Moderna CEO eyes producing COVID vaccine in Asia

Bancel reveals the company is in talks with possible Japanese partners

For vaccine production in Japan, there is a possibility that Moderna will seek consignment contracts or license agreements with Japanese companies. © Reuters

YUKO NOMURA, Nikkei staff writer

May 21, 2021 13:41 JST

NEW YORK -- Moderna is considering manufacturing its coronavirus vaccine in Japan, with chief executive Stephane Bancel telling Nikkei in a phone interview, "We're having discussions in several countries in Asia, including Japan."

The news comes soon after the Japanese health ministry officially approved the manufacture and sale of the vaccines developed by Moderna and AstraZeneca on Friday.