EU's drug regulator says Pfizer Covid vaccine can be stored at regular freezer temperature

European Union’s drug regulators approved stor of Pfizer/BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine at rmal freezer temperatures for a short period of time. This is based on data showing stability at recommended temperatures in standard pharmaceutical freezers. According to a press release by Pfizer, “ new data is a testament to companies’ ongoing commitment to developing this vaccine furr and collecting data in order to support broader and more flexible vaccine distribution and iculation”.

Ugur Sahin, CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech said, “From beginning our goal was to make our vaccine broadly available to people around world. This approval by EMA will enable us to access important additional channels to distribute and administer our vaccine. It comes at an important point in time, as governments w have more flexibility to move from iculations in vaccination centers to a more decentralized vaccine roll-out through local doctors and general practitioners to accelerate our path out of pandemic”.

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which uses mRNA techlogy, was first approved in UK. Its inability has been a major hurdle for distribution efforts. Vaccine doses are shipped in specially-designed containers that must be topped up with dry ice every five days and once it arrives at a clinic, it can be kept in a fridge for only five days. se stringent requirements have complicated vaccine rollout. 

Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer said, “We appreciate collaboration with EMA and or regulatory ncies around world as we work to ensure our vaccine can be shipped and stored under increasingly flexible conditions”. He added, “This new stor option in Europe will help make vaccine even more accessible to people across continent, ar important step as we continue our global fight against this virus”.

Phase I trial of an anti-COVID-19 pill

In ar significant development, Pfizer has initiated Phase I trial of an anti-COVID-19 pill that could be given to patients showing early signs of illness. According to Pfizer, pill could be used in early treatment of COVID-19 disease and to address future coronavirus threats. Pfizer has said that oral candidate PF-07321332 has shown positive signs in lab tests against SARS-CoV-2. Pfizer has said that potential oral rapy will complement vaccines and could be used on patients who have been iculated but become COVID-19 positive. 

As per Pfizer, Phase I trial of potential oral candidate PF-07321332 is being conducted in United States. preclinical studies have demonstrated that drug holds potential to stop virus from replicating and developing into a more serious infection. structure of PF-07321332, toger with preclinical data, will be shared in a COVID-19 session of Spring American Chemical Society meeting on April 6, Pfizer said.

(Im Credits: AP/Pixabay)