AGC BIOLOGICS DECLARES SUPPLYING STARTING MATERIAL FOR PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 -- AGC Biologics, a leading global Biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has announced an expanded partnership to supply more plasmid DNA (pDNA) starting material for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the company’s Heidelberg facility.

According to a recent news release from Pfizer and BioNTech, the companies have started to develop an Omicron-based COVID-19 vaccine with first batches expected to be ready for delivery by March-end 2022.

“We are proud to continue to support BioNTech and supply them with pDNA materials for their vaccine production, as a part of the fight against new pandemic variants,” said AGC Biologics Chief Executive Officer, Patricio Massera in a statement.

“Our pDNA services are a part of our growing global Cell and Gene Therapy offering that includes the development and manufacturing of cell therapies, viral vectors, and messenger RNA.”

Meanwhile, AGC Biologics General Manager, Heidelberg, Dieter Kramer said: “This type of work is what drives us every day. We appreciate this opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of people around the world and produce life-saving treatments.”

The AGC Biologics Heidelberg facility has more than 20 years of experience delivering a wide range of programmes for customers.

The site is the company’s Center of Excellence for pDNA production, and a central part of the AGC Biologics global network of cell and gene therapy-focused facilities, with additional locations in Milan, Italy and Longmont, Colorado, USA.

More details at www.agcbio.com.

-- BERNAMA