Search

BioNTech Chooses Singapore as New Regional Headquarter to Produce mRNA Vaccines

BioNTech Chooses Singapore as New Regional Headquarter to Produce mRNA Vaccines

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 manufacturing facility.   

The new facility will provide "regional and global supply capacity of BioNTech's mRNA-based product candidates" and serve as "a rapid response production capability for Southeast Asia to address potential pandemic threats”, the company said on Monday (May 10).

 BioNTech added that it plans to open its Singapore office and initiate construction of the manufacturing facility this year, subject to planning approval.

The facility could be operational as early as 2023 and create up to 80 jobs in Singapore. 

In its media release, BioNTech said the new facility, supported by Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), "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.

Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, speaking at an online press conference after the announcement, said the new investment is “a boost” to the local biopharmaceutical ecosystem.

Noting that the new mRNA technology has “drastically reduced” the time needed for vaccines to be produced, the new facility will also strengthen the portfolio of different vaccine production technologies in Singapore, he added.

“There will be new viruses that will emerge in time to come and what we need is a strong R&D partnership to make sure that we continuously evolve our products in a timely fashion to serve our local and regional markets.”

HIGHLY AUTOMATED

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)

 

 

 
Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
View all posts

Terima kasih telah membaca sampai di sini