Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies are doubling down on efforts to come up with their own version of messenger RNA vaccines for Covid-19, while Samsung Biologics has embarked on expansion to accommodate production for Moderna’s mRNA vaccine.

Hanmi Science and GeneOne Life Science announced on Monday they entered into an agreement for joint research to ensure massive production of mRNA shots. The two companies will study technologies to increase production yield, while cooperating in the study and commercialization of their own Covid-19 vaccine.

The two said their collaboration is part of a project to localize an mRNA vaccine in a consortium joined by more than 10 Korean companies.

Samsung Biologics said on Monday it will expand cGMP-grade facilities to produce substances for mRNA vaccines in Songdo by the first half of 2022.

The company said the project is the extension of its business portfolio to achieve its long-term goal of becoming a comprehensive biopharma. Samsung Biologics, which started business dedicated to contract manufacturing, has expanded business areas to include contract development and manufacturing, while upscaling to meet growing demand for therapeutics around the world.

On May 23, Samsung Biologics signed a contract to produce finished Covid-19 vaccines for Moderna. Under the contract, Samsung Biologics will be responsible for vial filling, labeling, and packaging of vaccine bulk from Moderna.

Samsung Biologics’ annual biologics production capacity reaches 364,000 liters and it aims to increase it to 620,000 liters by 2023.

By Kim Byung-ho and Minu Kim

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]