BioNTech Snaps Up Novartis’ German Site to Expand Coronavirus Vaccine Output

BioNTech announced that it signed a share purchase agreement to acquire Novartis’ manufacturing facility in Marburg, Germany, a move it says will bolster its COVID-19 vaccine production capacity by up to 750 million doses per year, or over 60 million doses per month. BioNTech, whose Pfizer-partnered coronavirus vaccine BNT162b2 is currently in phase 3 testing, said it plans to be able to produce up to 250 million doses of the candidate in the first half of 2021, when the facility is slated to become fully operational.

Pfizer and BioNTech were previously aiming to supply up to 100 million doses worldwide by the end of 2020 and an additional 1.3 billion doses by the end of next year. However, a company spokeswoman noted that while the new site, with its roughly 300 staff that will join BioNTech, will allow for a larger 2021 output target, it is not yet clear by how much on balance. BioNTech said the site will contribute to the production of the COVID-19 vaccine for global supply, including to China, where it is partnered with Fosun Pharma.

“From a strategic standpoint, the new site will bolster our vertically integrated business model with in-house manufacturing capabilities for mRNA manufacturing as well as vaccine formulation,” remarked Sierk Poetting, chief financial and operating officer at BioNTech. He added “we are working closely with Novartis to prepare for a smooth transition.”

Novartis made ‘significant’ investments

According to BioNTech, Novartis has “significantly invested” in the Behringwerke site in Marburg over the past 5 years, adding that it is fully equipped for the production of recombinant proteins as well as cell and gene therapies. The facility also holds cell culture laboratories and viral vector production capabilities, which BioNTech says gives it the potential for long-term growth and expansion. The company plans to manufacture additional therapeutic and vaccine drug candidates at the plant as well, such as other mRNA vaccine, antibody, and cell and gene therapy product candidates to support its cancer and infectious disease pipeline.

BioNTech said the facility is expected to operate as one of the largest mRNA manufacturing sites in Europe, alongside two of its own existing vaccine production sites in Germany. Meanwhile, Pfizer has at least four manufacturing sites in the US and Europe, it added. No financial details were disclosed, and BioNTech and Novartis anticipate that the transaction will be finalised in the fourth quarter.

BNT162b2 is the lead candidate in Pfizer and BioNTech’s BNT162 program, which now includes four other mRNA vaccine candidates currently in clinical testing in the US, Europe, South America and China. Earlier this week, Pfizer reported that “no safety signal” turned up in an ongoing Phase III study of BNT162b2, with study participants so far exhibiting only mild-to-moderate side effects such as fatigue and headache.