Mainz (dpa) – The Mainz vaccine manufacturer Biontech says it would help more money from Germany and the EU to expand the production capacities of the corona vaccine.
“In the past year, more money would not have helped us because we first had to set up the production process on a large scale,” said Biontech CFO Sierk Poetting to “Spiegel” when asked. “But now money would help. Especially if we are to anticipate a capacity of three billion cans for next year, as was already requested this week. “
A government spokesman told the German Press Agency: “We are already talking to Biontech about financial security. We will do everything necessary to support you. ” Finance Minister Olaf Scholz had also confirmed to the editorial network Germany (Saturday): “In any case, the faster procurement of vaccines will not fail because of the money.”
Poetting assumes that the need for vaccines will continue to grow. “There are underserved countries, a third dose of vaccine against mutated variants of the virus could be necessary, or completely new mutations could develop. That’s why we’re working on expanding further locations and adding new partners to our network, ”he said.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had campaigned for the provision of further EU funds in view of the delivery bottlenecks for corona vaccines. Additional investments in the expansion or rededication of production facilities were cited as an example. Poetting told the magazine: “The proposal would have to be examined. Ideally, it could mean that capacities could be increased in the medium term. “
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210206-99-327477 / 2
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