Evonik Delivers First Lipids to BioNTech from German Plant

Evonik is supporting accelerated production of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by supplying a key component. Evonik is delivering the first batches of lipids urgently needed for the mRNA-based vaccine to BioNTech months ahead of schedule. Experts at Evonik's Hanau facility established lipid production in just eight weeks, meeting the component's stringent quality requirements. Initial deliveries had been planned to begin in mid-year. Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Evonik Board of Management, stated: "Setting up production at this pace is a major achievement. Increased lipid production in Germany will also enable us to further accelerate vaccine production in larger quantities. In this way, we are contributing to the fight against the pandemic." As part of its strategic partnership with BioNTech, Evonik is producing two different lipids for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Together with other lipids, they are encapsulated to form a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) that serves as a protective shell around the mRNA to safely deliver it to cells. There, the mRNA is released to allow the vaccine to take effect. Dr. Thomas Riermeier, Head of Evonik's Healthcare Business, commented: "This is a complex manufacturing process that very few people in the world have mastered. We are once again demonstrating that Evonik is a superior and reliable partner for the pharmaceutical industry, far beyond COVID-19."   Source