Samsung Biologics to assist with fill-finish manufacturing of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine

Under a new agreement announced last week, Samsung Biologics will bolster the global supply of mRNA-1273, Moderna, Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine, by providing large-scale, commercial fill-finish manufacturing.

Technology transfer began upon execution of the deal so that Samsung Biologics could begin work at its Incheon, South Korea facilities. These facilities are equipped with a production line capable of aseptic fill-finish, labeling, and packaging services that will help vaccine supply roll out quicker globally as of the third quarter of 2021.

“This vaccine is paramount to people around the world in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and we truly appreciate our client Moderna for entrusting and choosing to partner with Samsung Biologics for the fill and finish of this important vaccine,” John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, said.

Reckoning with the urgency of vaccine demand, Samsung Biologics is moving to make more mRNA-1273 available for commercial distribution later this year. However, neither company has released specifics on how many vaccine doses will be manufactured as part of the fill-finish deal — merely that it will run through 2022.

“We are pleased to partner with Samsung Biologics for this fill and finish manufacturing, which will help us continue to scale up our manufacturing capacity outside of the U.S.,” Juan Andres, Moderna’s Chief Technical Operations and Quality Officer, said. “We and our manufacturing partners remain committed to defeating the COVID-19 pandemic.”