Your Guide to a COVID-free Home

Pasig City, Philippines – January 19, 2022 – Once again, the Department of Health (DOH) categorized the Philippines as a “high risk” country for the COVID-19 virus*. As the number of cases spikes and the positivity rate increases by the day, there’s no doubt that the highly contagious Omicron variant plays a part. 

In response to the current situation, the government has raised the alert level status in some parts of the country and continues its vaccination efforts. And while we can further increase our body’s protection by getting a booster shot against the coronavirus, it’s vital to remain vigilant for the sake of everyone in your household.  

  

But how can you make your home clean and safe from the threats of the said virus, especially the Omicron strain? Here are some tips from Clorox Philippines, one of the country’s leading providers of cleaning and disinfecting products.  

  

Watch out for COVID-19 symptoms. The general symptoms of COVID-19 and its variants differ, let alone from the common flu. It’s critical that you familiarize yourself or at least be knowledgeable of their distinct indicators so you will know the next step you should take for your family’s safety. 

  

If a family member has symptoms of COVID-19, isolate them immediately and undergo an antigen or RT-PCR test to confirm. 

  

Regularly clean and disinfect your home. While cleaning and disinfecting take a lot of time and effort, it’s never wrong to apply extra safety measures now that the threat of the Omicron strain is growing. It will also help keep your household members free from bacteria and other viruses that may cause different kinds of sickness. 

  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cleaning alone with the assistance of a household cleaner can already eliminate most of the COVID-19 virus on your surfaces and decrease existing germs in your home. Remember that it’s always essential to disinfect if you have COVID-infected family members to prevent the spread of the virus. 

  

Frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces. High-touch surfaces are the surfaces we usually touch with our hands. Whether inside or outside our homes, these surfaces may be contaminated and exposed to different bacteria and viruses, especially the COVID-19 virus, as multiple people touch them several times a day. For that reason, disinfecting these surfaces should be a part of your daily safety protocols.  

  

At your home, always disinfect your doorknobs, doorbells, light switches, countertops, tables, everyday carry-ons, gadgets, toys, and deliveries. And when you’re outside, remember to disinfect surfaces in shared transportations, your workplace, public spaces, and even ATMs. 

  

Make cleaning and disinfecting easier with Clorox Cleaners. Now, to help you clean and disinfect easier and effectively, especially if you have COVID-hit members, there’s no better and trusted companion than Clorox Cleaners. For your home’s different surfaces, whether it’s made of synthetic marble, stainless steel, glazed ceramic tile, plastic, glazed porcelain, or sealed granite, wipe them clean with the power of Clorox All-Purpose Cleaner, a bleach-free cleaner that’s proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including the COVID-19 virus*.  

 

 

 

Clorox Disinfecting Bleach, on the other hand, can be used to wash down your laundry or to clean and disinfect your other surfaces, like your house’s floors. And for your bathroom, you can utilize Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner. These two cleaners can also eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. 

 

Then, don’t forget to use Clorox Expert Disinfectant Spray for a 30-second sanitization of the soft and hard surfaces in your house. Capable of also removing 99.9% of bacteria, fungus, and viruses including the COVID-19 virus*, you and your family can say goodbye to your home’s germs and odors.  

 

Lastly, make it a one-minute habit to wipe down the high-touch surfaces inside and outside your home with Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes. In just one step, you will be able to clean and disinfect your surfaces, killing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including the COVID-19 virus*. (Follow Clorox Cleaners’ usage instructions as per label.) 

 

 

 

“At Clorox, we always believe that everyone should feel safe in their homes. With our Clorox Cleaners, we hope to help provide Filipino families that kind of comfort, even with the Omicron threat. Let’s always remain vigilant by regularly cleaning and disinfecting our homes to keep our loved ones safe and sound,” said Monique Gonzalez, marketing manager for Clorox Southeast Asia. 

Shopee celebrates Mother’s Day with the official launch of Shopee Mom’s Club

MANILA, MAY 5, 2020 - Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches Shopee Mom’s Club, an exclusive one-stop-shop membership group dedicated to helping Filipino mothers and mothers-to-be in their parenting journeys. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, Shopee gives thanks to all Filipino mothers with exclusive deals and discounts

What are the perks of being a part of the Shopee Mom’s Club?

