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BioNTech, the German biotechnology company that has developed one of the most successful mRNA vaccines against coronavirus with American Pfizer, is working on a new system to produce vaccines inside containers. This new way, can facilitate the production of doses in countries where there are no large industrial plants suitable to do so, as in African countries. This new finding could significantly improve the supply of vaccines in poor countries, and at the same time BioNTech could better protect economic interests.
Such a project plans to use up to 12 containers similar to those used to transport goods on merchant ships, which will be interconnected and equipped with the machinery and equipment needed to produce vaccines. At full capacity, each mini-factory will be able to produce 40 to 60 million doses of vaccine per year, which can be used on the production site or exported to neighboring countries. BioNTech is confident that it will be able to significantly reduce production costs compared to a traditional plant, which goes up to about $ 170 million.
The first experimental phase will involve an African country, BioNTech confirmed, without giving further details. However, the company is in contact with the governments of South Africa, Rwanda and Senegal and therefore it is likely that the first containers will be delivered to one of these countries.
With the exception of delays, the installation will be completed by the end of this year, and the activation of the system will take several months. Local staff will need to be trained as they will first assist BioNTech technicians and then take control of the containers.
For The Economist, the head of BioNTech, Ugur Sahin, said that he had started contacts with the African Union, the organization that coordinates the activities and protects the interests of African countries in the international arena, but also with several other health institutions.
These mini-factories must be equipped with the necessary authorizations and certificates necessary to produce pharmaceutical products, following local rules and laws on drug safety. This whole process can take up to a year, making the containers fully functional only at the end of 2023.
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