Business
By Tang See Kit 10 May 2021 02:23PM
SINGAPORE: German biotechnology firm BioNTech, which partnered Pfizer to develop a COVID-19 vaccine using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, will set up its regional headquarters in Singapore, along with a fully integrated mRNA manufacturing facility.
The new manufacturing facility, supported by Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), will provide "regional and global supply capacity of BioNTech's mRNA-based product candidates" and serve "as a rapid response production capability for South East Asia to address potential pandemic threats”, it said on Monday (May 10).
BioNTech added that it plans to open its Singapore office and initiate construction of the manufacturing facility in 2021, subject to planning approval.
The facility could be operational as early as 2023 and create up to 80 jobs in Singapore.
In its press release, it said the new mRNA manufacturing facility "will leverage cutting-edge manufacturing and digital infrastructure".
It will be equipped to "produce a range of novel mRNA vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases and cancer", it added.
The site will be highly automated with "end-to-end mRNA production capabilities across drug substance, drug product and fill-and-finish, with an estimated annual capacity of several hundred of million doses of mRNA-based vaccines depending on the specific vaccine," the company said.
BioNTech did not release any information regarding the total sum of investment in Singapore.
Noting that Singapore provides an "excellent business climate" with a growing biotechnology industry and rich talent base, BioNTech co-founder and chief executive Ugur Sahin said: “Having multiple nodes in our production network is an important strategic step in building out our global footprint and capabilities.
"With this planned mRNA production facility, we will increase our overall network capacity and expand our ability to manufacture and deliver our mRNA vaccines and therapies to people around the world."
EBD chairman Beh Swan Gin said the investment will enable Singapore to "develop capabilities in an important new therapeutic modality" as part of its strategy to grow the biopharmaceutical industry here.
“In particular, BioNTech’s mRNA manufacturing facility will contribute significantly to the region’s ability to address future pandemic threats," he said.
Source: CNA/sk(gs)
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BioNTech to produce mRNA vaccines in Singapore, its new regional headquarters
A medical worker fills a syringe with a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as Japan launches its inoculation campaign, at Tokyo Medical Center, Feb 17, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Behrouz Mehri)By Tang See Kit 10 May 2021 02:23PM
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SINGAPORE: German biotechnology firm BioNTech, which partnered Pfizer to develop a COVID-19 vaccine using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, will set up its regional headquarters in Singapore, along with a fully integrated mRNA manufacturing facility.
The new manufacturing facility, supported by Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), will provide "regional and global supply capacity of BioNTech's mRNA-based product candidates" and serve "as a rapid response production capability for South East Asia to address potential pandemic threats”, it said on Monday (May 10).
BioNTech added that it plans to open its Singapore office and initiate construction of the manufacturing facility in 2021, subject to planning approval.
The facility could be operational as early as 2023 and create up to 80 jobs in Singapore.
In its press release, it said the new mRNA manufacturing facility "will leverage cutting-edge manufacturing and digital infrastructure".
It will be equipped to "produce a range of novel mRNA vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases and cancer", it added.
The site will be highly automated with "end-to-end mRNA production capabilities across drug substance, drug product and fill-and-finish, with an estimated annual capacity of several hundred of million doses of mRNA-based vaccines depending on the specific vaccine," the company said.
BioNTech did not release any information regarding the total sum of investment in Singapore.
Noting that Singapore provides an "excellent business climate" with a growing biotechnology industry and rich talent base, BioNTech co-founder and chief executive Ugur Sahin said: “Having multiple nodes in our production network is an important strategic step in building out our global footprint and capabilities.
"With this planned mRNA production facility, we will increase our overall network capacity and expand our ability to manufacture and deliver our mRNA vaccines and therapies to people around the world."
EBD chairman Beh Swan Gin said the investment will enable Singapore to "develop capabilities in an important new therapeutic modality" as part of its strategy to grow the biopharmaceutical industry here.
“In particular, BioNTech’s mRNA manufacturing facility will contribute significantly to the region’s ability to address future pandemic threats," he said.
Source: CNA/sk(gs)
Continue reading...