Can BioNTech's breakout year continue in 2022? Yes, due to COVID vaccine and pipeline
Dec. 29, 2021 11:23 AMBioNTech SE (BNTX)RHHBY, PFEBy: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
Headquarters of the company Biontech in Mainz, Germany
U. J. Alexander/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
With a year-to-date return of 196% as of yesterday, BioNTech (BNTX -0.8%) has had a spectacular 2021.
Of course, the German biotech's fortunes were made due to its COVID-19 vaccine developed in partnership with Pfizer (PFE -0.4%).
As of Nov. 2, BioNTech and Pfizer delivered 2B COVID doses. The companies say they can deliver up to 4B doses in 2022.
For the nine months ended Sept. 30, BioNTech booked ~€2.6 ($2.9B) in direct COVID vaccine sales.
While revenue from its COVID-19 vaccine will continue to be high in 2022, there is no guarantee that the frenzy of orders will continue at the same level as seen in 2021.
This will likely put pressure on BioNTech to find new revenue streams going forward to avoid relying on its COVID vaccine.
The good news for BioNTech is that it has a healthy pipeline of candidates focused on oncology and infectious diseases that could reap dividends in the coming years.
Its most advanced candidates are mRNA cancer immunotherapies. BNT111 and BNT113, for, respectively, advanced melanoma, and head and neck cancer are both in phase 2. Both utilize the company's FixVac platform of a fixed combination of shared cancer antigens.
BNT111 was buoyed last month after the FDA granted the candidate Fast Track status.
Another mRNA oncology candidate, BNY122 (autogene cevumeran) is also in phase 2 for first-line melanoma and adjuvant colorectal cancer. BioNTech is partnered with Roche's (OTCQX:RHHBY -0.2%) Genentech unit on BNT122.
Check out Seeking Alpha contributor JR Research's recent assessment of BioNTech and whether investors should add shares.
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