Pfizer and BioNTech started testing a combined flu and Covid vaccine on Thursday, helping BNTX stock wipe out earlier Moderna-inspired losses.
The first-phase study will combine Pfizer's influenza shot with the companies' updated Covid shot. In this case, the flu vaccine aims to protect against four strains, while the Covid vaccine has been updated to protect against two omicron variants and the original Covid-causing virus.
Combining the two vaccines could improve uptake, says Annaliesa Anderson, Pfizer's chief scientific officer of vaccine research and development. Today, less than 9% of adults in the U.S. have received an updated bivalent Covid booster from either Pfizer and Moderna.
"Even with existing seasonal influenza vaccines, the burden of this virus is severe across the world causing thousands of deaths and hospitalizations every year," she said in a written statement. "This is an exciting step in our ongoing journey with BioNTech as we collectively look to transform the prevention of infectious diseases around the world."
On the stock market today, BNTX stock jumped 2.6% to 145.25. That helped pare a deep 5.3% dive earlier in the day after Moderna cut its outlook for 2022 sales. Pfizer stock stayed in the red, however, and fell a fraction to 46.57.
BNTX Stock: Limited Products — So Far
Uptake of Covid vaccines is critical for BioNTech's future, at this point. The Pfizer-partnered vaccine and boosters are currently BioNTech's only products.
There's nothing that prevents someone from getting an updated Covid booster with a flu shot. But a single shot is likely to be more appetizing for recipients.
"By combining both indications in one vaccine approach, we aim to provide individuals with an efficient way to receive immunization against two severe respiratory diseases with evolving viruses that require vaccine adaptation," BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin said in a written statement.
BioNTech is on deck to report its third-quarter earnings before the stock market opens on Monday. BNTX stock analysts call for sales to tumble 71% to $2.04 billion. Adjusted earnings are also expected to fall.
Though analysts expect BioNTech to be profitable in the near future, they believe sales peaked last year. Next year, they call for sales to be half what they were in 2021.
Follow Allison Gatlin on Twitter at @IBD_AGatlin.
