Moderna begins at-risk vax production

July 16, 2020

Armed with positive trial results from an early study of its coronavirus vaccine candidate, Moderna is already cranking out a commercial supply of its highly anticipated shot.

This week, the company released more details about an early study of 45 healthy participants showing that its mRNA vaccine candidate produced antibodies at every dosing level with no serious side effects. Although it is still unclear if the vaccine will be effective enough to work long-term on the general population, Moderna has already begun manufacturing doses for commercial distribution.

During a conference call, the company’s CEO said it is working with its contracting partners, including Lonza and Catalent, to produce the vaccine at three sites across the U.S., and that it will continue to do so “every day, every week, every month.”

Moderna’s goal is to produce 500 million to 1 billion doses per year by 2021. 

The company is now getting ready to launch a phase 3 trial involving 30,000 participants across the U.S. this month. 

Read the Reuters report.