Moderna and Samsung Biologics have announced a manufacturing services and supply agreement in which the CDMO will provide large scale, commercial fill-finish manufacturing for mRNA-1273, Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
On completion of the deal, technology transfer will begin immediately at Samsung’s facilities in South Korea, utilising a production line equipped for aseptic fill-finish, labelling, and packaging services to support production intended for the supply of markets outside of the US starting in the third quarter of 2021.
“This vaccine is paramount to people around the world in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and we truly appreciate our client Moderna for entrusting and choosing to partner with Samsung Biologics for the fill and finish of this important vaccine,” said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. “Due to the high level of urgency in supplying the vaccine to the global population, we have set immediate action plans and schedule to make mRNA-1273 available for commercial distribution in the early second half of 2021.”
“We are pleased to partner with Samsung Biologics for this fill and finish manufacturing, which will help us continue to scale up our manufacturing capacity outside of the US,” said Juan Andres, Moderna’s CTO and Quality Officer. “We and our manufacturing partners remain committed to defeating the COVID-19 pandemic.”