Sales at the Swiss major have returned to around 80%-90% of their pre-pandemic levels, according to CFO Harry Kirsch after unveiling a healthy set of second-quarter financials.

Studies point to Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Bharat Biotech’s vaccines neutralizing the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, even if efficacy is lower compared to the original strain. This follows positive news from other vaccine companies but will the Lambda variant cause a setback?

The company could have a significant competitive position thanks to the ability to rapidly develop and combine vaccines using mRNA technology.

Patients 18-60 had a protection rate of 53%, but there were too few cases among those older than 60 – a crucial subgroup – in HERALD to draw conclusions about the vaccine’s efficacy among older people.