WhyModernaisexpandingtoCanada
One of the company’s first facilities outside its native U.S. will be in Laval, Quebec. Why did it choose Canada?
Founded in 2010, Moderna was relatively unknown before it burst onto the world stage with its Covid-19 vaccine, instantly becoming a household name. In just two years, over 240 million doses have been delivered in the United States alone, with hundreds of millions more in 113 countries.
Having played a major role in combating the worst global public-health crisis in a century, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company is looking to build on its success, applying its mRNA technology to everything from influenza to rare diseases - and even cancer.
As part of its ambitious strategy, Moderna is expanding outside of its native U.S., including a new manufacturing facility just north of Montreal, in Laval, Quebec. For a biotechnology company with the world at its feet, why choose Canada to base its first local operation?
Founded in 2010, Moderna was relatively unknown before it burst onto the world stage with its Covid-19 vaccine, instantly becoming a household name. In just two years, over 240 million doses have been delivered in the United States alone, with hundreds of millions more in 113 countries.
Having played a major role in combating the worst global public-health crisis in a century, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company is looking to build on its success, applying its mRNA technology to everything from influenza to rare diseases - and even cancer.
As part of its ambitious strategy, Moderna is expanding outside of its native U.S., including a new manufacturing facility just north of Montreal, in Laval, Quebec. For a biotechnology company with the world at its feet, why choose Canada to base its first local operation?
Building
on trust
Canada was one of the first countries to believe in our technology ”
Patricia Gauthier
General Manager
of Moderna Canada
The facility’s primary purpose is ensuring Canadians have access to vaccines. It forms part of a ten-year government strategy to better prepare the country for future pandemics. Moderna is planning similar facilities elsewhere as other countries also look to localize vaccine production.
But there’s a reason that Moderna chose Canada, and it’s not just proximity to its north-eastern headquarters. “Canada was one of the first countries to believe in our technology,” says Patricia Gauthier, President and General Manager of Moderna Canada.
Gauthier says that trust is an important factor in making Canada a strategic priority, explaining that the ten-year partnership agreement was ‘co-created’ with the government, in a more-than-usually collaborative process. That agreement now forms the template for Moderna’s other global affiliates.
Moderna plans to use this solid foundation as a launchpad for expanding mRNA research in Canada. It already has R&D collaboration agreements with the University of Toronto and McGill University. And it is running seven clinical trials in Canada, with plans for many more once established in the country.
Building
on trust
The facility’s primary purpose is ensuring Canadians have access to vaccines. It forms part of a ten-year government strategy to better prepare the country for future pandemics. Moderna is planning similar facilities elsewhere as other countries also look to localize vaccine production.
But there’s a reason that Moderna chose Canada, and it’s not just proximity to its north-eastern headquarters. “Canada was one of the first countries to believe in our technology,” says Patricia Gauthier, President and General Manager of Moderna Canada.
Gauthier says that trust is an important factor in making Canada a strategic priority, explaining that the ten-year partnership agreement was ‘co-created’ with the government, in a more-than-usually collaborative process. That agreement now forms the template for Moderna’s other global affiliates.
Canada was one of the first countries to believe in our technology ”
Patricia Gauthier
General Manager
of Moderna Canada
Moderna plans to use this solid foundation as a launchpad for expanding mRNA research in Canada. It already has R&D collaboration agreements with the University of Toronto and McGill University. And it is running seven clinical trials in Canada, with plans for many more once established in the country.
Flourishing life sciences ecosystem
When Moderna’s plant opens, the company will become part of Canada’s already flourishing life sciences ecosystem. The country hosts a multi-billion dollar medical device manufacturing sector. It leads the G7 in clinical trials per capita. And it places 4th in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index for scientific publications.
Building a facility in the region was an “opportunity to embed ourselves in that ecosystem ”
Patricia Gauthier
General Manager
of Moderna Canada
It’s a sector with active support from all levels of government. Gauthier cites long-term strategies by the Government of Canada and provinces, particularly in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. The federal government recently invested CAD $1.8 billion in 32 life science projects.
In Quebec, Gauthier says, there is a coherence to the ecosystem that is reflected by the Quebec life sciences strategy, as well as the investments and support provided by stakeholders - government included - to the life sciences sector. “Everybody plays their part,” she explains, adding that building a facility in the region was an “opportunity to embed ourselves in that ecosystem.”
Becoming part of that ecosystem offers Moderna a wealth of life sciences resources. One of the primary attractions is access to talent.
It’s a sector with active support from all levels of government. Gauthier cites long-term strategies by the Government of Canada and provinces, particularly in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. The federal government recently invested CAD $1.8 billion in 32 life science projects.
Building a facility in the region was an “opportunity to embed ourselves in that ecosystem ”
Patricia Gauthier
General Manager
of Moderna Canada
In Quebec, Gauthier says, there is a coherence to the ecosystem that is reflected by the Quebec life sciences strategy, as well as the investments and support provided by stakeholders - government included - to the life sciences sector. “Everybody plays their part,” she explains, adding that building a facility in the region was an “opportunity to embed ourselves in that ecosystem.”
Becoming part of that ecosystem offers Moderna a wealth of life sciences resources. One of the primary attractions is access to talent.
World-class
talent
Canada has the most educated workforce in the world. 62% of 25-64-year-olds are post-secondary graduates. Crucially for a life sciences company like Moderna, over 2.8 million graduates are in STEM fields. It’s a pool that’s constantly growing: Over 133,000 students graduated in a STEM subject in 2019 alone.
And Canada’s institutions are open to working with private companies. “Since announcing our facility in Quebec, I’ve had organizations say, ‘we need to sit down and see what capabilities you need, so they’re ready when you open,’” says Gauthier.
That attitude is crucial for a cutting-edge company like Moderna. “mRNA is a new technology. It’s on us to build the workforce of the future,” she continues. There is already a university partnership to place students at Moderna for internships and co-ops, to build an mRNA research pool.
Establishing this talent pipeline offers much-needed stability for a growing company. And it’s not the only certainty that Canada provides.
World-class
talent
Canada has the most educated workforce in the world. 62% of 25-64-year-olds are post-secondary graduates. Crucially for a life sciences company like Moderna, over 2.8 million graduates are in STEM fields. It’s a pool that’s constantly growing: Over 133,000 students graduated in a STEM subject in 2019 alone.
And Canada’s institutions are open to working with private companies. “Since announcing our facility in Quebec, I’ve had organizations say, ‘we need to sit down and see what capabilities you need, so they’re ready when you open,’” says Gauthier.
That attitude is crucial for a cutting-edge company like Moderna. “mRNA is a new technology. It’s on us to build the workforce of the future,” she continues. There is already a university partnership to place students at Moderna for internships and co-ops, to build an mRNA research pool.
Establishing this talent pipeline offers much-needed stability for a growing company. And it’s not the only certainty that Canada provides.
Sustainable, predictable growth
Policy stability is just as crucial. For example, Moderna has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Canada has one of the greenest energy grids in the world, and a government committed to sustainability.
Gauthier says they trust that won’t change, “We invest in countries because of the stability of their policies. That openness to business is there in Canada.”
