BioNTech, Pfizer plan shingles shot in third joint mRNA project

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE agreed to their third joint messenger RNA project, an experimental shingles vaccine, expanding once more the collaboration that led to their successful shot for Covid-19.

The partners expect to start human trials of the new vaccine in the second half of this year, they said in a statement. Pfizer will pay BioNTech $225 million up-front to use its mRNA technology, including $75 million in cash and an equity investment of $150 million.

If the partners are successful, their shot will compete with GlaxoSmithKline Plc’s best-selling vaccine Shingrix. There’s opportunity for a competitor with few side