Pfizer says it could yet deliver a COVID-19 vaccine in 2020

Pfizer executives express measured optimism over the prospect of providing a coronavirus vaccine in 2020 as the pharma giant reports lower third-quarter profits due to disruption in healthcare that dented drug demand.

Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla says the drug giant could supply some 40 million doses in the United States in 2020 if clinical testing proceeds as expected and regulators approve a vaccine.

“If all goes well, we will be ready to distribute an initial number of doses,” says Bourla, who points to a US government contract for Pfizer to supply 40 million doses by the end of this year and 100 million doses by March 2021.

But Bourla says the company still has not reached key benchmarks in assessing vaccine efficacy. Pfizer has said previously that it could have the data in October.

Bourla says the company expects to file for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine in the third week of November, roughly in line with earlier timetables.

Asked if he is “bullish” the vaccine will work, Bourla says: “I’m not bullish a vaccine will work. I’m cautiously optimistic that the vaccine will work.”