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Moderna announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Chinese officials to conduct research, development, and manufacturing of messenger RNA medicines within China. This deal comes at a time of escalating tensions between the United States and China, demonstrating Moderna’s commitment to global partnerships and innovation in the field of biotech.
According to a spokesperson from Moderna, the Massachusetts-based company has signed a memorandum of understanding and a land collaboration deal that will focus on the development of drugs exclusively for the Chinese people. It was further clarified that these drugs will not be exported.
The Chinese media outlet Yicai reported that Moderna’s investment in China could be valued at approximately $1 billion, although the company has not confirmed this figure. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel also made a visit to Shanghai, further highlighting the significance of this partnership.
In a statement, the Moderna spokesperson emphasized that these agreements aim to strengthen health security by addressing unmet medical needs and contributing to the broader ecosystem of medical solutions available to patients in China.
This collaboration builds upon Moderna’s success with its mRNA Covid vaccine, which has garnered international recognition. The company has existing contracts for the export and local manufacturing of Covid vaccines to various countries, including Japan, Canada, Australia, and Kenya. However, the deal with China marks Moderna’s first agreement in the country and expands beyond Covid shots to include the development of mRNA medicines.
Moderna’s interest in the Chinese market was evident when the company registered a legal entity in China with the intention of selling its mRNA Covid vaccine. Despite the effectiveness of Moderna and other U.S.-based vaccines, the Chinese government has prioritized the use of Chinese-made vaccines for its population. However, China has faced challenges in developing mRNA technology domestically, with its first mRNA shot only being approved earlier this year.
Separately, China’s Ministry of Commerce held a meeting with leading global drugmakers, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Merck, Sanofi, and GE HealthCare Technologies. It remains unclear whether Moderna was included in this discussion, but the meeting underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in the pharmaceutical industry.
Moderna’s deal with China arrives amidst heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, prompting the Biden administration to implement measures diversifying investment and trade away from China. Despite these challenges, Moderna’s collaboration exemplifies the company’s commitment to international cooperation and driving advancements in biotechnology.
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