China's First mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Production Facility Breaks Ground with Annual Capacity of 120 Million Doses

China’s First mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Production Plant Breaks Ground; Phase I to Have Annual Capacity of 120 Million Doses

Yuxi, Yunnan, December 21 (CNS) – The groundbreaking ceremony for China’s first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine production facility was held on the 21st at the Vaccine Industrial Park in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province. The industrialization project for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has an investment of 280 million yuan, with a Phase I annual production capacity of 120 million doses. It is expected to be completed and become operational within eight months after construction begins.

The novel coronavirus mRNA vaccine (ARcoVax) was jointly developed by the Academy of Military Sciences’ Institute of Military Medicine of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Abogen Biosciences (Suzhou), and Walvax Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Walvax”), with Walvax responsible for the industrialization and implementation of the vaccine. The vaccine received approval for clinical trials from the National Medical Products Administration of China on June 19, 2020, and is currently in the clinical trial phase, demonstrating favorable safety and immunogenicity in Phase I clinical trials. With the advancement of subsequent clinical trials, once approved, this vaccine product will achieve a “zero” breakthrough for mRNA vaccines based on China’s innovative technological pathway. The vaccine possesses independent intellectual property rights, and its core raw materials and key equipment have been localized in China.

mRNA vaccines are an emerging type of vaccine developed in recent years. Their fundamental principle involves using specific delivery systems to introduce mRNA encoding target antigens into the body, where it is expressed as protein and stimulates the host to generate a specific immune response, thereby conferring immune protection.

According to Li Yunchun, Chairman of Walvax Biotechnology, mRNA vaccines present significant technical barriers, with only a handful of companies in the United States and Germany currently mastering this core technology. mRNA vaccine products have demonstrated the highest efficacy rate (95%) among all COVID-19 vaccines with publicly announced Phase III clinical trial results globally, and their technological platform is widely recognized within the industry as the most advanced. He stated that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine production facility under construction in Yuxi will be completed and commence operations in eight months, with product launch and supply expected in the second half of 2021. (End)