Bielefeld/Germany
Biotechnology company from East Westphalia moves into the spotlight by expanding its capacity to participate in vaccine production.
Press Release.
PlasmidFactory GmbH (Bielefeld), based in Bielefeld since 2000, has been working closely with leading global mRNA manufacturers for many years and produces plasmid DNA as an essential starting material for their vaccine production, which has proven to be extremely effective in the corresponding (pre-)clinical studies.
On 22 January, Minister Prof. Pinkwart from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIDE) accepted the invitation to get to know the company - unfortunately only virtually due to coronavirus - to take a virtual tour to the production facilities and take a look at the expansion areas which will be used for new production capacities for the manufacture of plasmid DNA, as a key substrate for the production of mRNA vaccines - e.g. Covid19 vaccines.
Due to the limited global availability of the key substance DNA for the pharmaceutical production of vaccines, there is an extraordinary and long-lasting need.
Long-term global demand
Since 2000, the PlasmidFactory has specialised in producing DNA of exceptionally high purity for research in the field of gene therapy and genetic vaccines and works with universities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide both scientifically and as a supplier. The entire production as well as the research and development department is bundled at the Bielefeld site. There is very close co-operation with Bielefeld University, which ensures the availability of highly motivated young employees as well as an involvement in current research topics and technologies.
Due to the worldwide limited availability of auxiliary and starting materials and especially the key substance DNA for the pharmaceutical production of the vaccine, there is an extraordinary and long-lasting demand for it, which could therefore be met within North Rhine-Westphalia (as well as Germany and the European Community). The PlasmidFactory can provide an independent supply of the currently most important raw material for mRNA production or ensure its availability.