By Canadian Press

Company planning to make COVID-19 vaccine in Canada could go out of business

Mar 1, 2023 | 2:27 PM

MONTREAL — An American company that signed a deal with the federal government to produce COVID-19 vaccines in Montreal is warning investors it could go out of business within the year. 

Executives at Maryland-based Novavax told investors yesterday on a conference call that there is significant uncertainty surrounding the company’s ability to continue funding operations as the market for COVID-19 vaccines changes. 

In February 2021, the federal government announced a deal with the company to begin producing its vaccine at a National Research Council facility in Montreal. 

The NRC said on a website last updated in December that it is still working on the “technology transfer” required to produce the vaccine. 

Novavax Chief Financial Officer Jim Kelly told investors that the company, which lost more than $600 million last year, doesn’t expect to sell any new vaccine during the first three months of 2023 and there are fears that funding from the United States government could be cut.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

19h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

Mitsubishi Chemical announced early last month that another company planning the commercial manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada, Quebec-based Medicago Inc., would be shut down.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 1, 2023.

The Canadian Press