This illustration, taken Nov. 10, 2020, shows syringes in front of a displayed Biontech logo. REUTERS / Dado Ruvic / Illustration
China plans to approve the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Germany’s BioNTech SE (22UAy.DE) by July, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
If approved, it will become the first foreign COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized in the country.
Chinese officials are reviewing clinical trial data for the vaccine and are expected to give consent for household use within 10 weeks, the report said.
BioNTech said in a statement it does not speculate on the timing of approvals.
The National Health Commission of China and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd, which signed a possible supply agreement with the German drug manufacturer for the vaccine in August, did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. (https://reut.rs/2Q8psHJ)
The vaccine, developed in collaboration with Pfizer Inc (PFE.N), has already been approved in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel.
US-listed shares of BioNTech were up 3.3% on Friday to $ 145.4.
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