A Milestone for Canadian mRNA Manufacturing
Our Canadian manufacturing site, a 100,000-square-foot drug substance manufacturing facility located just outside Montreal in Laval, recently reached a major milestone—receiving a Drug Establishment License (DEL) from Health Canada. This certification allows us to manufacture drug substances on Canadian soil and positions Laval as the first Moderna site outside of the United States to achieve this authorization. The Laval facility will have the capacity to manufacture up to 30 million doses of respiratory vaccines (subject to regulatory approval by Health Canada) annually, with the ability to increase to 100 million doses in pandemic times. Ontario-based Novocol Pharma will then carry out the final step of transferring the vaccine drug substance into pre-filled syringes and/or vials and packaging for distribution.
The DEL represents a significant step toward establishing end-to-end mRNA production in Canada and bringing Canadian-made vaccines to market, reinforcing the country’s capacity to respond rapidly to future public health threats.
Laval: A Pillar of Moderna’s Global Health Strategy
Our Canadian facility is part of Moderna’s broader strategy to create a globally distributed network of mRNA manufacturing sites. Like our other sites being built in the U.K. and Australia, the Canadian facility will not only supply mRNA vaccines during periods of high demand, but also contribute to endemic health preparedness and local job creation. In addition, we are supporting a new field of expertise by actively engaging with the local innovation ecosystem, including partnerships and internships to drive cutting-edge research and talent development. This decentralized production model ensures vaccines can be produced and distributed quickly, minimizing the risk of supply chain disruptions during global emergencies.
A Commitment to Innovation and Public Health
The DEL certification brings us closer to enhancing the country’s ability to manage health crises swiftly and effectively, directly impacting the lives of Canadians. Beyond manufacturing, we are investing in collaborations with Canadian partners on research and development projects that will advance our mRNA technology platform. These partnerships foster innovation, helping to solidify Canada’s role as a leader in mRNA research and production. The establishment of the Laval facility reflects our long-term vision: to ensure that no country is left without access to lifesaving vaccines when they are needed most.