Moderna drives vaccine production from Basel
Despite an ongoing pandemic, several major life sciences companies have set up shop in Basel in the last few months. One of them is Moderna, a US biotech company currently working on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. The Economic Development team extends a warm welcome to Moderna and its growing team.
Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), the biotech firm has established a subsidiary in Basel-Stadt close to Lonza, which is Moderna’s production partner. Moderna is advancing the production of the coronavirus vaccine from here. The Swiss government has just signed a supply contract with the US company for 4.5 million doses of the vaccine.
The attractiveness of the biotech ecosystem in the Basel area has been underlined following Moderna’s successful establishment of a new subsidiary in the region, the first regional hub and commercial organization outside of North America.
This announcement follows the appointment of Nicolas Chornet, Senior Vice President International Manufacturing, Europe, who was most recently joined by Dan Staner as Vice President, Head of Europe/Switzerland, Middle East & Africa Region. “Establishing a European presence for Moderna is key to delivering on our manufacturing commitments outside of the U.S., and an important aspect of our future growth plans”, explains Chornet, who previously spent ten years working for Novartis. Mr. Staner, who brings over 25 years of experience in the global pharmaceutical industry, principally with Eli Lilly adds, “I look forward to working with Switzerland’s healthcare stakeholders as we face the immediate challenge of COVID-19. This is a wonderful opportunity for Switzerland to continue its leading role in innovation and biopharmaceuticals for the benefit of society globally.”
The government has reached an agreement with Moderna for the delivery of 4.5 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine. Moderna’ s Covid vaccine has now fully enrolled its Phase 3 COVE trial in the US, with 30,000 participants representing a diverse set of participants including those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease. “With Moderna’s vaccine candidate for COVID-19 now fully enrolled in its Phase 3 study, we’re pleased to have Nicolas building our capabilities to deliver mRNA solutions to Europe and other countries outside the US, from Switzerland with our strategic partner Lonza. Since Moderna’s founding, Switzerland has played an important role in Moderna’s development thanks to the long-term support of our Swiss investors and their business advice. Opening our first subsidiary outside North America in Switzerland is a natural step for Moderna.”, comments Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.