Frankfurt, 26 November 2021 (dpa/MIA) — BioNTech, the German biotechnology company that came up with a new type of vaccine to counter the coronavirus pandemic, is working on a new variant discovered in South Africa and hopes to have results within two weeks. "We can understand the concern of the experts and have launched investigations into the B.1.1.529 variant without delay," the Mainz-based company says. BioNTech noted the evident differences in the mutations on the crucial spike protein of the virus and says tests will reveal whether the vaccine needs adaptation. BioNTech said it took steps along with its US partner Pfizer months ago to adapt the vaccine for a so-called "escape" variant. It aims to do so within six weeks and start deliveries of new vaccine within 100 days.