US-based vaccine manufacturer Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) has registered a new subsidiary in the Minhang district of Shanghai with an investment of USD 100 million. The new unit is controlled by Moderna Biotech UK, and the legal representative is Christoph Brackmann, Moderna’s vice-president of finance, as reported by a local media outlet.
Moderna’s mRNA Technology and Global Impact
Moderna’s mRNA technology was pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the company being the first to introduce a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine globally, in partnership with Germany’s BioNTech. To date, no overseas mRNA vaccine has been approved in China, and Moderna anticipates that single dosage combination vaccines for respiratory diseases, including influenza and COVID-19, will be a growing trend.
Strategic Move for Chinese Market Approval
Establishing a local entity in China is expected to facilitate the approval process for Moderna’s mRNA vaccines in the Chinese market. The company is currently developing a combination vaccine against COVID-19 and influenza, as well as a vaccine for the prevention of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Additionally, a triple vaccine targeting COVID-19, influenza, and RSV is in the early stages of development.
Future Market Expectations and Broader mRNA Applications
Paul Burton, chief medical officer of Moderna, has indicated that the combination vaccine is expected to be available in the US market as early as 2025. Beyond respiratory diseases, Moderna is also exploring the development of mRNA vaccines as new solutions for a range of conditions, including cancer and heart disease.-Fineline Info & Tech
