Moderna Inc., a biotechnology company that has helped advance messenger RNA (mRNA) treatments and vaccines, recently announced an updated supply agreement with the UK government for up to 60 million doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, according to a press release.
The updated supply agreement could also include approved booster vaccine candidates, with the delivery of up to 29 million doses scheduled for 2022 and approximately 31 million doses scheduled by 2023.
“We thank the UK government for their support in this supply agreement for our mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and booster candidates, if approved, in 2022 and 2023,” Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s chief executive officer, said in the press release. “This agreement reflects the efforts of the UK government to address the ongoing pandemic and builds on our existing collaboration to protect people in the UK.”
Specifically, the agreement stipulates that the UK government reserves the right to either boost its purchases by up to 20% beyond contractual quantities in 2022 and 2023, or to decrease them by the same percentage.
The company has also spent more than a decade developing and expanding its clinical portfolio of vaccine and therapy concepts across six therapeutic categories.
Moderna's mRNA platform is based on continual advancements in fundamental and applied mRNA research, delivery technology and manufacturing, and has enabled the manufacture of infectious disease treatments and vaccines.
"mRNA medicines are sets of instructions," according to Moderna's website, "And these instructions direct cells in the body to make proteins to prevent or fight disease."
Additionally, Moderna fosters connections with a diverse spectrum of domestic and international government and commercial partners, enabling the development of both innovative research and efficient production.
Recently, the company consolidated its capabilities to enable the authorized use of one of the first and most efficient COVID-19 pandemic vaccines.
For the last seven years, Science magazine has recognized the company as a leading biopharmaceutical employer.