Biontech Se Sponsored Adr (BNTX), Pfizer Inc (PFE) announced an update on their ongoing clinical study.
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modRNA shingles pursuit from Pfizer and BioNTech now centers on the terminated Phase 1/2 study formally titled “A PHASE 1/2 RANDOMIZED, OBSERVER-BLIND STUDY TO EVALUATE THE SAFETY, TOLERABILITY, AND IMMUNOGENICITY OF A MODIFIED RNA VACCINE AGAINST VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS,” which aimed to show safer, flexible protection for adults 50 to 85 and to validate a fresh revenue stream in shingles prevention.
The trial compared multiple versions of the VZV modRNA shot (PF-07915234, PF-07921188, PF-07921186) against Shingrix to confirm whether a lighter, faster modRNA regimen could match or beat the incumbent standard.
Participants were randomly split in sequential cohorts under observer blinding, ensuring patients and site teams stayed unaware of assignments, while the sponsor ran open-label oversight; the primary goal stayed prevention of shingles by checking immune response and tolerability.
Activity began in January 2023, but after the February 2, 2026 update the program sits terminated, leaving the prior primary-completion target in 2025 and estimated full wrap near 2028 unachieved, underscoring a strategic pause.
For investors, the discontinuation of this shingles shot reduces near-term optionality for Pfizer/BioNTech in adult vaccines just as GSK’s Shingrix keeps building share, so sentiment may soften until management signals a pivot to other modRNA opportunities or replacement assets.
Study status: terminated/updated; see ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest details.
To learn more about BNTX’s potential, visit the Biontech Se Sponsored Adr drug pipeline page.