The video mentions Pfizer considering developing its own variant of the COVID-19 virus, and says the vaccine business is a "cash cow" and that regulators are turning a blind eye. The video also identifies the man as Jordon Trishton Walker, Pfizer's head of research and development.
However, the authenticity and objectivity of the viral video remain to be investigated, and the identity of the so-called "Pfizer executive" has yet to be confirmed.
In response, local time on January 27, Pfizer issued a statement denying the claims, and wanted to clarify the facts.
Pfizer: No Covid directed evolution studies have been conducted
In a statement posted on its website, Pfizer noted that it has not conducted functional gain or directed evolution studies in the ongoing development of its Pfizer /BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer conducted studies with collaborators in which the original coronavirus strain was used to express spike proteins from the new strains of concern. Once public health authorities have identified a new variant of concern, Pfizer will do so.
Pfizer said the study provided it with a way to quickly assess the ability of existing vaccines to induce antibodies to neutralize new variants of concern. Pfizer then makes the data available through peer-reviewed scientific journals and uses it as one of the steps in determining whether the vaccine needs to be updated.
In addition, in order to meet U.S. and global regulatory requirements for Pfizer's oral treatment Paxlovid, Pfizer conducted in vitro work (such as in laboratory petri dishes) to identify potential resistance mutations to Nematavir, one of the two components of Paxlovid.
Pfizer notes that it is important to regularly evaluate the activity of antivirals for naturally evolving viruses. Much of this work was carried out using computer simulations or mutations in the main protease (the non-infectious part of the virus). In rare cases, when intact viruses do not contain any known gain-of-function mutations, such viruses can be engineered to assess antiviral activity in cells.
Pfizer said the studies were required by US and global regulators for all antiviral products and were conducted by many companies and academic institutions in the US and around the world.
Finally, Pfizer emphasizes that fact-based information rooted in sound science is critical to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic and remains committed to transparency and helping to reduce the devastating burden of this disease.
CEO: Working on vaccine to protect against COVID-19 for 1 year
Comirnaty and Paxlovid are two of Pfizer's most high-profile products, and they have generated significant financial gains.
According to Pfizer's third-quarter 2022 earnings report, COVID-19 already accounts for more than half of the company's revenue. The company's revenue for the first three quarters of last year was $76 billion, up $19.6 billion. The total revenue of COVID-19 vaccines was 26.477 billion U.S. dollars, and the revenue of COVID-19 oral medicines was 17.199 billion U.S. dollars.
Pfizer also raised its 2022 revenue guidance for COVID-19 vaccines to $34 billion from $32 billion, while its guidance for COVID-19 oral drugs remains at $22 billion.
However, with the regular prevention and control of the epidemic, the COVID-19 vaccine business is likely to see a rapid decline in 2023, which is also a practical problem that Pfizer has to think about and solve.
Recently, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum that the coronavirus could be here to stay and that Pfizer is working to develop a vaccine that will last a year. In addition, Pfizer is also studying the long-term after-effects of COVID-19 and complications after infection, he said.
Abbreus also said last year that 2023 would be a critical year for Pfizer, with as many as 10 new products likely to hit the market. Over the next 18 months, Pfizer expects to receive up to 18 regulatory approvals, 15 key clinical data readouts, and 19 POC clinical data readouts. These include blockbuster products, including a bivalent RSV candidate for the elderly and a 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine for children.
Pfizer expects potential revenue from non-COVID-19 drugs to reach $84 billion in 2030.
