The top priority of the Government of Canada is to protect the health and safety of all Canadians. Since the start of the pandemic, we have worked hard to secure life-saving personal protective equipment, invest in our health care system, and ensure that everyone can be vaccinated. As we recover from the pandemic, we will continue to strengthen Canada’s ability to develop and produce vaccines made in Canada so that we can keep Canadians healthy now and in the future while creating good jobs.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced today that COVID-19 vaccine developer Moderna will build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Quebec to distribute vaccines made in Canada. Upon completion, this new facility will be able to produce 100 million mRNA vaccine doses annually. It will also create hundreds of good jobs.
Construction is set to begin this year and, subject to planning and regulatory approvals, the facility is expected to be operational in 2024 at the earliest. In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, the facility is expected to be able to produce vaccines for other respiratory diseases, such as influenza – pending their ongoing development by Moderna and approval by Health Canada.
Strengthening our biomanufacturing and life sciences sectors across the country will help reestablish Canada’s domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, bring Canada’s innovation to the front lines of tomorrow’s health solutions, and ensure that we are the future. Better prepared for health crises – all while growing the economy and creating decent jobs.
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“COVID-19 vaccines saved lives and brought Canadians back to do the things they love.
Today’s announcement means Canadian workers and Canadian innovation will play a vital role in keeping our communities safe now and in the future. It also means hundreds of new, well-paying jobs as we overcome this pandemic and build a better future for all.”
“Today’s announcement is another example of our promise to the Canadian people to have a pat on their back through this pandemic and beyond. From the outset, we took short-term strategic actions with a long-term vision to ensure that Canada is well prepared for future pandemics, to strengthen our economy and create good jobs for Canadians. Moderna’s setting up of its operations here in Canada is a testament to the vision and attractiveness of Canada as a place to invest and innovate.
“One of our government’s top priorities is to protect the health and safety of people in Canada. Moderna’s new facility will strengthen home health security and pandemic preparedness through timely access to innovative, state-of-the-art vaccines that help us save lives.” Moderna’s presence will establish Canada as a global leader in mRNA technology, leading a new era of home health innovation.
“Our government continues to work in partnership with leading vaccine developers to build in-house bio-manufacturing capability for safe and effective mRNA vaccines. We are working to ensure that Canada will have good access to vaccines in the future. Stay tuned and we continue to protect the health and safety of everyone in Canada.”
“We are delighted to partner with the Government of Canada to reach this milestone and bring a state-of-the-art mRNA facility to the Canadian people. The Government has shown true leadership in the fight against COVID-19. We are looking forward to future pandemics and health emergencies.” We share a common vision for the fundamental need of pandemic preparedness in the event of a pandemic.”
quick Facts
- Moderna is a leading biotechnology company specializing in mRNA therapeutics and vaccines. More than 29 million doses of the Spikevax vaccine have been distributed across Canada since the start of the pandemic.
- In August 2021, the Canadian government announced a memorandum of understanding with Moderna to build a state-of-the-art mRNA vaccine production facility in Canada. Construction is set to begin this year, and subject to planning and regulatory approval, the facility is expected to be operational in 2024 at the earliest.
- A definitive agreement is being finalized based on the 2021 Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and Moderna.
- Moderna is committed to partnering with Canada’s leading research universities and institutions to advance research and development right here at home.
- Today’s announcement marks a major milestone in the Canadian government’s biomanufacturing and life sciences strategy. Launched in July 2021, the strategy presents a long-term approach to protecting Canadians from future pandemics and other health emergencies.
- Since the start of the pandemic, the government has invested $30 in projects in the biomanufacture, vaccine and therapeutics sectors to support the domestic development and production of safe and effective vaccines and therapies to respond to COVID-19, future pandemics. 1.6 billion has been committed. , and other health preferences.
- Through the Strategic Innovation Fund, the government has supported projects from coast to coast. This includes up to $415 million to support Sanofi in building an end-to-end influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in Toronto, Ontario; up to $175.6 million for Abcelera for its antibody therapy research and construction of an antibody production facility in British Columbia; $39.8 million for BioVectra to build a state-of-the-art facility in Prince Edward Island and reconfigure its facilities in Nova Scotia.
- The government has invested $126 million to build a new biologics manufacturing center at the National Research Council of Canada’s Royalmount site in Montreal. This new center will be capable of large-volume, end-to-end production of vaccines based on the vaccine candidate – about 24 million doses annually.
- In addition, Budget 2021 provided a total of $2.2 billion over seven years towards developing a vibrant domestic life sciences sector and achieving pandemic preparedness. The funding will help build Canada’s talent pipeline and research systems, as well as fuel the growth of Canadian life science firms.
