Upon execution of the deal, technology transfer will commence immediately. Samsung Biologics’ Incheon facilities will use a state-of-the-art production line equipped for aseptic fill-finish, labeling, and packaging services.
The agreement will support the production of hundreds of millions of doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, destined to supply of markets outside of the US.
John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, said: “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.”
Moderna also signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the government of South Korea last week. One MoU is with the Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), an agency of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) for a new collaboration on mRNA vaccine research in South Korea.
An additional MoU with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea (MOTIE), the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea (MOHW) to explore local manufacturing opportunities for mRNA vaccines in South Korea.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea last week authorized Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for adults aged 18+ under a Conditional Marketing Authorization, with GC Pharma as the marketing authorization holder and distributor. A supply agreement of 40 million doses for the country is in place.