BioNTech study shows UK virus mutations in samples from March
The rise of new coronavirus strains has prompted calls for vaccinating people more quickly before mutations can become widespread
05 February 2021 - 15:21
Munich/Berlin — Mutations that are part of the fast-spreading coronavirus strain found in the UK emerged months earlier than the variant was identified, underscoring the need for faster monitoring of the virus’s changes, according to a study led by BioNTech.
Some of the 17 mutations that characterise the more infectious strain — eight of which are on the spike protein — were found as early as March and April, according to a report whose authors include BioNTech CEO Uğur Şahin. It analysed about 150,000 sequences collected from around the world up to early October...
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