AGC Biologics Supports Omicron-based Vaccine Candidate Manufacturing with Starting Material

AGC Biologics, a leading global Biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), announced an expanded partnership to supply more plasmid DNA (pDNA) starting material for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the company’s Heidelberg facility.

According to a recent news release from Pfizer and BioNTech, the companies have started to develop an Omicron-based COVID-19 vaccine with first batches expected to be ready for delivery by end of March 2022.

“We are proud to continue to support BioNTech and supply them with pDNA materials for their vaccine production, as a part of the fight against new pandemic variants,” said AGC Biologics Chief Executive Officer, Patricio Massera. “Our pDNA services are a part of our growing global Cell and Gene Therapy offering that includes the development and manufacturing of cell therapies, viral vectors, and messenger RNA.”

“This type of work is what drives us every day,” says AGC Biologics General Manager, Heidelberg, Dieter Kramer. “We appreciate this opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of people around the world and produce life-saving treatments.”

The AGC Biologics Heidelberg facility has more than 20 years of experience delivering a wide range of programs for customers. The site is the company’s Center of Excellence for pDNA production, and a central part of the AGC Biologics global network of cell and gene therapy-focused facilities, with additional locations in Milan, Italy and Longmont, Colorado, USA.