American pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Moderna Inc. (MRNA: NASDAQ) is considering producing the COVID-19 vaccine in Asia.

Stéphane Bancel, CEO of the company, revealed in a phone interview with Nikkei that Moderna is considering producing the COVID-19 vaccine in several Asian countries, including Japan. The news comes after Japan reportedly approved the Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

Bancel noted that, for production in Japan, Moderna would seek to enter into manufacturing contracts or licensing agreements with Japanese companies. The company is in talks with several Japanese entities, and related negotiations are still in the early stages.

Moderna said there is still no definitive efficacy data due to the small sample size in clinical trials of the Moderna vaccine. But, the trials in Japan have shown sufficient efficacy, with all trial participants making a very high developed neutralizing antibody, much like the results of the U.S. trials.

It is understood that Japan has begun importing the COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna's manufacturing site in Europe. The vaccine is expected to be used at large-scale inoculation sites in Tokyo and Osaka, scheduled to begin next week. In addition, the vaccine will also be used at other large vaccination sites.

The Japanese government has signed a purchase contract with Moderna and expects to receive 50 million doses of the vaccine by September. Bancel said Moderna is in talks with Japan about increasing supplies next year.

Source: https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/COVID-vaccines/Moderna-eyes-producing-COVID-vaccine-in-Asia-CEO-says