May 21, 2020Management

AGC to Manufacture COVID-19 DNA Vaccine Intermediate for Takara Bio

Tokyo, May 21, 2020–AGC (Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Takuya Shimamura) has announced that AGC Biologics (Headquarters: US), a CDMO*1 subsidiary of the company, has been contracted by Takara Bio (Takara Bio Inc.; Headquarters: Shiga, Japan; President: Koichi Nakao) to manufacture a COVID-19 DNA vaccine intermediate. This vaccine is being developed with the aim of beginning clinical trials around the summer of 2020.

DNA vaccines, a circular DNA (plasmid DNA) that encodes the protein of the target pathogen, are said to be safely manufactured in a short period of time without using any dangerous pathogens. Once administered, the pathogenic protein is expressed in the body, leading to stimulate immune responses. It shows no pathogenicity, suggesting a safe modality to prevent infection and different approach from attenuated vaccines.
This vaccine was developed by Osaka University and AnGes Inc., utilizing their findings from developing DNA plasmid products, and Takara Bio will be responsible for its production.
AGC Biologics has manufacturing bases in Japan, the US, and Europe, from which it provides a wide variety of high value-added services that range from process development to upscaling, clinical trials, and commercial drug manufacturing. The company was selected as a manufacturing partner in recognition of its decades-long successful track record as a CDMO as well as the company’s high-level quality and service.

The AGC Group is committed to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic by playing a role in the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs for pharmaceutical companies.

Notes: *1 CDMO: Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization. A company which is contracted or acts on behalf of another company to handle product manufacturing as well as the development manufacturing methods.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Kazumi Tamaki, General Manager, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Division
AGC Inc.
Contact: Yuki Kitano
TEL: +81-3-3218-5603
E-mail: info-pr@agc.com