BioNTech SE's (BNTX) stock soared 5.01% in the pre-market trading session on Thursday, February 13, 2025. The rally was fueled by reports denying the involvement of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in the creation or leakage of the COVID-19 virus that led to the global pandemic.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, reiterated that the Wuhan Institute of Virology played no role in the design, production, or release of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. This statement comes after reports emerged about the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding gain-of-function studies at the institute, which could have triggered the worldwide outbreak.
The denial from Chinese authorities has bolstered confidence in BioNTech, one of the leading developers of COVID-19 vaccines. BioNTech's partnership with Pfizer produced the Comirnaty vaccine, which has been widely used globally in the fight against the pandemic. The positive news has alleviated concerns about potential liabilities related to the vaccine's development and distribution, driving the stock's surge.