  - Free Sign-up: To become a Shopee Mom, all mothers have to do is fill up the online application form and they will receive amazing offers such as:

• A PHP100 welcome voucher
• Exclusive brand discounts of up to 35%

 - Free vouchers: Registered members of Shopee Mom’s Club will enjoy free shipping vouchers monthly and exclusive brand vouchers up to 35% off for everyday essentials, including toys, diapers, and milk formulas. Members can also get early access to upcoming promotions from established brands like Lactum, Johnson & Johnson, Uni-Care, and Huggies.

 - Best prices and exclusive deals on essentials at Shopee Mom’s Club sale: All Filipino mothers can take advantage of the Shopee Mom’s Club sale to get all their essentials. From May 6 - 10, members can enjoy discounts up to 80% off, an extra Free Shipping voucher, and a brand discount voucher at the Shopee Mom’s Club sale.

- A chance to be part of a community that focuses on nurturing each other: Shopee Mom’s Club serves as an online community where mothers can get practical information on baby care basics to toddler no-no’s. They can also connect and learn from other moms via Shopee Moms Viber Community by sharing their experiences in their parenting journeys.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing, Shopee Philippines said: “Being a mother is not easy, especially during this period, where they have to strike a delicate balance between work and family. We want to show our gratitude to all Filipino mothers for their hard work and dedication with the official launch of Shopee Mom’s Club just in time for Mother’s Day. This initiative serves as a comprehensive support system to meet the key needs of mothers as well as build a community for mothers to connect and support each other.”

With Shopee Mom’s Club serving as a one-stop-shop for exclusive deals -- getting the best price for mommy essentials has never been this easy and fun. Mothers can look out for exciting deals and promotions at the Shopee Mom’s Club sale.

Mothers who want to sign up for this exclusive club and be part of this amazing journey can do so at https://shopee.ph/m/mom-club.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support. Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.

Shopee has a wide selection of product categories ranging from consumer electronics to home & living, health & beauty, baby & toys, fashion and fitness equipment.

Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sea is a leader in digital entertainment, e-commerce and digital financial services across Southeast Asia. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol SE.

Supporting Strong Connectivity While Staying Home with Converge ICT

With most of the population working from home, the country’s workforce is relying on fast internet connection and efficient productivity tools. That is why fastest growing internet service provider Converge ICT is resuming their operations in Metro Manila and select areas in North Luzon to power hundreds of Filipino households relying on their broadband service.
To protect both their employees and consumers, installer personnel will be covered with protective masks and all paraphernalia and vehicles will be fully sanitized before being taken out for service.

On their part, employees are given temporary lodging near their office, sanitation kits with alcohol, gloves, and masks, and vitamins to boost their immune system. They are also provided with food to minimize their mobility and undergo daily temperature checks.
“We, at Converge, are a firm believer in acting together in these challenging times to provide the best service for Filipinos. As we all adapt into the new normal homes and select businesses should get the extensive resources and support to be online. We will do what we can to provide strong connectivity because more than ever now, we need to stay connected with loved ones, friends and colleagues that we can only see virtually,” said Dennis Uy, Founder of Converge ICT Solutions.

“The health and safety of our people is paramount, so we are implementing necessary measures to keep them from harm’s way. We know that through this we are able to extend outstanding service to our customers too,” he added.

The processing of applications for new users has already resumed and will operate during weekends to fast track the need for Converge’s service. In addition to the installation service, customer service and repair services will also resume. The services may take within 3 to 10 days in compliance with travel restrictions, checkpoints, and essential manpower that may restrict the operations.

As a company resolute in being one with the front-liners, Converge has also previously given more than a thousand units of personal protective equipment to Angeles City Hospital.
For inquiries and the list of open branches visit https://www.convergeict.com/

About Converge ICT Solutions

Converge ICT Solutions is the leading fiber internet and digital consumer-centric services provider in the country. It is the first to run a pure end-to-end fiber internet network, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable internet connection. Converge ICT Solutions is ISO and CE2.0 Certified.

8 Tips to Help your TikToks Stand Out

When you hear the song “Don’t Start Now” by English singer/songwriter Dua Lipa, what initially comes to mind? Do you imagine the visually stunning music video tied to it, or is your mind flooded with mental images of a plethora of dance covers on TikTok?

Indeed, TikTok has become a global phenomenon and, lately, has sort of become a therapy for most people especially in light of the community quarantines enforced worldwide. And with millions of active users on the platform, coming up with fresh and unique videos may seem like a daunting task.

