Hackers Breach EMA Data, Cyberattack Not Expected To Delay COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

Cyberattacks have grown rampant during the pandemic with the world relying heavily on technology to get things done. Hackers can strike at any time and it appears they have not spared companies and groups who are trying to rush the develop vaccines.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) revealed that it was hit by a cyberattack and that hackers unlawfully accessed documents about the regulatory submission of Pfizer and BioNTech. Details on what went down were limited but it was pretty clear that the main target was data.

Regardless of this development, BioNTech and Pfizer are confident that the hackers did not compromise any of the personal data of trial participants, Channel News Asia reported. EMA also assured that these cyberattacks will not alter the timeline for its review.

Though the documents were said to be unaltered, they remain valuable particularly to other countries and companies racing to come up with a COVID-19 vaccine.

"When it comes to the data submitted to these kinds of regulatory bodies, we are talking confidential information about the vaccine and its mechanism of action, its efficiency, its risks & known possible side effects and any unique aspects such as handling guidelines," Marc Rogers, founder of a volunteer group fighting COVID-related breaches, CTI-League, said.

On the side of BioNtech and Pfizer, there were no reports of breaches tied to the recent cyberattacks. Both are top contenders in the global race to beat back COVID-19. Their vaccine is already being administered in Britain.

EMA is expected to complete its review on Dec. 29. However, this is subject to change.

EMA is now working with authorities and has launched a full investigation on the matter. Details remain scarce for now and additional information is expected in due course, per a statement from the medicine regulator.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have two-dose vaccine regimens that rely on a new technology known as messenger RNA. Moderna is slightly behind Pfizer in the race to come up with an authorized Covid-19 vaccine, Bloomberg reported.