Moderna to open new vaccine laboratory in Spain

Moderna plans to invest about 500 million euros in a new laboratory in Spain to increase production of vaccines, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Sanchez wrote on his Twitter page that he met with Moderna Vice President and learned of the company's plans to expand in the country.

Spanish pharmaceutical group Rovi earlier this year agreed to a 10-year extension of its deal with Moderna to produce future drugs developed using mRNA technology used for the coronavirus vaccine.

Rovi said the deal would include new investments to expand capacity at Rovi's plants.

For its part, Moderna said it plans to establish an mRNA-vaccine quality testing laboratory in Madrid, which is expected to be operational in 2023.

Moderna also reported that this year's investment of 500 million euros includes a collaboration with Rovi.