"Pfizer Inc. said a global late-stage trial evaluating its Covid-19 vaccine is almost fully enrolled with participants, as its chief executive called for patience as researchers advance in collecting trial results.
The drugmaker hasn't yet conducted the first review of whether its experimental vaccine works safely.
Pfizer's Phase 3 trial seeking 44,000 volunteers needs fewer than 2,000 people to be fully enrolled, the company said Tuesday while announcing third-quarter earnings. The New York-based company also said that nearly 36,000 people in the trial received their second injection of either the two-dose vaccine or a placebo.
Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine, which it is developing in partnership with Germany's BioNTech SE, is among the most advanced shots from pharmaceutical companies working to help stem the global pandemic.
"We have reached the last mile," Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla said on a conference with analysts discussing earnings. "Let's all have the patience required for something so important for public health and the global economy."
Mr. Bourla reiterated the time line he laid out earlier this month for the vaccine's potential rollout. He said Pfizer could file for an emergency authorization to put the vaccine into initial public use in late November, assuming positive trial results -- suggesting shots could be made available in the U.S. before the end of the year.
Mr. Bourla said that Pfizer, which is ramping up manufacturing capabilities, will be able to meet its commitment to provide 100 million doses in the U.S. by March, and to deliver about 40 million by the end of this year." [1]
1. Business News: Pfizer Late-Stage Vaccine Trial Nearly Set --- Covid study enrollment close to done; CEO is cautious but says use possible by year-end
Hopkins, Jared S; Grossman, Matt. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]28 Oct 2020: B.5.