Fear not because collecting plenty of views, likes, and followers on this rapidly growing platform is not impossible. Here are 8 tips on how to make Tik-Toks that stand out:

Immerse yourself in the “For You” page

Developing ideas and crafting them into your latest TikTok might be difficult due to the sea of clips already out there. But who says you can’t draw inspiration from these clips? Binge watch videos on the “For You” page to get a sense of what’s hot, what’s not, and what hasn’t been created yet.

Use your own audio clips

While TikTok has a vast library of songs and audio clips, they are only offered in segments lasting no more than a minute. Got a favorite? Why not use a separate device to play audio clips of your choice. Be wary of copyright infringement though.

Make every second count

To get a higher viewership count, make sure that the first few seconds of your TikTok has an impact that will easily reel people in. Try baked-in captions or brief and creative intros on your videos to entice viewers to watch your clips entirely.

Showcase your “talent,” but be yourself

TikTok is considered a safe space for people who want to explore and broadcast their skills and talents. Whether it’s dancing, singing, acting, cooking, or showing how talented you are at being talentless--that actually garners a lot of engagement--show the world what makes you, you. Just make sure to maintain authenticity because that is what the audience likes.

Go all out

While you’re at it, make sure to give it your all and showcase the best version of you. Don’t be ashamed of being a bit “extra”. Put on your best outfits, apply makeup, and unleash a burst of energy--it’ll only be a few seconds anyway.

Be relatable

Another way to make your TikToks stand out is to make them as relatable as possible. Try kickstarting ideas with a few unique questions like “How do I react during monumental scenes in a certain renowned movie?” or “How do I look when I wake up on different days of the week?”

Add in multiple hashtags

Maybe you’re thinking: “...but having a ‘gazillion’ hashtags is so 2013.” While that may be true for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, there is certainly zero judgement on the use of hashtags by the TikTok community. In fact, using a ton of hashtags like #fyp and #tiktokph, increases your chances of landing on the “For You” page.

Engage in a “Duet”

Joining forces with fellow “TikTokers” not only allows for wider audience engagement, but ensures a fun and interactive experience. Plus, you get to make new friends in the process.

Bonus tip: Follow influential profiles

Much like in fashion and design, it’s always good to have pegs that are consistent with your style and taste. Follow your favorite TikTokers and celebrities to be in the loop for latest trends. And while you’re at it, follow the brand on TikTok at @vivophilippines to get fresh and creative updates on products and services.

About Vivo

vivo is a leading global technology company that is product-driven with core businesses including smart terminals and intelligent services. vivo is committed to connecting users to the digital world by designing exciting and trendsetting smart mobile products and services which integrate technology and fashion in unique and creative ways. Adhering to its core values, which include "Benfen”, “innovation” and “consumer orientation”, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy to achieve its vision of becoming a leading, long-lasting, world-class enterprise.

vivo’s headquarters is located in Dongguan, China, with 9 R&D centers in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo and San Diego. These centers focus on the development of cutting-edge consumer technologies including 5G, artificial intelligence, photography, design and other emerging fields. vivo has also set up five production hubs across China, South Asia and Southeast Asia, which manufacture over 200 million smartphones every year. As of 2019, vivo has developed its sales network across more than 30 countries and regions, attracting more than 300 million active users worldwide.

DTI in Sydney offers Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan Webinar Series to Overseas Filipinos Affected by COVID-19

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Sydney, the overseas office of the DTI in Australia, organized the first webinar of the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) webinar series held on 20 April 2020.

The TNK is an initiative of the DTI in partnership with other government agencies, private sector, academe and civil society organizations, to increase incomes by generating more jobs and promoting entrepreneurship. The program aims to popularize entrepreneurship as an alternative to unemployment, job-seeking or migration.

Alma Argayoso, the Philippine commercial consul to Australia said that PTIC-Sydney had conducted TNK seminars in the past and has lined-up several seminars this year. However, due to coronavirus restrictions, the physical events have been cancelled but they have decided to offer virtual seminars.

“We realized that the webinars would be very useful particularly for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, or for returning Filipinos who would like to start their own business. The webinars might also be of interest to Overseas Filipino Investors (OFIs) or even Australians who would like to help the Philippines recover from the pandemic by investing in viable economic activities in the country as soon as lockdown restrictions are lifted or helping finance the livelihood activities or rehabilitation efforts of their relatives or friends back home,” Argayoso said.

