Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX) today announced they have completed a submission to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for an Omicron-adapted bivalent COVID-19 vaccine candidate, based on the BA.1 sub-lineage, for individuals 12 years of age and older. This application follows guidance from the EMA and International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) to work towards introducing an Omicron-adapted bivalent vaccine candidate to address the continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2.

The companies' previously announced safety, tolerability and immunogenicity data from a Phase 2/3 trial that found a 30 µg booster dose of the Omicron-adapted bivalent vaccine candidate elicited a superior immune response against Omicron BA.1 as compared to the companies’ current COVID-19 vaccine. The bivalent vaccine candidate was well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile.

Pfizer and BioNTech previously shared these data with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support a potential variant-adapted vaccine and continue to submit additional data as advised by the agency.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which is based on BioNTech’s proprietary mRNA technology, was developed by both BioNTech and Pfizer. BioNTech is the Marketing Authorization Holder in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries, and the holder of emergency use authorizations or equivalents in the United States (jointly with Pfizer) and other countries. Submissions to pursue regulatory approvals in those countries where emergency use authorizations or equivalent were initially granted are planned.