with health authorities.

About Influenza
Influenza causes an estimated 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations, 12,000 to 52,000 deaths1 and about $25 billion in economic loss2 in the U.S. each year. People 65 and older are at increased risk of serious complications from influenza, including hospitalization and death.3 Even when a vaccine matches circulating strains well, current influenza vaccines typically confer 40% to 60% protection each year, with even lower protection in years with poor matching of strains.4 The impact of influenza on racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. is even larger. Black Americans are nearly two times more likely than their white counterparts to be hospitalized for influenza while Latino and Indigenous Americans are 1.2 and 1.3 times more likely, respectively.5

With circulating influenza strains continually changing, predicting the best match for the next season’s vaccine is difficult for global health experts as those strains are chosen more than six months before the start of the flu season that they target. The flexibility of mRNA technology and its rapid manufacturing could potentially allow better strain matches in future years, and in a pandemic influenza situation, mRNA technology could enable rapid, large-scale manufacturing of vaccines.

INDICATION, AUTHORIZED USE AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATION

COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) is a vaccine for use in people 12 years of age and older to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Please click here for full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for COMIRNATY

AUTHORIZED USE

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula)* is FDA authorized under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 6 months through 11 years of age.

*Hereafter referred to as Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has not been approved or licensed by FDA, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA, under an EUA to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for use in individuals aged 6 months through 11 years of age. The emergency use of this product is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b) (1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • A person should NOT get Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine if they had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of any Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or to any ingredients in these vaccines
  • There is a remote chance that the vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the vaccine. For this reason, the vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. If your child experiences a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest hospital. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
    • difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over the body, or dizziness and weakness
  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Myocarditis and pericarditis following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines have occurred most commonly in adolescent males 12 through 17 years of age. In most of these individuals, symptoms began within a few days following vaccination. The chance of having this occur is very low. Seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine, particularly during the 2 weeks after receiving a dose of the vaccine:
    • Chest pain
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

Additional symptoms, particularly in children, may include:

  • Fainting
  • Unusual and persistent irritability
  • Unusual and persistent poor feeding
  • Unusual and persistent fatigue or lack of energy
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Persistent pain in the abdomen
  • Unusual and persistent cool, pale skin
  • Fainting can happen after getting injectable vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination
  • People with weakened immune systems may have a reduced immune response to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
  • Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may not protect everyone
  • Tell your vaccination provider about all of your child’s medical conditions, including if your child:
    • has any allergies
    • has had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)
    • has a fever
    • has a bleeding disorder or is on a blood thinner
    • is immunocompromised or is on a medicine that affects the immune system
    • is pregnant or is breastfeeding
    • has received another COVID-19 vaccine
    • has ever fainted in association with an injection
  • Side effects that have been reported with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines include:
    • Severe allergic reactions
    • Non-severe allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face
    • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
    • Pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)
    • Injection site pain/tenderness
    • Tiredness
    • Headache
    • Muscle pain
    • Arm pain
    • Fainting in association with injection of the vaccine
    • Chills
    • Joint pain
    • Fever
    • Injection site swelling
    • Injection site redness
    • Nausea
    • Feeling unwell
    • Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
    • Decreased appetite
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting
    • Dizziness
    • Irritability

These may not be all the possible side effects. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. Call the vaccination provider or healthcare provider about bothersome side effects or side effects that do not go away.

Report vaccine side effects to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1-800-822-7967 or report online to www.vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form.

In addition, individuals can report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at www.pfizersafetyreporting.com or by calling 1-800-438-1985.

Please click here for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Healthcare Providers Fact Sheet and Vaccine Recipient and Caregiver EUA Fact Sheet.

About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For 175 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com and follow us on X at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer

About BioNTech
Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) is a global next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. BioNTech exploits a wide array of computational discovery and therapeutic drug platforms for the rapid development of novel biopharmaceuticals. Its broad portfolio of oncology product candidates includes individualized and off-the-shelf mRNA-based therapies, innovative chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, several protein-based therapeutics, including bispecific immune checkpoint modulators, targeted cancer antibodies and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics, as well as small molecules. Based on its deep expertise in mRNA vaccine development and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its collaborators are developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases alongside its diverse oncology pipeline. BioNTech has established a broad set of relationships with multiple global and specialized pharmaceutical collaborators, including Biotheus, DualityBio, Fosun Pharma, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Genevant, Genmab, MediLink, OncoC4, Pfizer and Regeneron. For more information, please visit www.BioNTech.com.

1 Disease Burden of Flu. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html

2 Putri et al, Vaccine. 2018 Jun 22;36(27):3960-3966. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.05.057

3 Flu & People 65 Years and Older. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: Flu & People 65 Years and Older | CDC

4 Vaccine Effectiveness: How Well do the Flu Vaccines Work? Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm.

5 Flu Disparities Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups CDC. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/disparities-racial-ethnic-minority-groups.html.

SOURCE: Pfizer