German biotechnology company BioNTech, which has partnered with Pfizer to develop a Covid-19 vaccine using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, will arrange its regional headquarters in Singapore together with a producing facility.
The latest facility will provide “regional and global supply capabilities for BioNTech’s mRNA-based product candidates” and can function a “rapid response manufacturing capability in Southeast Asia to deal with potential pandemic threats,” the corporate said on Monday (May 10 ).
BioNTech added that it plans to open an office in Singapore and start construction of a producing facility this 12 months, subject to planning approval.
The facility may very well be operational as early as 2023 and create as much as 80 jobs in Singapore.
In its media release, BioNTech said the brand new facility, supported by the Economic Development Board of Singapore (EDB), “will leverage state-of-the-art manufacturing and digital infrastructure.”
It can be equipped to “produce a spread of latest mRNA vaccines and medicines for infectious diseases and cancer,” he added.
Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, speaking at an internet press conference after the announcement, said the brand new investment would “boost” the local biopharmaceutical ecosystem.
Noting that the brand new mRNA technology has “drastically reduced” the time needed to provide vaccines, the brand new facility may also strengthen Singapore’s portfolio of varied vaccine production technologies, he added.
“New viruses will emerge over time, so we need strong research and development partnerships to ensure we continue to develop our products in a timely manner to serve our local and regional markets.”
HIGHLY AUTOMATED
The plant can be highly automated and may have “end-to-end mRNA production capabilities across drug substance, drug product, and fill and finish processes, with an estimated annual capability of several hundred million doses of mRNA-based vaccines, depending on the particular vaccine,” the corporate said.
BioNTech didn’t provide any information on the full investment amount in Singapore.
Noting that Singapore provides an “excellent business climate” because of its growing biotech industry and wealthy talent base, BioNTech co-founder and CEO Ugur Sahin said: “Having multiple nodes in our manufacturing network is a very important strategic step in constructing our global reach and capabilities.
“With the planned mRNA production facility, we will increase the overall capacity of our network and expand our ability to produce and deliver our mRNA vaccines and therapies to people around the world.”
EBD CEO Beh Swan Gin said the investment would enable Singapore to “develop capabilities in a very important latest therapeutic approach” as a part of its technique to grow its biopharmaceutical industry.
“In particular, the BioNTech mRNA production facility will significantly contribute to the region’s ability to address future pandemic threats,” he said.
Source: CNA/sk(gs)
