Pfizer Moves to Phase 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial

A vaccine against the novel coronavirus is being developed in Massachusetts and could be ready by the end of the year.

The Pfizer's Andover Clinical Manufacturing Facility has more than 100 scientists and engineers manufacturing a key component for a vaccine candidate for COVID-19.

"As we continue to fight this virus against COVID-19, a vaccine and a treatment can't come soon enough," said Gov. Charlie Baker during a visit to the research facility on Thursday. "Pfizer is developing one of the most advanced COVID-19 vaccines. Monday, they began Phase 3 of an experimental COVID-19 study that seeks to enroll 30,000 people."

Meg Ruesch, research and development site leader, said Pfizer and German biotech company BioNTech were collaborating on the mRNA vaccine.

Based on the clinical trials that began on Monday, Ruesch said, the hope is to file as early as October for FDA authorization.

The governor also gave his regular update on the progress of the pandemic, noting Wednesday's seeming jump in positive cases of 356 when the numbers had been around 200 or less.

Read more on this and other stories you'll find on iBerkshires.com everyday.