On April 11, 2022 CureVac N.V. (Nasdaq: CVAC), a global biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of transformative medicines based on messenger ribonucleic acid ("mRNA"), and GSK reported that they have entered into a contract with the German federal government to supply mRNA vaccines within a broader tender for pandemic preparedness in Germany (Press release, CureVac, APR 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234611963]). Following a setup period of a maximum of two years, the contract grants the German federal government access to CureVac’s manufacturing capacity until 2029, enabling rapid availability of 80 million mRNA-based vaccine doses during the remainder of the current pandemic or in future infectious disease outbreaks. By reserving this manufacturing capacity, the tender seeks to mitigate risks associated with potential supply bottlenecks in a pandemic situation. Under the contract, the federal government will pay CureVac and GSK an annual standby fee after successful completion of the setup period, which requires the companies to maintain manufacturing capacity at constant readiness. By ensuring the availability of manufacturing capacities in Germany, the arrangement will significantly contribute to strengthening pandemic preparedness.
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"Over the last two years, our social and economic lives as well as global healthcare systems and medical supply infrastructures were severely challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Franz-Werner Haas, Chief Executive Officer of CureVac. "This underscored the importance of having access to innovative technology platforms, such as mRNA technology, as well as corresponding robust manufacturing capacities to rapidly develop and deliver life-saving vaccines – particularly as a protective measure in case of future infectious disease emergencies. Considering the unpredictable and variant-driven course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are fully committed to safeguarding public health today and into the future."
"We welcome this announcement of the German federal government, which aims to strengthen the country’s preparedness against future pandemics," said Roger Connor, President of Vaccines and Global Health, GSK. "Our mRNA development program in collaboration with CureVac could play a key role for pandemic preparedness thanks to adaptability of the mRNA technology and its potential for a rapid response, in combination with our significant vaccine manufacturing expertise."