* CEO Sahin says it is not possible to fully cover the lack of other vaccines
* Says the test of the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine in the UK variant COVID
* You can adjust the vaccine for strong mutations in six weeks
* BioNTech may have more easily stored vaccine until summer (adds BioNTech comment on negotiations with the EU)
BERLIN, Jan. 1 (Reuters) – BioNTech is working together with partner Pfizer to increase production of its COVID-19 vaccine, its founders said, warning that there would be supply gaps until other vaccines are launched.
The German biotech startup led the vaccine race, but its shot took a long time to reach the European Union due to the relatively late approval by the bloc’s health regulator and the small size of the order made by Brussels.
Delays in launching the home vaccine caused consternation in Germany, where some regions had to stop vaccination days after the start of an inoculation campaign.
“At the moment it doesn’t look good – a hole is showing up because there is a lack of other approved vaccines and we have to fill the gap with our own vaccine,” BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin told the weekly Spiegel.
Sahin founded BioNTech with his wife, Oezlem Tuereci, who is the company’s medical director. Both blamed the EU’s decision to spread orders in the expectation that more vaccines would be approved quickly.
The United States ordered 600 million doses of injected BioNTech / Pfizer in July, while the EU waited until November to place an order half that size.
“At some point, it became clear that it would not be possible to deliver so quickly,” Tuereci told Spiegel. “It was too late to place subsequent orders.”
After the publication of the interview, BioNTech said it was in negotiations with Brussels to increase production
“We are in productive discussions with the European Commission on how to make the most of our vaccine in Europe, for Europe,” said a spokeswoman.
NEW PRODUCTION
BioNTech expects to launch a new production line in Marburg, Germany, ahead of schedule in February, with the potential to produce 250 million doses in the first half of 2021, Sahin said.
Talks are also underway with contract manufacturers and there should be greater clarity by the end of January, he added.
Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Twitter that German authorities will do everything possible to allow a quick start in Marburg.
The federal government, which supported BioNTech with 375 million euros ($ 458 million) in funding, resisted calls from opposition leaders to speed up the production of its vaccine by issuing compulsory licenses to other drug makers.
Another Moderna vaccine is due to be released by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on January 6.
Spahn also asked the EMA to quickly approve the Oxford University-AstraZeneca shot released by Britain. The EU’s timetable for such treatment remains uncertain.
This vaccine was approved by the Indian drug regulator on Friday for emergency use, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
VIRAL VARIANT
Sahin said the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine, which uses messenger RNA to instruct the human immune system to fight the coronavirus, must be able to deal with a new, more contagious variant first detected in Britain.
“We are testing whether our vaccine can also neutralize this variant and we will soon know more,” he said.
Asked how to deal with a strong mutation, he said it would be possible to adjust the vaccine as needed in six weeks – although these new treatments may require additional regulatory approvals.
Sahin also said that BioNTech will make its vaccine, which requires storage at minus 70 degrees Celsius (94 Fahrenheit), easier to handle, adding that a next generation vaccine may be ready in late summer. (Reporting by Douglas Busvine Editing by John Stonestreet and David Goodman)