Infectious diseases
Beyond COVID-19: BioNTech’s comprehensive approach to infectious diseases
At BioNTech, we are committed to continue addressing the global health challenges posed by infectious diseases. Leveraging our cutting-edge technology and expertise in immunology, we aim to develop innovative vaccines and therapeutics to overcome emerging and existing infectious diseases. Through targeted investments in mRNA- and protein-based infectious disease programs, we seek to fill substantial high and/or unmet medical needs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
We believe that the mRNA technology behind our COVID-19 vaccine has the potential to address a range of other infectious diseases.
Our infectious disease programs
As a science-driven company, we are dedicated to continuously exploring new opportunities and innovative approaches to effectively address infectious diseases, including the development of candidates in the indications outlined below.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak, officially declared a pandemic in March 2020, has led to over 775 million reported cases and 7 million deaths worldwide. BioNTech responded swiftly, pioneering the first mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine and subsequently developing variant-adapted versions to meet the evolving threat. We are also advancing next-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidates and working on combination candidates that target both influenza and COVID-19.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affected an estimated 10.8 million people and claimed the lives of approximately 1.25 million people in 2023, making it one of the top 10 causes of deaths worldwide. This contagious disease is especially devastating due to its severe symptoms, which include persistent cough, chest pain, fever, weight loss, and its potential to be fatal if left untreated. BioNTech is advancing a vaccine candidate designed to prevent tuberculosis.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (“HIV”) affected approximately 39.9 million people and resulted in over 630,000 deaths globally in 2023. It remains a significant health challenge due to its ability to progressively weaken the immune system, making patients susceptible to infections and certain cancers. BioNTech is developing a vaccine candidate against HIV.
Vaccine and therapeutic candidates for other high or unmet medical need indications
Our mRNA-based vaccines and vaccine candidates could offer several benefits in fighting infectious diseases, including shorter manufacturing times, which may enable the ability to quickly address emerging variants. Alongside efforts in COVID-19, tuberculosis and HIV, BioNTech is currently advancing other vaccine candidates, for example against Herpes Simplex Virus (“HSV”) and mpox.
Additionally, we are developing novel approaches to bacterial infections through synthetic lysin candidates which have the potential1 to improve the standard of care and tackle one of modern medicine’s greatest challenges: antibiotic resistance.
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Pipeline
Clinical trials
Platforms
Source
1 Landlinger C et al., Preclinical Data on the Gardnerella-Specific Endolysin PM-477 Indicate Its Potential to Improve the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis through Enhanced Biofilm Removal and Avoidance of Resistance. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (2022)
