A contract extension has been put in place between Moderna, Inc. and Spain’s Rovi, which shall cover the production of formers vaccine doses, including any future mRNA-based drugs as well as immunizations. Notably, the contract between the two organisations has been extended by another 10 years. This development apparently comes a year and a half after both companies inked a deal to undertake the fill-finish operations of the then Moderna’s investigative COVID-19 vaccine, which later became one of the vaccinations across the globe to be granted USFDA status.
As per the agreement that has taken place between the two companies, the biotech giant will make undisclosed investments in the Madrid facility of Rovi so as to allow it to enhance its existing capacity. The financial details aren’t available in the public domain, but the deal is expected to close by Q1 of 2022.
Juan Andres, CTO of Moderna, says that Rovi is a key partner for them in terms of supporting the manufacturing of the mRNA vaccine when it comes to countries apart from the U.S., and the latest signed long-term agreement further scales up the future of mRNA vaccines to a significant extent. Like any other COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer, Moderna too has spent much of the last couple of years in elevating operations through enhancing existing sites or building new facilities via adding contract manufacturers across its network.
Last October, Moderna put forth its plans to build an mRNA manufacturing facility worth $500 million in Africa, which is estimated to be completed in two to four years. The proposed facility, which remains undisclosed, through its capabilities, would be able to manufacture millions of vaccine doses every year, considering their future demand.
