10 December
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech say that hackers have illegally accessed coronavirus vaccine data at the European Union's drug- regulating body.
The Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency revealed on its website on Wednesday that it had been the target of a cyberattack. It did not give any further details.
Pfizer and BioNTech jointly issued a statement, saying they had been notified of the cyberattack. The companies said their systems have not been breached and they do not believe any personal data of trial participants has been compromised.
They added, "We await further information about EMA's investigation and will respond appropriately and in accordance with EU law."
The EMA is working to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by the year-end.
The companies said the EMA has assured them that the cyberattack will have no impact on the timeline for its review.
NHK
