(Photo: (c) Stimmungsbilder1 | Dreamstime.com)

By The Canadian Press

Moderna announces vaccine production facility to be built in the Montreal area

Apr 29, 2022 | 9:10 AM

MONTREAL, QC – American vaccine maker Moderna has officially announced it will build a facility in the Montreal area to produce mRNA vaccines.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel, and Quebec Premier Francois Legault gathered Friday, April 29, at McGill University’s downtown campus to make the announcement.

Moderna’s new facility will be the company’s first in Canada and will produce mRNA vaccines not only against COVID-19 but also ones that target various respiratory viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

Trudeau says the factory will be able to make up to 100 million doses of mRNA vaccines a year, adding that the project will create hundreds of jobs in the region and develop top scientific talent.

Legault says Moderna’s project will better prepare Quebec for future pandemics by reinforcing domestic supply chains and vaccine independence.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The Canadian agreement includes both production and vaccine research components, with the facility to be completed by 2024.

Canada’s biomanufacturing industry has declined, but what remains is centred in Quebec and the Greater Toronto Area. Both were in the running for the Moderna plant.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2022

(The Canadian Press)