Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ambitious pledge to establish a made-in-Canada vaccine plant in Montreal, aimed at producing Canadian-made COVID-19 shots, has yet to materialize four years after its announcement.
Despite a significant cash injection of nearly $130 million from the federal government and the completion of construction by mid-2021, the publicly owned Biologics Manufacturing Centre (BMC) has not produced any usable vaccine vials. Although certified by Health Canada for compliance with regulations in July 2022, the facility remains idle.
The delay has raised concerns about the facility’s viability, especially as the global COVID vaccine market contracts and Pfizer and Moderna dominate remaining demand. Experts question whether Novavax, the U.S. firm expected to manufacture its shots at BMC, can thrive in a market where mRNA vaccines hold sway.
Moreover, Novavax’s financial stability is uncertain, with stock fluctuations and failed clinical trials. While a recent investment from French drugmaker Sanofi offers some hope, challenges persist.
Trudeau’s initial comparison of the vaccine project to the Apollo project, aiming for production by summer 2021, has not materialized. Delays in tech transfer and production qualification batches have pushed timelines further.
The federal government, which continues to fund the BMC, faces scrutiny over the investment’s delayed returns. As the facility awaits Novavax’s production, questions linger about its future role in addressing public health emergencies beyond COVID.