The first webinar of the series covered Franchising 101 and discussed key topics such as how to start and select a franchise business, benefits and pitfalls of franchising, franchising regulations, and franchising opportunities in Australia and the Philippines.

The speaker, Mr. Rudolf Kotik, founder of RK Franchise Consultancy Incorporated, discussed the basics of franchising for those looking for franchise opportunities in the Philippines or Australia, as well as opportunities for business owners who wish to develop their business into a franchise. An option to participate in a co-franchise agreement was also discussed where an opportunity to co-own a franchise together with other franchisees is available for those who wish to start a franchising business as a passive investor.

Mr. Kotik highlighted that the future of franchising is assured even after COVID-19 and is one of the most enduring industries one can think of. He said that aside from food businesses, the services sector such as beauty salons, spa services and laundry shops would bounce back immediately after lockdown restrictions are lifted.

“Franchising is an industry with a proven business system and the best way to invest your money and I highly recommend it to our overseas Filipino workers looking for alternative ways of employment or those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19,” Kotik added.

Argayoso, during her presentation, highlighted that aside from the webinar initiated by her office, the DTI in the Philippines offers various services, tools and information to help Filipinos succeed as entrepreneurs. Through DTI’s Negosyo Centers located all over the country, the agency provides business advisory, business registration facilitation, product catalogue preparation, packaging and labelling design development, mentorship, education and training, exposure to online platforms and trade fairs, as well as funding for MSMEs.

More recently, DTI’s financing arm, SB Corporation announced a P1B loan facility for MSMEs affected by COVID-19 which will be rolled out by partnering with Negosyo Centers in accepting loan applications for small enterprises.

Argayoso said the TNK webinar series will discuss various business opportunities and feature a sector or industry per session. It will also include other topics of interest related to starting a business

PGH Calls for Blood Donations from COVID-19 Survivors

Since April 15, the number of people who have recovered from the coronavirus disease has surpassed the nationwide death toll. Today, there are a total of 693 recoveries and 446 deaths. Of those 446, 9 died just yesterday. So while the situation is improving, there is still much to do.

“Filipinos continue to suffer and some eventually die from Covid 19 everyday. There is no proven treatment yet for this although different medications and regimens are being investigated. And the vaccine against the novel coronavirus is not yet available. That is why we are calling for plasma donations from Covid 19 survivors. Their antibodies may help save patients who are still battling the disease, especially the severe and critical cases,” said Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, spokesperson for the Philippine General Hospital.

Known as convalescent plasma therapy, the treatment is a century-old technique that has been tried and tested on numerous illnesses, most recently for diseases such as Ebola, Sars, Mers, and Swine Flu. It involves the transfusion of plasma, the liquid component of blood, from a recovered patient to a sick patient.

Much like other organizations around the world, the PGH sees plasma therapy as a possible stop-gap to hold the virus at bay while more complex treatments are developed. “A vaccine is a year out, but what if we can use the antibodies of those who have already survived to strengthen the immune system of those still battling the virus,” said Dr. Del Rosario.

Since beginning the experimental treatment very recently, the PGH has received over 90 inquiries with more than 21 passing the criteria and at least 19 having already donated plasma. At least 5 COVID-19 patients were able to receive transfusions.

“Right now, we are taking care of over 100 COVID-19 patients in the PGH, and some of those are severe and critical cases who have exhausted all other treatment options with no success. For them, plasma therapy could be the last resort. That’s why we’re looking for more donors,” said Dr. Del Rosario.

The plasma donation process for COVID-19 survivors is fairly straightforward. When a prospective donor calls the PGH hotline, he or she is first evaluated over the phone. Once found eligible to donate, PGH personnel will conduct a home visit to get informed consent and a blood sample. After that, the donor is invited to the College of Medicine in UP Manila to donate. For all COVID-19 survivors who want to donate, you may call the PGH hotline at 155-200.

Minimum Health Standards will be the New Protocol in Business Operations – DTI Chief

MANILA—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said best hygiene and health measures practiced among leading export companies should be the new protocol in business operations as the country prepares for the post-Enhanced Community Quarantine (post-ECQ) scenario.

“Minimum health standards such as strict social distancing, wearing of face masks, presence of sanitation stations, taking of body temperature, and provision of vitamins must always be observed in work and public places," Sec. Lopez said.

