Pfizer will produce its COVID-19 vaccine from its Grange Castle facility in Dublin, as part of a $40 million investment. The firm’s partnership with BioNTech saw Pfizer become the first company to bring a messenger RNA-based product to market, namely the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty (BNT162b2). Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla told shareholders at its annual meeting in April that it is comfortable the firm will produce 3 billion doses of the vaccine in 2021 and will further invest in its manufacturing…

Argenx says it is ready to launch antibody fragment efgartigimod late this year despite alleged supply chain concerns stemming from its CDMO Lonza. Argenx’s lead candidate efgartigimod is a first-in-class investigational antibody fragment targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). The candidate is being evaluated for the treatment of patients with severe autoimmune diseases and has been accepted for review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG). With a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA)…

Gennao Bio has raised 40 million in Series A financing to support its gene monoclonal antibody platform (GMAB) and the development of targeted nucleic acid therapeutics. Non-viral gene therapy firm Gennao Bio has raised $40 million with finances led by Logos Capital, OrbiMed and Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company). “Proceeds from the financing will enable us to accelerate the advancement of our proprietary, first-in-class gene monoclonal antibody platform (GMAB) and the development of targeted nucleic acid therapeutics for the treatment…

Maravai LifeSciences highlighted expansions at customers Pfizer and BioNTech as indicators that demand for mRNA capping solutions will continue to grow. Maravai attained its messenger RNA (mRNA) capping solution, called CleanCap, through the acquisition of contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) TriLink BioTechnologies in 2016. In its first quarter 2021, the firm reported $91 million in CleanCap revenue, an increase of 76% when compared to Q4 2020. Going forward the firm “expect continued strong demand from our existing COVID-19 CleanCap…

German CDMO Richter-Helm will install both stainless-steel and single-use technologies at a new facility at its Bovenau site, increasing total biomanufacturing capacity three-fold. Self-proclaimed mid-sized contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Richter-Helm has facilities in Hannover and Bovenau, Germany, with bioreactor capacities of up to 1,500 liters. But the CDMO is looking to benefit from continuous growth in demand for biomanufacturing capacity and services, and on May 5 broke ground on a new €70 million ($85 million) at the Bovenau…