Page 152 - CW E-Magazine (18-6-2024)

News from Abroad

BOOSTING BIOTECH CAPABILITIES
Wacker opens mRNA competence centre in Germany

German chemicals fi rm, Wacker,
recently opened an mRNA competence
centre at its biotech site in Halle (Saale),
Germany. The new facility, involving
investment of more than Euro 100-mn,
enables the large-scale production of
active ingredients based on messenger
ribonucleic acid (mRNA), such as
anti-COVID mRNA vaccines.

“Four new production lines have
more than trebled the site’s capacity,
some of which will be available to the
German government as part of its pan-
demic-preparedness programme. The
remaining production capacity is for
other customers. The fi rst contracts in
this regard have already been signed,”
Wacker said in a press note.

“Our expertise in making mRNA vac-
cines will contribute to the fi ght against
future pandemics,” said Wacker’s CEO
Mr. Christian Hartel during the opening
ceremony. “It has taken us just two years
to build a high-tech production facility
with an annual capacity of more than
200-million vaccine doses – an unrivalled
achievement in this fi eld, which demon-
strates true German effi ciency,” he added.

“Medicine is making great strides
thanks to mRNA technology, which isn’t
just confi ned to vaccines. For instance,
this technology gives us an opportunity vaccine shortage during the coronavirus extremely short time. The two com-
to offer cancer patients targeted pandemic, the German government has panies will receive an annual stand-by
support going forward,” explained secured the production and supply of fee for keeping production capacity and
Ms. Melanie Käsmarker, Managing vaccines for the future. Companies were expertise available. The stand-by phase
Director of Wacker Biotech. Wacker able to apply for pandemic-preparedness will last for at least fi ve years. Should
Biotech bundles the Wacker Group’s contracts with the German government. the need arise, the German government
biopharmaceutical activities and manu- As joint bidders for the production read- will contact the developer of the specifi c
factures active ingredients in Halle and iness of mRNA-based vaccines, Wacker mRNA vaccine that is required. Wacker
at other sites for market and clinical and CordenPharma were among those and CordenPharma will then jointly
trials conducted by pharmaceutical companies awarded a contract. In the produce this mRNA vaccine in line
companies. “Based in Halle, we’ll be able event of a new pandemic, Wacker and with the highest pharmaceutical quality
to meet the globally rising demand for CordenPharma intend to produce 80- standards. Most of the production steps
mRNA actives,” she added. Given the initial million vaccine doses a year within an will take place in Germany.

152 Chemical Weekly June 18, 2024

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised