Moderna plans to build an mRNA vaccine manufacturing plant in Canada to make COVID-19 shots and other vaccines, the company announced Aug. 10, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The facility is to be built, owned and operated by Moderna, but the exact location has not been determined. Moderna is discussing plans to build more plants in countries in Europe and Asia as well, but didn't specify which ones, the Journal reported.
The Canadian plant will fulfill Canadian orders for both COVID-19 booster shots and other vaccines the company is developing. It will be able to manufacture any vaccine approved in Canada, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel told the Journal.
He added that it will be similar to the drugmaker's main manufacturing facility in Norwood, Mass., and likely employ a couple hundred people.
Moderna predicts construction will be completed by the end of 2024.
Canada has agreed to purchase a set number of vaccines from the plant, but the government did not disclose how many.
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