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Released February 09, 2021 | GALWAY
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The Pfizer/BioNTech duo has completed the manufacturing upgrades needed to overcome recent European delays in the production of its COVID-19 vaccine and has promised an extra 75 million doses by the spring.
The companies announced that "we are back to the original schedule of vaccine dose deliveries to the European Union. Pfizer and BioNTech continue to work toward increased deliveries beginning the week of February 15, ensuring we will supply the full quantity of vaccine doses in the first quarter we contractually committed to and up to an additional 75 million doses to the European Union in the second quarter."
Production of the vaccine, COMIRNATY, was delayed at the start of the year as the companies were forced to perform upgrades at some plants to boost production.
"In order to respond to an increased global demand, we plan to manufacture 2 billion doses of our COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 by expanding the previously expected output of 1.3 billion doses by more than 50%," they stated. "We are on track to scale-up our manufacturing capacities. In particular, the implementation of three key initiatives is making good progress: First, the modification of production processes at Pfizer's facility in Puurs, Belgium, has been successfully completed. Now, we are back to the original schedule of vaccine dose deliveries to the European Union. Second, BioNTech's manufacturing site in Marburg has received a manufacturing license and will be able to start production for validation by EMA in February in line with our previously announced plans. Third, our European manufacturing network has continually expanded -- from three partners in December 2020 when we received our first authorizations to 13 currently (including the Marburg facility). We're further strengthening this network, and are now in discussions with additional qualified partners on potential new agreements."
Industrial Info can confirm that separate deals have been struck with rivals Sanofi and Novartis to boost production. Sanofi and BioNTech have entered into an agreement that will give BioNTech access to Sanofi's Frankfurt production facilities to make more than 125 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Europe this summer. Sanofi is still working on two of its own potential COVID-19 vaccines.
"We are very conscious that the earlier vaccine doses are available, the more lives can potentially be saved," said Paul Hudson, chief executive officer of Sanofi. "Today's announcement is a pivotal step towards our industry's collective goal of putting all the effort in to curb this pandemic. Although vaccination campaigns have started around the world, the ability to get shots into arms is being limited by lower-than-expected supplies and delayed approval timelines owing to production shortages. We have made the decision to support BioNTech and Pfizer in manufacturing their COVID-19 vaccine in order to help address global needs, given that we have the technology and facilities to do so."
Novartis has also pitched in to help by signing an agreement to initiate production of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine in the second quarter of this year at its plant in Stein, Switzerland. Novartis will receive bulk mRNA active ingredient from BioNTech and fill it into vials under aseptic conditions at its plant before shipping them back to BioNTech for global delivery.
Other pharmaceutical companies developing potential COVID-19 vaccines have been busy making alliances to ensure that they can produce enough from the start. Last month, Industrial Info reported that Germany's CureVac had recruited pharmaceutical major Bayer to help get its potential COVID-19 vaccine to market as soon as it exits Phase 3 trials. For additional information, see January 26, 2021, article--CureVac Taps Bayer to Ramp Up COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
The companies announced that "we are back to the original schedule of vaccine dose deliveries to the European Union. Pfizer and BioNTech continue to work toward increased deliveries beginning the week of February 15, ensuring we will supply the full quantity of vaccine doses in the first quarter we contractually committed to and up to an additional 75 million doses to the European Union in the second quarter."
Production of the vaccine, COMIRNATY, was delayed at the start of the year as the companies were forced to perform upgrades at some plants to boost production.
"In order to respond to an increased global demand, we plan to manufacture 2 billion doses of our COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 by expanding the previously expected output of 1.3 billion doses by more than 50%," they stated. "We are on track to scale-up our manufacturing capacities. In particular, the implementation of three key initiatives is making good progress: First, the modification of production processes at Pfizer's facility in Puurs, Belgium, has been successfully completed. Now, we are back to the original schedule of vaccine dose deliveries to the European Union. Second, BioNTech's manufacturing site in Marburg has received a manufacturing license and will be able to start production for validation by EMA in February in line with our previously announced plans. Third, our European manufacturing network has continually expanded -- from three partners in December 2020 when we received our first authorizations to 13 currently (including the Marburg facility). We're further strengthening this network, and are now in discussions with additional qualified partners on potential new agreements."
Industrial Info can confirm that separate deals have been struck with rivals Sanofi and Novartis to boost production. Sanofi and BioNTech have entered into an agreement that will give BioNTech access to Sanofi's Frankfurt production facilities to make more than 125 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Europe this summer. Sanofi is still working on two of its own potential COVID-19 vaccines.
"We are very conscious that the earlier vaccine doses are available, the more lives can potentially be saved," said Paul Hudson, chief executive officer of Sanofi. "Today's announcement is a pivotal step towards our industry's collective goal of putting all the effort in to curb this pandemic. Although vaccination campaigns have started around the world, the ability to get shots into arms is being limited by lower-than-expected supplies and delayed approval timelines owing to production shortages. We have made the decision to support BioNTech and Pfizer in manufacturing their COVID-19 vaccine in order to help address global needs, given that we have the technology and facilities to do so."
Novartis has also pitched in to help by signing an agreement to initiate production of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine in the second quarter of this year at its plant in Stein, Switzerland. Novartis will receive bulk mRNA active ingredient from BioNTech and fill it into vials under aseptic conditions at its plant before shipping them back to BioNTech for global delivery.
Other pharmaceutical companies developing potential COVID-19 vaccines have been busy making alliances to ensure that they can produce enough from the start. Last month, Industrial Info reported that Germany's CureVac had recruited pharmaceutical major Bayer to help get its potential COVID-19 vaccine to market as soon as it exits Phase 3 trials. For additional information, see January 26, 2021, article--CureVac Taps Bayer to Ramp Up COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