"Likewise, the conduct of COVID-19 tests, provision of nearby accommodations and shuttle services, allowing more work-from-home arrangements, and healthcare preparedness and insurance from enterprises, should be the new normal as we ease into the new way of doing business,” he added.

The trade chief explained that these measures must be exercised in order to minimize the health risk among workers as essential enterprises conduct their operations.

He further emphasized that these be strictly required once other sectors are granted to conduct businesses.

“We need to have a new way of doing business to ensure that our significant gains during the ECQ and the collective efforts in flattening the curve will not be put to waste once ECQ is fully lifted,” the trade secretary said.

“It is accepted that health takes primacy over the economy, but there is no dichotomy between the two if we take precautionary health measures when we do business and work with other people to minimize any health risk in a post-ECQ environment”, Sec. Lopez added.

Several sectors have been recognized by DTI for their interventions in protecting the safety and well-being of their employees, as well as in providing them with extensive health benefits.

Among these include leading export-oriented manufacturing industries, which provided additional health benefits such as near-site accommodation and shuttle services, hiring from local communities, provision of vitamins and medicines and regular check-ups and healthcare in the workplace. These companies also distributed face masks and digital thermometers to employees at no cost, and set up ambulances, isolation tents, and clinics in their facilities.

DTI has also been working with the DOH and DOLE to issue the new set of guidelines on the minimum health protocols in all business operations.

The trade chief acknowledged the importance of continuing working-from-home arrangements where possible to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the rise of the e-commerce industry and delivery models should be further enhanced even after the ECQ.

“As we continue to collaborate with different industries, we call on the cooperation of all our partners in the private sector to maintain best practices through observing health protocols and sustaining measures for employees’ welfare. Only then can we heal as one and move forward as one,” Sec. Lopez said.

DTI, CONWEP to produce 300,000 PPE coveralls for healthcare workers

MAKATI—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has partnered with the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) to produce 300,000 locally-manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) coveralls for the country’s healthcare workers.

To address the deficient supply of PPE in the country, DTI launched the Bayanihan PPE Project with the garment exporters of CONWEP and the Department of Health (DOH) to help the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) through the local production of medical-grade PPEs.

On Wednesday, 22 April 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force against Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)—through DTI, DOH, and CONWEP—turned over to PGH the first 10,000 of the 300,000 locally-manufactured PPE coveralls.

“This collaboration by the government and the private sector aims to develop our country’s capacity to produce medical-grade PPE. This will also meet our demand for these vital medical supplies throughout the pandemic and beyond," said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

"There is really a need to create local manufacturing capacities to reduce import dependence, especially at a time when there is also a global shortage of critical medical supplies like PPEs and masks. Self-reliance is key to our strategy,” the trade chief added.

The project is an initiative by DTI and the Board of Investments (BOI) to repurpose economic activities for the manufacture of health and medical products to address the COVID-19 situation. It leverages on the strengths of local firms and industries, particularly in product development, logistics and production systems, and the country’s skilled workforce.

While CONWEP, with the assistance of BOI, executed the design of the PPE coveralls, DOH and PGH ensured that the approved prototype can be used even in high
COVID-risk hospital situations such as operating rooms, COVID-19 positive wards, ICUs, and the like

To further address the shortage in PPEs, DTI issued on 11 April 2020 Memorandum Circular No. 20-15, which extends the daily operating hours of retail establishments authorized to operate during the enhanced community quarantine. DTI also approved the temporary increase of workforce capacity for manufacturers of essential goods to ensure sufficient supply of these necessities during the quarantine period.

With the increased supply and ongoing production of PPEs, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque is hopeful that public healthcare workers and frontliners at PGH will be fully equipped to serve without fear and doubt as they face their day-to-day challenges

“We are also future-proofing the Philippine health sector. We will continue to seek out ways to lessen the various risks to our frontliners as their safety and well-being remain our top priority,” Sec. Duque said

Meanwhile, Secretary Lopez highlighted that another important component of the initiative for repurposing manufacturing is the linking of resources and capabilities across different sectors

He expressed his thanks and appreciation to San Miguel Corporation for procuring the initial 10,000 pieces of PPE coveralls, to Minebea for donating 15,000 N95 masks to PGH, and to Steel Asia for pledging support to the Bayanihan PPE Project

The trade chief likewise extended his gratitude to the UPS Foundation, Air21, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation for their help in facilitating the airlift of fabrics from Shenzhen to Cavite, including the waiving of fees for transport and logistics.

