Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and BioNTech SE (BNTX) announced on Friday the top-line results from their Phase 3 clinical trial assessing the efficacy of their combined mRNA vaccine candidate against both influenza and COVID-19 in healthy individuals aged 18-64.
This combination candidate merges Pfizer's mRNA-based influenza vaccine with the companies' already licensed COVID-19 vaccine.
The Phase 3 trial focused on two primary immunogenicity objectives: effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B. Of these objectives, one was successfully met.
In a separate Phase 2 trial, Pfizer evaluated trivalent influenza mRNA standalone vaccine candidates, which showcased robust immunogenicity in individuals between the ages of 18-64.
The companies are now contemplating modifications to the combination vaccine to enhance immune responses against influenza B and plan to discuss forthcoming steps with health authorities.