Filenews 29 April 2021
US Moderna announced on Thursday that it is increasing production of its mRNA vaccine against coronavirus, predicting "significant" demand in 2022 and 2023 as the most contagious variants of the coronavirus spread.
Production for next year is projected to increase by up to 3 billion instalments, while this year's production will be between 800 million and one billion [increased compared to the previous target of at least 700 million] doses.
"As we monitor the rapid spread of special interest strains, we believe we will continue to see significant demand for our vaccine and potential booster doses in 2022 and 2023," its chief executive Stephane Bansell said in a company statement.
Both Bansel and Pfizer chief executive Albert Burla have said that maintaining a high level of protection it is not out of the question that booster doses will be required around every 12 months.
The exact amount of this year's production will depend on tests carried out by Moderna on vaccines with a smaller amount of mRNA. In its current form, the vaccine contains 100 micrograms of mRNA, which could be reduced to 20 to 50 micrograms for booster and paediatric doses.
As Moderna president Stephen Hoge told Reuters, newer data shows that the vaccine can be kept for up to three months at a simple fridge temperature, which would make it easier to sell in the developing world, where special freezers are scarce.
"It could prove to be an achievement of real importance in 2022 in Africa and in lower and middle income countries," Hoge said.
Moderna now plans to double the production capacity of a plant in Switzerland managed by its partner Lonza and to more than double production at a plant of the Spanish Laboratories Farmaceuticos ROVI SA. Production at the Moderna plant in the USA is projected to increase by 50%.
The company says it is also in negotiations with other manufacturers that could help produce its vaccine, following similar agreements it has reached with Sanofi and Catalent.
Source: news.in.gr
