Moderna Expands Production Line... Aiming to Triple Vaccine Output Next Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Moderna is expanding its production lines in the United States to increase the production of its COVID-19 vaccine.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 21st (local time) that "Moderna will add two production lines at its vaccine factory in Norwood, on the outskirts of Boston." One will start operating this fall, and the other in early next year.

As a result, the number of production lines at the Norwood factory will increase from the existing three to five. This will boost the factory's COVID-19 vaccine production capacity by 50%.

WSJ analyzed that "Moderna's plan to expand production lines is a significant bet on the possibility of a prolonged COVID-19 vaccine business."

The new production lines are expected to produce booster shots and low-dose vaccines for children.

Moderna currently produces 40 to 50 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine monthly at the Norwood factory and other contract manufacturers in the United States.

In addition to the U.S., Moderna has recently signed new contract manufacturing agreements with overseas companies, including Samsung Biologics, focusing on expanding production capacity.

Through this, Moderna aims to increase its annual COVID-19 vaccine production from 1 billion doses this year to about 3 billion doses next year, approximately tripling its output.

CEO St?phane Bancel said, "Our plan and hope is to obtain export authorization so that once the U.S. secures sufficient vaccine quantities, we can help as many countries worldwide as possible."

Moderna, once a startup, has expanded its business thanks to the success of its COVID-19 vaccine. Last year, it hired 500 new employees, increasing its total workforce to 1,300. It is now using the entire headquarters building on the outskirts of Norwood, which it previously only partially leased, and has opened offices in Switzerland and Poland.