Dehenna Davison MP welcomes news that GSK in Barnard Castle has reached an agreement to manufacture up to 60 million doses of Novavax’s Coronavirus Vaccine.
Yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister announced the deal with the pharmaceutical company saying the deal between GSK, Novavax and the vaccines taskforce would “further boost our vaccine rollout”.
GSK will provide ‘fill and finish’ manufacturing capacity at its Barnard Castle, beginning as early as May 2021, with a rapid technology transfer between the two companies beginning immediately. The parties will negotiate a final agreement to include additional terms and conditions.
The UK Government has secured 60 million doses of the vaccine under an advance purchase agreement with Novavax. The protein antigen component of NVX-CoV2373 is also produced in the North East of England by Novavax’s manufacturing partner, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, at their site in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees.
Commenting on the news, Dehenna Davison MP said:
“It is absolutely fantastic to hear that the local employer, GSK, will support the manufacturing of up to 60 million doses of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine in Barnard Castle.
“This is another crucial step in the fight against Coronavirus, and it is great to see our own community playing a vital part in the national effort.”
During the Downing Street briefing, the Prime Minister told the press the Government remain ‘on track to offer a first jab to all over-50s by April 15’, encouraging all who are called to take the vaccine.
Roger Connor, President, GSK vaccines, said:
“GSK is delighted to support Novavax and the UK Vaccines Taskforce with this manufacturing arrangement for the UK and our Barnard Castle facility is now undertaking the rapid preparation work required to manufacture up to 60m doses of this vaccine. We have ensured that we can deliver these volumes without impacting supply of our other vital medicines and vaccines, and without disruption to the other COVID-19 collaborations GSK is engaged in globally.”
“This partnership with GSK continues the expansion of our global supply network, which we expect to increase overall production capacity and, if approved by regulatory agencies, support access to a potentially important new vaccine against COVID-19,” said Rick Crowley, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Novavax. “We thank the UK government’s Vaccine Taskforce for its instrumental role in ensuring the progress of our COVID-19 vaccine, from both a clinical and now manufacturing perspective, as well as GSK for making their facilities available to help fight the pandemic.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I’m delighted by GSK’s investment, which shows the strength of UK manufacturing, and will further boost our vaccine rollout. The Vaccines Taskforce has worked hand in glove with business to successfully deliver vaccines to the whole of the UK, and this agreement will continue to support our approach. We remain on track to offer a first jab to all over 50s by 15 April, and all adults by the end of July, and I want to once again encourage everyone to come forward for a vaccine when you’re called.”