The syringes are seen in front of a Biontech logo shown in this illustration from November 10, 2020. REUTERS / Dado Ruvic / Illustration
China plans to authorize 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 would become the first foreign COVID-19 vaccine authorized in the country.
Chinese officials are reviewing data from vaccine clinical trials and are expected to authorize it for home use in the next 10 weeks, according to the report.
BioNTech said in a statement that it does not speculate on the timing of the approvals.
The National Health Commission of China and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., which signed a potential supply agreement with the German pharmacist in August for the vaccine, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters . (https://reut.rs/2Q8psHJ)
The vaccine, developed in collaboration with Pfizer Inc. (PFE.N), is already approved in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel.
U.S.-listed BioNTech shares rose 3.3% to $ 145.4 on Friday.
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