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The BioNTech and Pfizer Positive Covid-19 Phase 3 Vaccine Data Comes With an Important Canadian Connection
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Vancouver, BC, November 19, 2020--(T-Net)--BioNTech and Pfizer have announced positive efficacy data from an interim analysis of their Phase 3 COVID-19 trial results (https://bit.ly/2IkUgki). Based on this interim analysis, the vaccine was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19. Phase 3 of the trial encompassed testing the vaccine for safety and efficacy on 43,538 people around the world.
This exciting news comes with a strong Canadian connection: A Vancouver-based biotechnology company, Acuitas Therapeutics, plays a key role in the development of this urgently needed messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine.
Acuitas Therapeutics has a global reputation for their work in developing lipid nanoparticles (LNP) - tiny "delivery vehicles" that protect the mRNA vaccine after it is injected.
Acuitas' proprietary LNP carry the mRNA. In simple terms, it takes the mRNA safely through the body and delivers it into our cells, placing it exactly where it needs to be. The Acuitas LNP delivery system is a key component of mRNA vaccines.
"The announcement of positive interim results in the BioNTech and Pfizer Phase 3 COVID-19 trial is great news for the world. This is a devastating and deadly virus, and this news means that - upon regulatory approvals - the ability for a vaccine to be available globally is much closer. While it will take time for regulatory approvals in each country and for enough of the vaccine to be produced, distributed and administered to people, this is a big step forward in ending this pandemic," said Acuitas Therapeutics President and CEO, Dr. Thomas Madden.
He added, "The quality of the data from this large trial speaks to the efficacy and safety of this vaccine. We are honoured that our proprietary LNP was used in this urgently needed vaccine by our partner, BioNTech. We are excited that this clinical data shows us that this vaccine will help us to eradicate COVID-19, a horrific virus that has taken 1.2 million lives worldwide and has devastated families and communities in every corner of the world."
About Acuitas Therapeutics
Founded in February 2009, Vancouver-based Acuitas Therapeutics (www.acuitastx.com) is a private biotechnology company that specializes in the development of delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics based on lipid nanoparticles. The company partners with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology organizations and academic institutes to advance nucleic acid therapeutics to the clinical trial phase and to the marketplace.
The team works with partners to develop new therapies to address unmet clinical needs based on its internationally recognized capabilities in delivery technology. Acuitas Therapeutics has agreements in place for their proprietary lipid nanotechnology to be used in the development of several COVID-19 vaccines - with BioNTech now announcing interim results from their Phase 3 trial and moving to request Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Other collaborators include CureVac, which has published Phase 1 clinical studies data (https://bit.ly/3kixneF), and Imperial College London, which is currently in a Phase 1 study.
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