Blood samples have been prepared for analysis by laboratory technicians at Excel Research Sites in Dalland, Florida, USA on August 4, 2020.
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Modern this week’s announcement that its vaccine is more than%% effective in preventing coronavirus, according to preliminary trial figures, has raised global hopes that a resolution for an epidemic that killed more than 1.3 million people could be in sight.
The same positive news from Pfizer and Bioentech came after news that their vaccine candidates are more than 90% effective. Moderna’s news was hailed as a “game changer” and Pfizer’s chief executive called the vaccine achievement an “excellent day for science and humanity.”
As the market continued to rush on the news, the unprecedented logistical challenge posed by vaccine production and distribution immediately drew attention to practical matters, if they were to receive final regulatory approval for a global population of nearly one billion.
Vaccines need to be produced and transported in certain (and cold) conditions otherwise they may be rendered ineffective; This is a major challenge for global drug manufacturers when it comes to vaccine distribution.
Swiss drugmaker Lonza has partnered with Moderna and says it aims to produce 400 million doses of the vaccine annually. U.S. The company has set a total target of 500 million to 1 billion doses by 2021. Anyone who has been vaccinated will need two doses, according to Fischer’s Schwartz, which shows how long it will take to vaccinate internationally, with current production capacity.
Lonza will produce components, formally known as mRNA-1273, in the modern vaccine, at its facility in the US and Switzerland, where it is headquartered. Albert Beheni, chairman of the company, told CNBC about the “big challenges” facing drugmakers like him when it comes to increasing production.
He said, “If we install additional manufacturing lines we can only produce more than 500 million doses a year, so it is clear that if we want to produce 500 million more (in the future) in the future we need additional investments in installation. . ” CNBC’s “Squawk Europe vs Europe” on Wednesday.
Behni identified further challenges to vaccine production that the company faced in starting a partnership with Moderena.
“There are some issues, the first is speed. We started only 10, 11 months ago and now we are building the first commercial groups of drug substance in North America, and we are planning one or the first batch of commercial volume. Two weeks in Switzerland. , So speed is becoming a challenge. “
“The second challenge is to find people. For each manufacturing line you need 60-70 educated people. We have set up four manufacturing lines so you have to identify and train these people.”
“Then connected to the speed (issue), you have to access the devices, install the devices, and then test your manufacturing facility, so (this is) big challenges, solved or almost solved, in less than a year.”
Temperature, and keeping vaccines cool enough during transport, is another big challenge.
The Pfizer vaccine requires storage at a temperature of minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit or -70 degrees Celsius. By comparison, Moderna said Monday that its vaccine remains stable at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit – the standard home or medical refrigerator temperature – for 30 days. It can be stored for up to six months at minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
“That’s the standard position of the pharmaceutical industry,” Beheni said. “So I don’t see many problems with the delivery, shipping and storage of modern vaccines.”
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