As a precautionary measure, German vaccine company Biontech has begun developing a customized vaccine while researching the properties of a new strain of coronavirus omicron, the company said on Monday.
“In order not to waste time, we are running these two tasks in parallel until data is available and we have more information on whether or not vaccines need to be adapted,” a spokeswoman for Biontech told DPA on Monday.
The work on both tasks partially coincides.
“We immediately began research into the omicron type,” the company said. “We have also taken initial steps to develop a potentially new vaccine, and this overlaps in part with laboratory research.”
Data from current laboratory tests will soon provide an indication of whether the vaccine will need to be adapted if this variant spreads internationally.
The company expects preliminary results by the end of the week.
Biontech has been working with its US partner Pfizer for months to adapt the existing vaccine within six weeks if a new strain spreads rapidly around the world.
The aim of the preparations is to provide the first batch of adapted vaccine within 100 days.
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