Novartis will further support production of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine through fill-finish capabilities at its Slovenia site.

Dan Stanton, Managing editor

October 21, 2021

1 Min Read
Novartis to make 24m doses of Pfizer vaccine from Slovenian plant
Image: Stock Photo Secrets

Novartis will further support production of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine through fill-finish capabilities at its Ljubljana, Slovenia site.

Earlier this year, Swiss pharma giant Novartis signed an agreement to provide aseptic manufacturing services from its Stein, Switzerland, to support the production of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The arrangement was described at the time as part of the “unprecedented level of collaboration” occurring across the industry, and nine months on such collaboration continues, with Novartis signing a new agreement to fill at least 24 million doses in 2022 from its Ljubljana plant.

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Image: Stock Photo Secrets

“Under the terms of the new initial agreement, Novartis plans to take bulk mRNA active ingredient from BioNTech and fill this into vials under sterile conditions for shipment back to BioNTech for its distribution,” the firm said.

“Subject to reaching a final agreement, Novartis plans to transfer the manufacturing process from Stein to Ljubljana site to commence the fill and finish in the first half of 2022.”

Unlike some of its Big Pharma peers, Novartis has not invested in its own vaccine program for COVID-19, but rather has chosen to support others.

The firm also partnered with CureVac for its COVID vaccine from its site in Kundl, Austria. However, earlier this month CureVac abandoned its mRNA COVID-19 candidate CVnCoV in favor for a second generation in collaboration with GSK.

About the Author(s)

Dan Stanton

Managing editor

Journalist covering the international biopharmaceutical manufacturing and processing industries.


Founder and editor of Bioprocess Insider, a daily news offshoot of publication Bioprocess International, with expertise in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, in particular, the following niches: CROs, CDMOs, M&A, IPOs, biotech, bioprocessing methods and equipment, drug delivery, regulatory affairs and business development.


From London, UK originally but currently based in Montpellier, France through a round-a-bout adventure that has seen me live and work in Leeds (UK), London, New Zealand, and China.

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