Input 2020.12.31 11:00
“The Korean government is putting great importance on the development of new bio drugs, and Korean companies have strong production capacity,” said Bancell CEO.
Blue House spokesman Kang Min-seok also said, “We have decided to strengthen cooperation for consignment production of moder and vaccines by Korean companies.” However, he said that there are no specific issues to be discussed.
In the pharmaceutical industry, GC Green Cross, Hanmi Pharm, Samsung Biologics, and ST Pharm are among the companies that can consign a modder or vaccine. The most promising candidates are GC Green Cross and Hanmi Pharmaceutical.
GC Green Cross signed a facility use contract with the Infectious Disease Prevention and Innovation Alliance (CEPI) in October. CEPI operates the COVAX Facility with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Vaccine Immunity Association (GAVI). Accordingly, GC Green Cross will produce 500 million doses of the corona vaccine of the developer designated by CEPI (including Modena) from March 2021 to May of the following year. As Green Cross has already signed a vaccine production contract with CEPI, it is highly likely to produce modders or vaccines, according to the pharmaceutical industry analysis. In particular, it is also highly likely that GC Green Cross recently arranged large-scale consignment production at the Ochang plant in Chungbuk.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical is also mentioned as one of the candidates. This is because the Hanmi Pharmaceutical Bioplant, located in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, can produce up to 1 billion doses of vaccine per year. In particular, it is known that this facility can produce 20 million doses of mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine per week. It is an analysis that Modena’s vaccine is as likely as mRNA.
ST Farm is also mentioned. Estipharm is known to have been steadily preparing for mass production of mRNA vaccines and treatments. According to related industries, the company has expanded related facilities, predicting that anticancer vaccines using the mRNA method will be promising from 3 years ago. In particular, to expand new business, ST Pharm has not only newly established the mRNA business development room directly under the CEO, but is also steadily expanding related facilities. However, it is also evaluated that the volume of other consignment production that has already been received is large and that the mass production capacity of the mRNA-type vaccine is insufficient.
Samsung Biologics is also discussed, but it is evaluated that the possibility is not high. This is because Samsung Biologics has already signed contracts for consignment production of COVID-19 treatments with a number of global pharmaceutical companies, and it is necessary to establish new facilities for mass production of mRNA vaccines.
Reporter Yoo Jin-sang [email protected]
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