{"id":60962,"title":"Moderna leverages pandemic manufacturing lessons for next generation mRNA pipeline","publisher":"Stockmark.IT","author":"Stockmark.IT Website","published":"2026-10-08T04:49:48+00:00","modified":"2026-10-08T04:49:48+00:00","canonical_url":"https://stockmark.it/cphi-2026-moderna-builds-on-its-covid-era-manufacturing-lessons/","markdown_url":"https://stockmark.it/cphi-2026-moderna-builds-on-its-covid-era-manufacturing-lessons.md","json_url":"https://stockmark.it/cphi-2026-moderna-builds-on-its-covid-era-manufacturing-lessons.json","category":"Business","categories":["Business","Companies","Manufacturing"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/moderna-leverages-pandemic-manufacturing-lessons-for-next.png?fit=1536%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"Moderna Therapeutics is applying lessons learned from its rapid expansion during the pandemic to support the development of its next generation of messenger RNA therapeutics. Michelle Rodriguez, the company’s vice president of drug product operations, outlined this strategy during a presentation at CPHI Milan 2026. The event, held at Fiera Milano from 6 to 8 October, focused on building manufacturing capabilities for advanced medicines. Rodriguez emphasised that the firm’s experience in managing rapid evolution remains relevant as it transitions from its initial viral vaccines to a broader portfolio of treatments.\n\nThe Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company achieved significant commercial success with its Spikevax vaccine, which was first approved in 2021. The product generated sales of $17.7bn in 2021 and $18.4bn in 2022. However, revenue declined as the pandemic subsided, with total company revenue falling 40 per cent year-on-year to $1.9bn in 2025. Despite this reduction, the company’s respiratory vaccines continue to represent a substantial portion of its income. Rodriguez noted that while public attention on the original pandemic has shifted, the underlying need for mRNA technology persists and is expanding into new therapeutic areas.\n\nModerna’s current pipeline includes the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine mRESVIA, which received approval in the United States and Europe in 2024. The company also secured US and European approvals in 2026 for its influenza vaccine, Mflusiva. In the oncology sector, Moderna is developing intismeran autogene in partnership with Merck & Co. This treatment is being investigated for various tumour types, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Although the US government cut federal funding for more than 20 mRNA vaccine projects in 2025, Rodriguez indicated that the regulatory environment is becoming more supportive of the technology.\n\nRodriguez stated that regulators are increasingly viewing mRNA as a platform rather than a series of individual products. This shift has led to greater flexibility and a reduction in application complexity. She observed that authorities are now acknowledging platform manufacturing to streamline processes. This regulatory evolution complements Moderna’s internal manufacturing strategy, which was shaped by the pressures of the pandemic. The company had to rapidly adapt its operations, leading to a significant increase in the use of contract manufacturing. This approach continues today, with the firm carefully deciding which elements to retain in-house and which to outsource to contract development and manufacturing organisations.\n\nFor the Omicron XBB.1.5 version of its vaccine, Moderna partnered with several entities for different stages of production. These partners include Novo, Astrea Pharma, Rovi Pharma Industrial Services, and MCS Laboratories, providing services across active pharmaceutical ingredients, dosage, and packaging. Despite the rise in outsourced capabilities, the company maintains that drug substance manufacturing remains fully internal. Rodriguez explained that this decision is driven by the need to protect supply security while still collaborating with external partners for drug product and specific drug substance needs in regions where internal manufacturing is not practical.\n\nThe company has also expanded its international network of advanced manufacturing centres. Last year, it added a facility in the United Kingdom to its existing locations in Canada and Australia. Rodriguez concluded that both the medicines and the strategic approaches to their production have evolved considerably since the pandemic era."}