BioNTech Raises Vaccine Sales Forecast by 28% This Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] BioNTech, which co-developed the COVID-19 vaccine with Pfizer, has raised its sales forecast for the COVID-19 vaccine this year to 15.9 billion euros (approximately 21.42 trillion KRW).

On the 9th (local time), BioNTech announced that the supply contract for the COVID-19 vaccine amounts to 2.2 billion doses this year and 1 billion doses thereafter, according to Bloomberg News.

The company initially expected sales from COVID-19 vaccine sales this year to be 12.4 billion euros (approximately 16.7 trillion KRW). However, as the demand for the COVID-19 vaccine continues, it raised the sales forecast by about 28%.

Ugur Sahin, CEO of BioNTech, said, "The COVID-19 vaccine we developed is effective against variants such as the Delta variant that have emerged so far, so we believe there is no need for modification yet," adding, "If additional variants appear in the next six months to one year, modification may be necessary, but not so far."

On the same day, BioNTech reiterated the need for a third dose. ?zlem T?reci, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), said, "To receive the highest level of protection, a third dose should be administered between 6 to 12 months after completing the first and second doses," adding, "The third dose induces a strong neutralizing response against both the Delta and Beta variant viruses."

In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, BioNTech is accelerating the development of various vaccines and cancer treatments using mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) technology. In the third quarter, it plans to start clinical trials for an influenza vaccine based on mRNA technology together with Pfizer. By the end of next year, clinical trials for an mRNA-based malaria vaccine will begin, and plans for cancer vaccine clinical trials are also underway.