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Novartis extends deal to make Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines – Metro US

Novartis extends deal to make Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines

FILE PHOTO: Logo is seen at factory of Novartis in
FILE PHOTO: Logo is seen at factory of Novartis in Stein, Switzerland

ZURICH (Reuters) – Novartis has agreed to expand its fill-and-finish support for the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by using manufacturing facilities Ljubljana, Slovenia, to fill at least 24 million doses in 2022, the Swiss drugmaker said on Thursday.

Novartis plans to take bulk mRNA active ingredient from BioNTech and fill this into vials under sterile conditions for shipment back to BioNTech for distribution.

This new agreement follows an earlier deal for the fill and finish of more than 50 million doses in 2021 at the Novartis Stein site in Switzerland.

(Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Riham Alkousaa)