Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a $4 million investment to expand vaccine manufacturing capacities in Ontario to create respiratory mRNA vaccines.
In March 2021, Novocol said it received up to $32.7 million from the federal government for “fill-finish of sterile injectables including vaccines.”
The Canadian government also signed a long-term, 10-year deal with Moderna “to enhance pandemic preparedness,” Cambridge Liberal MP Brian May told the news conference.
The agreement will provide onshore respiratory mRNA vaccine manufacturing capability in Canada.
Moderna is making a multi-million dollar investment to partner with Novocol Pharma, which will add manufacturing capabilities to Novocol’s Cambridge facility.
The Ontario government said the deal will “create highly skilled jobs for workers,” and “help the province become more self-sufficient in case of future health emergencies.”
Patricia Gauthier, president and general manager of Moderna Canada, said the new agreement is an “important milestone” and will position Moderna to “be able to deliver domestic end-to-end mRNA vaccine production... for future pandemic and health emergencies.”
Gauthier said the company has more than 40 employees in Canada, of which 30 are based in Ontario.
Ford said Moderna’s investment “is a huge vote of confidence in our province, our workers, and our growing life sciences sector.”
