AstraZeneca and IDT Biologika are exploring options to accelerate output of finished COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in the second quarter of 2021.
AstraZeneca and IDT Biologika also intend to strengthen Europe’s vaccine manufacturing capability with a joint investment to build large additional drug substance capacity for the future. Details of the agreement are to be finalized. Both companies plan to invest in capacity expansion at IDT Biologika’s production site in Dessau, Germany to build up to five 2,000-litre bioreactors capable of making tens of millions of doses per month of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. The new assets are estimated to be operational by the end of 2022.
The investment could also allow for the manufacture of other vaccines sharing a similar manufacturing process, greatly expanding Europe’s domestic vaccine production capability, states the company.
“This agreement will greatly help Europe build an independent vaccine manufacturing capability that will allow it to meet the challenges of the current pandemic and create strategic supply capacity for the future. We are delighted to be investing with our partner IDT Biologika in the future health, security and wellbeing of millions of citizens across Europe. I would like to thank the German Federal Government and the European Commission for their support in our efforts,” says Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca.
On 29 January, COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca was granted a conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) in the European Union (EU) for active immunisation to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, in individuals 18 years of age and older.
