The new move will allow Samsung Biologics to provide end-to-end mRNA vaccine manufacturing services from bulk drug substance to aseptic fill-finish
Samsung Biologics plans to add mRNA vaccine production line in Songdo. (Credit: Samsung Biologics.)
South Korean firm Samsung Biologics has unveiled plans to add mRNA vaccine drug substance (DS) manufacturing capability to the current facility in Songdo, Seoul.
The company stated that mRNA technology is known for its characteristics of safety and fast scalability in manufacturing and has been the technology of choice for several Covid-19 vaccines.
The latest move will help Samsung Biologics to offer end-to-end mRNA vaccine manufacturing services from bulk drug substance to aseptic fill/finish, including labelling & packaging and cold chain storage.
The mRNA vaccine drug substance manufacturing line is expected to be operational by the first half of 2022.
Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim said: “We are constantly assessing various ways that we can expand and persify our current business portfolio to better serve the market.
“We are committed to helping our clients provide quality treatments and vaccines to all those in need around the world, especially in difficult times like this, and with this extended capability, we hope to support our partners in bringing novel mRNA vaccines and therapeutics to market at a faster pace.”
As part of its global expansion plans, the company opened a new research and development (R&D) centre in San Francisco, US.
The new R&D facility will help Samsung Biologics to move its contract development services closer to biotech and pharmaceutical firms in the Bay Area.
The company’s proprietary cell line technology, S-CHOice, demonstrated enhanced cell viability and improved titers up to two-fold from the industry average, facilitating reduced development timelines and high-performing product offerings.
Samsung Biologics said that it is also constructing its fourth and largest bio-manufacturing facility in Incheon, South Korea.
Once completed, the company will have a total of 620,000 litres of cell culture capacity.
Last month, Samsung Biologics signed a manufacturing services and supply agreement with Moderna for large-scale commercial fill-finish manufacturing of the latter’s Covid-19 vaccine.