“I am optimistic that this collaboration between the private and public sector will encourage other business groups to give support to the Bayanihan PPE Project,” Sec. Lopez said.

“By locally-manufacturing medical grade PPEs we not only protect those who are at the forefront of this health crisis, but also create a sustainable local supply chain amid the ongoing pandemic,” he added.

Pfizer Advances Battled Against COVID-19 on Multiple Fronts

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) recently announced important advances in the battle against the global COVID-19 pandemic.

As outlined in Pfizer’s five-point plan, the company has been collaborating across the healthcare innovation ecosystem ranging from pharmaceutical companies to biotech companies, from government agencies to academic institutions to address the COVID-19 global health care crisis. Researchers and scientists have been relentlessly working to develop an investigational antiviral compound to prevent coronavirus infection (COVID-19), as well as evaluating other therapies that have scientific potential to help infected patients.

“We are committed to making the impossible possible,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO. “In the spirit of the Five Point Plan that Pfizer issued, we are facing this public health challenge head on by collaborating with industry partners and academic institutions to develop potential novel approaches to prevent and treat COVID-19. Our researchers and scientists also have been exploring potential new uses of existing medicines in Pfizer’s portfolio to help infected patients globally. We are leaving no stone unturned as we explore every option to help provide society with a treatment or cure.”

• Anti-Viral Compound Screening

Pfizer confirmed a lead compound and analogues are potent inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 3C-like (3CL) protease, based on the results of initial screening assays. Preliminary data suggest the lead protease inhibitor shows antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The company is also investing in materials that will accelerate a potential clinical study in the third quarter 2020, subject to positive completion of the pre-clinical confirmatory studies.
Applying Pfizer’s Long History in Vaccine Research Development Expertise to Finalize Our 

• Agreement with BioNTech

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE have entered into a global collaboration agreement to co-develop BioNTech’s potential first-in-class, mRNA-based coronavirus vaccine for preventing COVID-19 infection. In March 2020, the companies began working together after releasing a letter of intent to collaborate. They will conduct clinical trials in the United States and Europe as early as April 2020, assuming regulatory clearance. The companies estimate that there is potential to supply vaccine doses by the end of 2020 subject to technical success and approval of regulatory authorities and then rapidly scale up to capacity to produce million doses in 2021. For the terms of the agreement, please see the press release page of Pfizer’s website.

• Analysis of Azithromycin as an Agent with Antiviral Activity

In an effort to share information that could benefit COVID-19 mitigation efforts, Pfizer researchers will publish a review in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. This open access review may serve to facilitate the use of azithromycin in future research on COVID-19. Azithromycin is not approved for the treatment of viral infections.

• Studying Pfizer’s Existing Medicines for Critical Patient Populations in Need

Pfizer is also in discussions with other institutions about additional studies including the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine’s Respiratory Infection Clinical Research Group. Two new studies: SAFER study (SARS-CoV-2 Acquisition in Frontline Health Care Workers – Evaluation to Inform Response) and the FASTER study (Facilitating A SARS CoV-2 Test for Rapid triage) will help demonstrate whether patients infected with COVID-19 have a higher risk of also developing pneumococcal pneumonia. The SAFER study will enroll 100 healthcare workers at the Royal Liverpool Hospital while the FASTER study will recruit 400 patients from the infectious disease ward at the Royal Liverpool Hospital suspected of having coronavirus. Enrollment has already begun, and data are expected over the next few months. For more details about the study, please see clinicaltrials.gov.

“While this work can generally take years, we are working to find opportunities to save time wherever we can and work in parallel rather than in a linear capacity,” said Mikael Dolsten, Chief Scientific Officer and President, Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, Pfizer. “This pursuit requires a crucial multi-pronged approach with a deep collaboration and partnership across the health innovation ecosystem – from the academic community, industry partners, policymakers and regulatory bodies. We announced in March that we are collaborating with BioNTech to co-develop a potential first-in-class, mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. A public threat like coronavirus COVID-19 pushes each of us to urgently bring forward our resources and expertise to overcome this most challenging moment in the medical history of this century.”

The company will continue to share information from its portfolio and emerging candidates that could benefit the many companies and organizations who are working quickly to provide solutions to combat this unprecedented healthcare crisis.

• Pfizer, Inc.: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.