Samsung Biologics to produce mRNA vaccine for U.S. GreenLight

[Source: Samsung Biologic Co.]

South Korea’s Samsung Biologics and U.S. biotech company GreenLight Biosciences have teamed up to increase access to Covid-19 vaccines across Africa.

Samsung Biologics said on Thursday it signed a contract manufacturing partnership for drug substances for a Covid-19 mRNA vaccine candidate being developed by the Boston-based RNA research company.

Under the agreement, the two companies will accelerate clinical trials and commercial production of GreenLight’s mRNA vaccine to distribute Covid-19 vaccines for low-income countries.

Samsung Biologics is currently building new production facilities for bulk mRNA vaccine substances at its Songdo campus in Incheon, with an aim of getting cGMP manufacturing approval by the first half of next year.

[Source: Samsung Biologic Co.]

GreenLight Biosciences plans to finalize a partnership deal with an African partner to start Phase 1 trials of its vaccine in the first quarter of next year.

“We are delighted to partner with GreenLight to leverage our expertise in manufacturing a messenger RNA Covid-19 vaccine candidate to better serve patients in lower income countries,” said Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim. He praised the deal as "a major milestone" for Samsung Biologics that is seeking to "provide one-stop end-to-end messenger RNA production from Drug Substance (DS) to Aseptic Fill Finish (DP) to commercial release."

Samsung Biologics shares were up 0.71 percent at 853,000 won ($714.70) in mid-day trading on Friday.

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