CureVac N.V. and Rentschler Biopharma SE, a global CDMO for biopharmaceuticals, initiated the set-up of manufacturing capabilities for CureVac′s COVID-19 vaccine, CVnCoV.

Rentschler Biopharma is preparing for largescale cGMP production of the formulated mRNA for CVnCoV. CureVac began the clinical Phase 2b/3 trial with its mRNA-based vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2, and is preparing the start of commercial production to meet global demands.

Rentschler Biopharma contributes to the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredient, downstream processing and formulation of drug substance for the vaccine.

The companies entered a collaboration in November 2020 with the set-up of dedicated production lines at Rentschler’s site in Laupheim, Germany. Optimization of the production process is now taking place to increase mRNA yield. It is expected to produce more than 100 million doses of the CureVac vaccine per year in Laupheim.

Dr. Frank Mathias, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma, said, “Rentschler Biopharma has extensive experience in working with the most complex biopharmaceuticals and our expert team is dedicated to meeting CureVac’s high expectations in producing their mRNA vaccine against COVID-19. We are preparing now to be ready to manufacture commercial supply, and are already setting up the production suite. We are currently looking to hire up to 80 highly qualified new team members, such as lab technicians and bioprocess engineers, to contribute to this important project and help us satisfy the increasing demand for life-saving biopharmaceuticals in the long-term.”