CureVac Signs Partnership Agreement with Bayer for COVID-19 Vaccine

by Lee Hyunwoo

Published 07 Jan.2021 14:48(KST)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] German pharmaceutical company CureVac, which is developing a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, has reportedly signed a partnership agreement with global major pharmaceutical company Bayer for the COVID-19 vaccine. Bayer is expected to support CureVac in accessing the international pharmaceutical market and global distribution networks.

According to local media such as Germany's Bild on the 6th (local time), CureVac and Bayer agreed to a partnership for COVID-19 vaccine development and signed a contract. Bayer is expected to provide multifaceted support including CureVac's vaccine development, obtaining approvals from health authorities in various countries, and access to the international pharmaceutical market and distribution networks.

Founded in 2000 as the world's first mRNA-based vaccine specialized company, CureVac is headquartered in T?bingen, Germany. It was listed on NASDAQ in August last year and is currently conducting Phase 3 clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine. As a startup in the global pharmaceutical industry, CureVac has previously stated that it is seeking a larger pharmaceutical partner to assist with health authority approvals and other matters.

CureVac plans to produce up to 300 million doses of the vaccine this year and up to 600 million doses next year once vaccine development is completed and approvals are obtained. In March last year, CureVac attracted worldwide attention when it was revealed that the Donald Trump administration in the United States had contacted the company to secure an exclusive vaccine contract. At that time, CureVac rejected the Trump administration's proposal.