BioNTech hails 'exciting news', says accelerated COVID vaccine approval 'without shortcut'

After British government gave historic d for mass rollout of Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine on December 2, BioNTech reportedly assured that it took shortcuts while accelerating process in collaboration with authorities. Earlier German drugmaker hailed formal authorisation of its mRNA-based vaccine as ‘exciting news’ as its vaccine candidate bagged world’s first approval from UK regulator.

groundbreaking achievement has caused a stir across globe and BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin also said that company's aim is to ensure a safe and effective vaccine. He also credited that speedy approval by Britain is "scientifically rigorous" and "highly ethical research programme."

“ Emergency Use Authorization in U.K. will mark first time citizens outside of trials will have opportunity to be immunized against COVID-19,” said Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech.

“We believe that roll-out of vaccination program in U.K. will reduce number of people in high-risk population being hospitalized. Our aim is to bring a safe and effective vaccine upon approval to people who need it. data submitted to regulatory ncies around world are result of a scientifically rigorous and highly ethical research and development program," he ded.

Pfizer Inc CEO Albert Bourla hailed UK government’s approval of its COVID-19 vaccine developed in collaboration with German drugmaker BioNTech as ‘historic moment’. While British government is eyeing to roll out first iculations starting within a few days, chief executive of American pharmaceutical company said that emergency use authorisation in Britain is a major milestone in fight against COVID-19 pandemic and called it a 'historic day'.

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UK's MHRA says ' corners cut' to approve vaccine

CEO of MHRA, Dr June Raine reiterated that “first” priority on immunisation is safety of citizens. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory ncy (MHRA) on December 2 assured that mRNA-based vaccine is 95 per cent effective “irrespective of , sex or race”. 

In news briefing, it was also informed that MHRA is working “hard” to deliver immunisation to all people starting from ones most vulnerable people. MHRA said that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is similar to or vaccines that are developed across world “and side effects are very low” with specific precautions or tests required before iculation. Raine expressed confidence in approval and assured that safety of vaccine has been scrutinised with ' stone being left unturned'.

“We have sought vice of Government's independent body, Commission on Human Medicines who have critically assessed every piece of evidence for Pfizer/BioNtech COVID19 vaccine,” British regulator CEO said before ding, “This vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine) has only been approved because those strict tests have been done and complied with. Everyone can be absolutely confident that corners whatsoever have been cut: UK's medicine regulator MHRA chief Dr June Raine”

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