Canada makes agreement with Moderna Inc. to build a Canadian mRNA vaccine facility
MONTRÉAL, Aug. 10, 2021 – Today, the Government of Canada annoucned it has established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with leading COVID-19 vaccine developer Moderna, Inc. to build a state-of-the-art mRNA vaccine production facility in Canada. Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced this major milestone in Canada’s strategy to rebuild the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector.
As for the location of the new facility, it has yet to be chosen. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel who joined Minister François-Philippe Champagne in Montreal to announce the new facility said Moderna would evaluate options taking into consideration the physical space requirements and a city’s biomedical talent pool before making its decision over the coming weeks.
The MOU outlines how Moderna plans to establish a Canadian mRNA vaccine facility and work as a valued partner in Canada’s life sciences ecosystem by creating jobs and collaborating on domestic research and development. This partnership will help make sure Canada is more prepared for future pandemics, while creating good, highly skilled jobs.
Although Canada has an impressive history in biomanufacturing and life sciences, a decades-long decline in the sector left Canada without the large-scale and flexible biomanufacturing capacity necessary to quickly produce a COVID-19 vaccine when the pandemic hit. As a result the Canadian government has been working to rebuild Canada’s domestic biomanufacturing sector by focusing on both quick strategic actions and a long–term vision.
According to the Government of Canada’s news release, “since the start of the pandemic, over $1.2 billion has been invested to rebuild Canada’s vaccines, therapeutics and biomanufacturing capacity.”
“This partnership strengthens the capacity for Canada to produce vaccines at home. By supporting Canada’s biomanufacturing sector, we are protecting Canadians, strengthening our pandemic preparedness and creating jobs. Our support for Moderna will give Canadians world-class access to vaccines made on Canadian soil for years to come.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health
The federal government says Canada already has a strong foundation in mRNA research, development and commercialization. Canadian science excellence in vaccine technologies contributed to the discovery and use of mRNA technology, and Moderna, as a pioneering company, has always been at the forefront of its development. This announcement will contribute to the development of Canadian expertise and foster partnerships between the company and Canadian experts. This will help position Canada as an mRNA centre of excellence and a global mRNA research and development hub.
“I want to thank the Government of Canada for the exceptional partnership it has built with Moderna during the pandemic response. As Moderna expands internationally, we see Canada as an important partner, and we are delighted to be able to help the country ensure local supply and manufacturing capability of breakthrough mRNA technology on Canadian soil.”– Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer, Moderna
Moderna’s plans to establish an mRNA vaccine production facility in Canada align with the objectives of the recently announced Biomanufacturing and Life Science Strategy. The move will help strengthen the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector’s entire value chain—from research and development, to talent acquisition and retention, to increased clinical trial capacity—and make Canada’s overall industrial capability stronger.
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