BRIEF—Samsung Biologics breaking news

South Korea’s Samsung Biologics and USA-based Moderna have announced today that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea (MFDS) has issued a marketing authorization for Spikevax, Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) manufactured by Samsung Biologics, allowing distribution globally and reinforcing their commitment to defeating the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Philippines and Colombia authorized emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Samsung Biologics on November 26 and December 2, respectively.

Expanded deal with AstraZeneca

In other news, Samsung has expanded its partnership with UK pharma major AstraZeneca to manufacture AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination and also to start to manufacture a cancer immunotherapy product from next year.

The value of the deal is around $380 million, up from the initial $331 million.

This partnership will continue to expedite the delivery of crucial therapies to the market when it is needed the most.