According to the pharmaceutical company, the local presence of a subsidiary supports the supply of mRNA vaccines and medical treatments in the Netherlands. One of the four pillars is the development of an overarching (booster) vaccine that can be adjusted annually, which ‘covers’ three viruses: the flu; Covid-19 and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The rs virus is one of the main causes of the common cold; it can cause serious complications in young children and frail elderly.
Currently, Moderna is engaged in 40 research programs, 25 of which are in the clinical phase. This means that medicines or vaccines are already being tested on humans. The pharmaceutical company mainly focuses on mRNA drugs for the possible prevention and treatment of diseases in the field of infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, (ultra) rare diseases and autoimmune diseases.
latent viruses
Vaccines against latent viruses in the body are also being worked on. Latent viruses infect the body, do not lie dormant and do not replicate, but they do have the capacity to become active and thus cause disease. For example, consider the Epstein-Barr virus; this is the causative agent of the well-known mononucleosis. Nearly 90% of the population is carrier of the Epstein-Barr virus; after an infection it remains latent and in exceptional cases develops into a chronically active infection. Especially people with a poor immune system can suffer from it.
“Presence supports delivery of the vaccines”
Moderna has previously expressed expansion ambitions. In our country, for example, investment has been announced in the production of medicinal substances by Lonza in Geleen. Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of Moderna: “This new subsidiary is a testament to Moderna’s continued confidence in the great potential of the Dutch pharmaceutical industry.”
The pharmacist cannot answer questions about conversations and location. “Moderna will seek and announce a location in due course.”