Why Ultra-Cold Storage and Two-Dose Shots Could Spell A Logistical Nightmare for Pfizer
Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine candidate comes with two hurdles that might give its competitors an edge.
Corinne Cardina(TMFccardina)
Nov 22, 2020 at 6:53AM
Pfizer (NYSE
FE) and its German partner BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX) reported incredible efficacy data from a phase 3 trial for their mRNA coronavirus vaccine candidate. This news, paired with the equally impressive data from Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) about its candidate that takes a similar approach, inspired much hope around the world and injected optimism into the stock market.
The Motley Fool talked to Dr. Leo Nissola about some challenges that could temper the enthusiasm around Pfizer's vaccine candidate.
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Before you consider Pfizer Inc., you'll want to hear this.
Investing legends and Motley Fool Co-founders David and Tom Gardner just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Pfizer Inc. wasn't one of them.
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Corinne Cardina: You mentioned there's still a lot of things that we don't know. I think one of the things that people are concerned about, particularly as it relates to the mRNA vaccine is the cold chain. These specific types of vaccines, they have to be kept ultra cold. That means that your neighborhood pharmacy won't necessarily have the right refrigeration to distribute these. Do you have any thoughts about how we should be thinking about distribution of these mRNA vaccines if they come to fruition?
Dr. Leo Nissola: Yeah. It's big challenge logistically to deliver a vaccine for 330 million Americans. Let alone a vaccine that requires that. Those are two logistical nightmares. The fact that it requires refrigeration, I'm not that concerned about for many reasons. In cancer research, we use drugs and molecules that require quite the preparation for them. We are able to deliver that to patients across the country in clinical trials. Pharmaceutical companies have been doing this for a very long time. Of course, it's not your flu vaccine that you can just walk around the corner. We are first stepping into the realm of coronavirus' vaccines for COVID-19. That said, what worries me more, it's not the logistical hurdle of delivery of vaccine that requires refrigeration, but what concerns me more, is who's going to get this vaccine first and how we're going to prioritize the populations that should receive the vaccine in the first beginning of the distribution. Is that going to be healthcare workers? Is that going to be essential workers? Are we going to give it to elderly and high-risk populations? Right now, I think the country demands bold experimentation then, the same goes with science. We have to try and sometimes, it fails and sometimes we get it right. Pfizer really is saying there is a 90% chance of being right, I'm very hopeful. I think we should all cherish this potential good news.
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Corinne Cardina has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine candidate comes with two hurdles that might give its competitors an edge.
Corinne Cardina(TMFccardina)
Nov 22, 2020 at 6:53AM
Pfizer (NYSE
FE) and its German partner BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX) reported incredible efficacy data from a phase 3 trial for their mRNA coronavirus vaccine candidate. This news, paired with the equally impressive data from Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) about its candidate that takes a similar approach, inspired much hope around the world and injected optimism into the stock market. The Motley Fool talked to Dr. Leo Nissola about some challenges that could temper the enthusiasm around Pfizer's vaccine candidate.
Where to invest $1,000 right now
Before you consider Pfizer Inc., you'll want to hear this.
Investing legends and Motley Fool Co-founders David and Tom Gardner just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Pfizer Inc. wasn't one of them.
The online investing service they've run for nearly two decades, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has beaten the stock market by over 4X.* And right now, they think there are 10 stocks that are better buys.
See the 10 stocks
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 20, 2020
Corinne Cardina: You mentioned there's still a lot of things that we don't know. I think one of the things that people are concerned about, particularly as it relates to the mRNA vaccine is the cold chain. These specific types of vaccines, they have to be kept ultra cold. That means that your neighborhood pharmacy won't necessarily have the right refrigeration to distribute these. Do you have any thoughts about how we should be thinking about distribution of these mRNA vaccines if they come to fruition?
Dr. Leo Nissola: Yeah. It's big challenge logistically to deliver a vaccine for 330 million Americans. Let alone a vaccine that requires that. Those are two logistical nightmares. The fact that it requires refrigeration, I'm not that concerned about for many reasons. In cancer research, we use drugs and molecules that require quite the preparation for them. We are able to deliver that to patients across the country in clinical trials. Pharmaceutical companies have been doing this for a very long time. Of course, it's not your flu vaccine that you can just walk around the corner. We are first stepping into the realm of coronavirus' vaccines for COVID-19. That said, what worries me more, it's not the logistical hurdle of delivery of vaccine that requires refrigeration, but what concerns me more, is who's going to get this vaccine first and how we're going to prioritize the populations that should receive the vaccine in the first beginning of the distribution. Is that going to be healthcare workers? Is that going to be essential workers? Are we going to give it to elderly and high-risk populations? Right now, I think the country demands bold experimentation then, the same goes with science. We have to try and sometimes, it fails and sometimes we get it right. Pfizer really is saying there is a 90% chance of being right, I'm very hopeful. I think we should all cherish this potential good news.
Trending
Corinne Cardina has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Accessibility Policy Copyright, Trademark and Patent Information Terms and Conditions Google Privacy and Terms
© 1995 - 2020 The Motley Fool. All rights reserved.
Market data powered by FactSet and Web Financial Group.
