BRIEF—BioNTech to buy Singapore mRNA facility

Via its local subsidiary, Germany’s BioNTech has agreed to acquire Novartis’ (NOVN: VX)  GMP-certified manufacturing facilities in Singapore.

Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The acquisition is part of BioNTech’s expansion strategy to strengthen its global footprint in Asia. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the facility will serve as BioNTech’s regional headquarters and become its first mRNA manufacturing facility in Singapore.

“We are excited to be moving a step closer to expanding our global manufacturing network to Singapore, supporting production of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics for the Asia Pacific region. The acquisition gives us the opportunity to accelerate the establishment of a state-of-the-art mRNA manufacturing facility and thus to create capacity more quickly for potential clinical studies and commercial supply of our mRNA vaccines and therapeutics for the region,” said BioNTech’s chief operating officer Dr Sierk Poetting.