Mitsubishi Tanabe to bring plant-derived COVID vaccine to Japan

Doses to be derived from tobacco plants promise low cost and easy storage

Medicago, a Canada-based subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, is developing a technology to make vaccines from a relative of the fast-growing tobacco plant. (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma)

Nikkei staff writers

September 29, 2021 21:02 JST

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma has decided to launch the world's first plant-based vaccine in Japan, Nikkei has learned, potentially paving the way to stable COVID-19 vaccine supplies for a country that so far has approved only overseas-made doses.