USA- HHS will contribute around US$11m to help Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM) produce Jynneos, a vaccine authorized to prevent smallpox and monkeypox.
The money will be used by GRAM, which is situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to help with the first fill and finish production of smallpox and monkeypox vaccinations in the US.
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a department of HHS, will assist the business to speed up the qualification and production of fill and finish manufacturing in its recently enlarged facility.
Meanwhile, GRAM and Bavarian Nordic, a fully integrated vaccines manufacturer, have signed a contract for the fill and finish of Jynneos.
GRAM will help the filling of bulk vaccines that have already been produced, greatly increasing Bavarian Nordic’s manufacturing capacity.
BARDA is then expected to purchase of 2.5 million doses of the vaccine from GRAM and which will be billed in accordance with prior agreements.
By enhancing GRAM’s capacity to complete a sizable number of BARDA orders, Bavarian Nordic will be able to expedite the supply of vials to the US while also freeing up capacity for other countries.
We continue to build on our efforts to secure and make safe and effective vaccines readily available
In order to increase the filling capacity at its own production site in Denmark, the business has already taken a number of steps.
The business’ bulk manufacturing is fully operational again after a planned shutdown, allowing for the creation of new bulk vaccines.
The organization is simultaneously investigating new partnerships to increase manufacturing in order to expand immunization accessibility globally.
The company claims that BARDA has asked for 5.5 million doses to be delivered in 2022 and 2023.
HHS secretary Xavier Becerra said: “We continue to build on our efforts to secure and make safe and effective vaccines readily available.”
“This new agreement solidifies a domestic manufacturing capability that will bring us more vaccines sooner to end this outbreak.”
Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE
