[Report] First Domestic Production of mRNA Vaccine Shipped... "Bulk Production to be Established by First Half of Next Year" (Comprehensive)

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On the morning of the 28th, a truck carrying Moderna COVID-19 vaccines produced at Samsung Biologics in Songdo International City, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, is leaving the site. These vaccines are the initial batch consigned by Samsung Biologics and are being supplied domestically for the first time.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Songdo (Incheon) = Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] "We succeeded in securing a contract with Moderna amid fierce competition in the global market and delivered the vaccine in an unprecedentedly short period of five months. South Korea, once a barren land for the bioindustry, has grown into a hub." (John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics)

On the morning of the 28th, the first shipment ceremony of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which Samsung Biologics contracted for contract manufacturing (CMO) and completed drug product (DP) production, was held at the Samsung Biologics factory in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. The vaccine shipped this time is the first messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine produced domestically. The vehicle transporting the vaccine bore the phrase, "First shipment of domestically produced Moderna vaccine! South Korea leads the global vaccine hub."

The expressions and words of those attending the shipment ceremony vividly conveyed their joy at successfully producing the mRNA vaccine in just five months. Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who gave a congratulatory speech, also mentioned the "Samsung speed," emphasizing, "Through the production of the Moderna vaccine, we have once again experienced Samsung's remarkable speed." Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "(Domestic COVID-19 vaccine production) was first done by SK Bioscience with AstraZeneca, and this is the second," adding, "I am very pleased that the government and Samsung Biologics have closely cooperated to establish a stable vaccine production base domestically."

Following this, Leader Song and Minister Kwon each attached red seals to the front and rear of the vehicle. They personally affixed red sealing tape with a yellow warning label stating "Do not open arbitrarily," writing the date and their signatures.

Democratic Party of Korea leader Song Young-gil is holding a vaccine transport seal at the Moderna vaccine shipment ceremony held on the morning of the 28th at Samsung Biologics in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. / Photo by Joint Press Corps

This production and shipment of Moderna vaccines by Samsung Biologics was achieved in just about five months after signing the CMO contract with Moderna in May. Since the mRNA vaccine process was unfamiliar and had to be prepared from scratch, many in the industry initially predicted that production would only be possible by the end of the year at the earliest. A Samsung Biologics official said, "From immediately after the contract, we focused all efforts on aiming for production by the end of the third quarter," adding, "We have only achieved the initially set goal."

Samsung Biologics formed a company-wide dedicated task force (TF) right after the contract to concentrate all capabilities. By June, the following month, they completed hiring personnel and introducing production equipment, finishing preparations and successfully conducting pilot production by the end of August. Since then, the factory has been operating 24 hours a day in four shifts, continuing into commercial production.

This vaccine shipment is significant as it is the first domestic mRNA vaccine production and the second domestically produced vaccine supplied to the public. Particularly, if the contract for the Janssen vaccine, currently under CMO discussion with GC Green Cross, is finalized, South Korea will have domestic production capabilities for all vaccines used in domestic inoculations except Pfizer, positioning the country as a genuine vaccine powerhouse.

CEO John Rim stated, "We plan to establish a raw material pharmaceutical production line by the first half of next year," and expressed determination, saying, "We will invest in various therapeutics and vaccines to overcome the pandemic early and do our best with a sense of mission to help South Korea grow into a global vaccine hub."

The vaccines shipped this time amount to 2,435,000 doses, which is virtually the entire initial production volume of Samsung Biologics. About half, 1,121,000 doses, were shipped on the day, and the remaining 1,314,000 doses will be shipped on the 29th. The shipped vaccines will be transferred to GC Green Cross's Ochang factory, responsible for domestic distribution of the Moderna vaccine, and then used nationwide for vaccination.

Medical staff are collecting samples at a temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 28th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, ahead of the transition to a "step-by-step daily recovery (With COVID)" quarantine system next month, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases has risen again to the 2,000 range after 20 days. The quarantine authorities are on alert, anticipating various events and gatherings, especially among foreigners, during the upcoming Halloween weekend.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 2,111 new domestic COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total to 358,412. Of these, 2,095 were domestic cases and 16 were imported. This is 159 more than the previous day, which saw an increase of 686 cases. The recent rise in cases is attributed to the slight relaxation of private gathering limits since the 18th, leading to more meetings, and a decrease in quarantine vigilance ahead of the With COVID transition.

The outbreak continues to be centered in the metropolitan area. By region, Seoul reported 785 cases, Gyeonggi 707, and Incheon 136, totaling 1,628 cases (77.7%) in the metropolitan area. The number of locally transmitted cases in the metropolitan area remained in the 1,000 range for two consecutive days. Outside the metropolitan area, cases were reported mainly in Daegu (106), Chungnam (82), Chungbuk (54), and Busan (51). The death toll increased by 11 from the previous day, totaling 2,808, with a fatality rate of 0.78%. The number of critically ill patients rose by 4 to 345.

Professor Jung Jae-hoon of Gachon University College of Medicine said, "The number of confirmed cases is not expected to decrease significantly," adding, "With the step-by-step daily recovery starting next month, the number of cases is expected to increase further."