Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies Hosts UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for COVID-19 Vaccine Tour

Strategic Insights -

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biologics, viral vaccines, and viral vectors, welcomed UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to its Billingham site in Teesside. The Prime Minister toured the facilities where the antigen component of Novavax' NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine is being manufactured, alongside other life-impacting therapies.

Key Takeaways:

  • FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is contracted by Novavax to produce antigen for up to 180 million vaccine doses.
  • The company has a workforce of 850-strong at its Billingham site, with some 20 employees participating in the tour to explain the science and technology behind Fujifilm's work to the Prime Minister.
  • The Prime Minister was impressed with the team's contribution to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, describing it as "some of the very best of British science and manufacturing."
  • Novavax initiated Phase 3 clinical trial in the UK in September 2020, with results showing 89.3% vaccine efficacy in preventing coronavirus in participants.
  • The vaccine was also demonstrated to be effective against the new UK variant.
  • FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is manufacturing the antigen component of the Novavax vaccine candidate at its North Carolina and Texas sites in the US in addition to its UK site.

Statistics:

  • 180 million: The number of vaccine doses for which FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is contracted to produce antigen for Novavax.
  • 850: The number of employees at the FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Billingham site.
  • 20: The number of employees who participated in the tour to explain the science and technology behind Fujifilm's work to the Prime Minister.
  • 89.3%: The level of vaccine efficacy in preventing coronavirus in participants demonstrated by Novavax' NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine.
  • 2020: The year in which Novavax initiated Phase 3 clinical trial in the UK.
  • 13 February 2021: The date on which the Prime Minister visited FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies.

Sources:

  • FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies press release on February 13, 2021.