|
楼主 |
发表于 2020-12-8 04:07 PM
|
显示全部楼层
Pfizer Stock Rallies As FDA Appears To Support Covid Vaccine Approval
FacebookTwitterLinkedInShare Licensing
ALLISON GATLIN01:51 PM ET 12/08/2020
Pfizer stock climbed higher Tuesday after Food and Drug Administration documents appeared to support authorizing its coronavirus vaccine.
In the documents, the FDA concluded the vaccine "met the prescribed success criteria" in a clinical study. The agency posted the documents ahead of an upcoming advisory committee meeting.
The advisory committee will meet Thursday to discuss the benefits and risks of the vaccine developed by Pfizer (PFE) and partner BioNTech (BNTX), then vote on whether to recommend authorization.
Although the committee's vote isn't binding, it does carry some weight at the FDA. Mizuho Securities analyst Vamil Divan expects the FDA to grant Pfizer's vaccine an emergency use authorization, or EUA. This allows an experimental drug to be sold in times of emergency.
"Given the vaccine's profile and the urgent unmet need that exists, we expect the committee to support granting an EUA at Thursday's meeting and believe the FDA will grant EUA within the next week or so," Divan said in a report to clients.
Pfizer Stock: Vaccine Is Highly Effective
In afternoon trading on the stock market today, Pfizer stock rose 2.4% near 42.20. BioNTech stock added 1.5% near 127.60.
In its final-phase test, Pfizer said the coronavirus vaccine was 95% effective. That blew past FDA requirements for at least 50% effectiveness. Experts widely expected 70% effectiveness. In the weeks since then, Pfizer stock has gained 13.3% as of Monday's close.
The coronavirus vaccine is given in two doses several weeks apart. It appears, according to the documents, that the vaccine could be 98%-99% effective if people stay extra cautious for three weeks after getting the second shot, Evercore ISI analyst Umer Raffat said.
Out of 162 cases of Covid-19 in Pfizer's study, eight among those who received the drug contracted the virus. But most of these cases happened within seven to 14 days of observation. This is when the body is still launching its immune response, Raffat said in his note to clients.
He kept his outperform rating on Pfizer stock.
It's notable, however, that four cases of Bell's Palsy occurred in participants who received the vaccine. That's in line with population statistics, Raffat said. However, none of the cases occurred in the placebo group. There were also 64 cases of swollen lymph nodes in the vaccine group and just six in the placebo group.
First Coronavirus Vaccine In U.K.
Assuming authorization, Pfizer will face distribution hurdles, Credit Suisse's Divan said. The coronavirus vaccine must be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, making its distribution tricky |
|