Moderna may build vaccine plant in Korea, Novavas, SK Biosience to supply vaccine

[Photo by Ministry of SMEs and Startups]

Stephane Bancel, chief executive of U.S. biotechnology firm Moderna Inc., said he wants to build a manufacturing plant in Korea to produce vaccines against respiratory infectious diseases. The remark was made during a conversation Wednesday morning with Park Young-sun, South Korea’s Minister of SMEs and Startups, according to the ministry.

Moderna directly proposed to build its own plant in Korea instead of pursuing contract production by Korean partners, the ministry said, adding it reflects the company’s recognition of Korea’s advanced infrastructure and capacities for vaccine production.

The videoconference was arranged as a follow-up talk between President Moon Jae-in and Stephane Bancel late last year when the CEO committed to delivery of 40 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to South Korea.

Minister Park and CEO Bancel also discussed ways to jointly invest in vaccine R&D projects and Moderna expressed interest in open innovation for Korean startups, the ministry said.

[Photo by Yonhap]

Meanwhile, President Moon said on Wednesday that Novavax and SK Bioscience are in talks to provide an additional 20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine in Korea. The Korean government has so far secured 56 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from global companies and the COVAX alliance.

During his visit to SK Bioscience’s vaccine production site in Gyeongbuk, President Moon confirmed the two companies are discussing a delivery of 20 million doses, doubling the amount which was previously reported by local media.

[ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]