AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Source: insta_photosy, Shutterstock
Summary
- The future of vaccines will depend on several factors such as efficacy of next-generation vaccines, logistical, and distribution issues, fast-tracking approvals and latest innovations and technology.
- Efficacy of second-generation vaccines targeting mutations will indicate the growth potential of drug companies.
As new strains emerge and vaccination drives gain momentum and more vaccine candidates await approvals, the future of vaccines will depend on key factors such as efficacy of new variant focused booster shots, addressing logistical bottlenecks, speed of regulatory approvals and new technology.
Sharon Peacock, Director of UK’s coronavirus sequencing group Covid-19 Genomics UK, said that regular booster shots will be required to combat covid-19 variants. However, due to the development in vaccine innovation, the booster doses could be developed at the same pace and made available for mass vaccination.
Copyright © 2021 Kalkine Media Pty Ltd.
Next-generation vaccines
Vaccine boosters have the dual function of improving the immunity response to the original virus strain and in targeting emerging mutations of the covid-19 virus.
US-based healthcare giant Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) announced on 10 March it had started human trials in phase 2 clinical study by giving booster shots targeting the new South African variant. The company’s (NASDAQ:MRNA) stock prices closed at US$136.99, down by 2.48 per cent on Friday, while the broader index Nasdaq composite was down by 0.59 per cent at 13,319.86 for the same period.
Moreover, the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine has also been found to be effective against the South African strain. Biontech’s shares (NASDAQ: BNTX) closed at USD 103.28, up by 0.66 per cent on Friday, while Pfizer’s (NYSE: PFE) ended at 34.94 USD, up by 0.66 per cent.
Analysts expect that the efficacy of the booster shots tackling the new variant will determine the upside potential of vaccine development companies.
Logistical concerns
Vaccine availability has been a major bottleneck in the EU. British-Swedish company AstraZeneca Plc (LON:AZN) faced bans from Italy earlier this month due to its ongoing vaccine supply challenges in the EU.
The pharma company’s shares were trading at GBX 6,962.00, up by 0.16 per cent on 15 March at 10:25 AM GMT+1, while the FTSE 100 stood at 6,785.96, up by 0.36 per cent for the same period.
Also read: EU faces AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine shortage amid manufacturing concerns
An EU-based incubator for second generation vaccines, HERA incubator, is set to be launched on 17 March. The programme will include labs, researchers and other stakeholders to tackle new variants. The move comes as the EU is facing slow vaccine roll-puts due to delayed deliveries.
Mass vaccination sites is another distribution strategy that can help speed up roll outs, as existing healthcare centres are not sufficient for rapid inoculation.
Fast-tracking approvals
Last week, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency announced its plans to fast track approvals for the vaccines targeting newer strains, similar to the influenza vaccines. The move comes as the economy is set to open up after lockdown restrictions ease in the UK.
US-based drug-maker Novovax (NASDAQ:NVAX) reported an efficacy of 96.4 per cent against the original strain, 86.3 percent efficacy against the UK variant and a 55.4 per cent against the South African variant in a UK trial. Shares of the company closed at US$202.77, up by 8.07 per cent following the announcement. The company plans to gain regulatory approvals from US and UK regulators.
While US-based multinational company Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) received approvals for mass roll outs in February. The company’s (NYSE:JNJ) shares closed at US$159.60, up by 0.30 per cent on Friday.
Technology and innovation
Vaccine technology and innovation is expected to streamline delivery methods and simplify cold storage problems . According to the Soumya Swaminathan, leading scientist at WHO, new types of vaccines will not require needles and don’t need a cold storage facility for use by later this year or in 2022. Swaminathan added that up to six to eight such new vaccines are set to undergo review by end of 2021.
