Under the deal signed Tuesday, Samsung Biologics will serve as a "preferred" manufacturer for vaccines developed with CEPI support. The company will be capable of producing up to 50 million vaccine doses and drug substances convertible into 1 billion doses of finished vaccine products upon request during a pandemic outbreak.
The partnership, backed by an initial investment of about $20 million, forms part of CEPI's "100 Day Mission" initiative, which aims to secure early vaccine approvals and large-scale manufacturing readiness within 100 days of a pandemic declaration.
Samsung Biologics will also conduct simulation exercises assuming a wild-type H5 influenza outbreak to verify its rapid response capabilities.
"This agreement reflects our commitment to supporting a reliable and agile vaccine supply ecosystem through continued innovation and strong collaboration. It also contributes to Korea's ability to secure timely access to vaccines during urgent public-health situations," said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics.
CEPI, headquartered in Norway, was launched at the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos to develop vaccines against emerging infectious diseases. The coalition counts more than 30 governments, including South Korea, and numerous global pharmaceutical companies among its members.
The agreement also stipulates that vaccines produced by Samsung Biologics will be supplied to South Korea on a priority basis at CEPI's request during a pandemic. The company previously demonstrated its manufacturing prowess in 2021 when it became the first in South Korea to produce Moderna's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, delivering doses just five months after signing a contract.
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