Pfizer's application for vaccine use set for 3rd week of November

Pfizer Inc.'s application for emergency use authorization in the US for its potential coronavirus vaccine will be not earlier than the third week of November.

The US pharmaceutical giant is one of several companies during final-stage clinical trials for potential coronavirus vaccines in the country.

According to Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, Pfizer may find out later this month whether or not its vaccine can help prevent COVID-19 in at least a majority of those vaccinated.

if data from trials support the move, Pfizer will apply for emergency use authorization in the US after the safety milestone is achieved in the third week of November.

The US Food and Drug Administration requires companies to provide two months of safety data on half of the trial participants following the final dose of the vaccine.

Pfizer, which is developing the vaccine with Germany's BioNTech SE, has agreed to supply Japan with 120 million doses of a vaccine for 60 million people if the development efforts are successful.

Another American pharmaceutical firm Moderna Inc. revealed it wouldn't be ready to seek emergency use authorization before Nov. 25.

US President Donald Trump has been raising expectations that vaccines could be ready before the Nov. 3 presidential election.