Moderna has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Canada to build an RNA vaccine manufacturing facility in the country, including access to Moderna’s mRNA development engine. The goals of the agreement are to build a foundation to support Canada with direct access to rapid pandemic response capabilities and to provide access to the company’s vaccines in development.
“I would like to thank the Government of Canada for the partnership they have built with us and for their faith in our data, science and early confidence in our mRNA platform in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. We recently announced data from the final analysis of the Phase 3 COVE study demonstrating that vaccination with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine showed 93% efficacy, with this efficacy remaining durable six months after administration of the second dose,” said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.
The company expects to invest in the manufacturing facility with the collaboration of the Canadian government. The collaboration is hoped to provide Canadians with access to a domestically manufactured portfolio of mRNA vaccines against respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and potential other vaccines, pending licensure. The facility is also intended to be activated on an urgent basis to support Canada with direct access to rapid pandemic response capabilities.
“We are excited to expand our presence and continue our long-term collaboration with Canada,” said Patricia Gauthier, Moderna’s Canadian General Manager. “With our industry-leading mRNA technology platform and rapid drug development capabilities, we look forward to being an active participant in Canada’s robust life sciences ecosystem.”
The MoU was announced today by the Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada, and Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s Chief Executive Officer in Montreal, Canada.