Moderna Advances Local mRNA Vaccine Production in Mexico

Mexico is moving to strengthen its health industry and long-term vaccine supply through a new agreement with Moderna that combines local manufacturing, technology transfer, and clinical research, signaling a broader strategy to reinforce national health sovereignty.

“This model will ensure a timely, continuous, and regulated supply of vaccines while strengthening national public health capabilities,” says the Mexican Ministry of Health (SSA).

Moderna signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Mexican government, state-owned Laboratorios de Biológicos y Reactivos de México (BIRMEX), and pharmaceutical manufacturer Laboratorios Liomont. The agreement is designed to expand domestic production of messenger RNA vaccines, secure access to respiratory vaccines and support research aligned with Mexico’s public health priorities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum states that the agreement marks a significant step for the country’s health system and scientific capacity. Speaking at the signing, she said the partnership will allow vaccines to be produced in Mexico, not only for COVID-19 but also for other diseases, while opening the door to joint scientific research led by Mexican investigators. Sheinbaum highlighted that the collaboration goes beyond manufacturing and includes the development of local research programs in biomedicine and related fields. She pointed to areas such as dengue and cancer vaccines as examples of future lines of research that could be developed domestically, framing the agreement as part of a broader goal to position Mexico as a scientific power across multiple areas of knowledge.

Under the agreement, Moderna will supply its respiratory vaccine portfolio to Mexico and transfer technology to Liomont so it can produce mRNA-1273, Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, at its facilities in the country. The arrangement is intended to establish a reliable in-country supply of vaccines and reduce dependence on external manufacturing during periods of high demand or global disruption.

​​One of the most relevant components of the memorandum is the establishment of a phased plan to install an mRNA vaccine manufacturing plant in Mexico through a gradual technology transfer process from Moderna to Laboratorios Liomont. In the first stage, local production will focus on fill-and-finish operations of the pharmaceutical product. In a second stage, the project will advance toward domestic manufacturing of the drug substance, including the production of messenger RNA and lipid nanoparticles, which are key components of mRNA vaccines. This process represents a strategic step toward building advanced industrial capabilities in Mexico and strengthening the country’s health sovereignty.

The initiative aligns with Plan México, a federal strategy aimed at increasing investment and expanding local production capacity in strategic sectors, including healthcare and biotechnology. As part of this framework, Moderna and Mexican authorities will also collaborate on local clinical R&D programs based on national health priorities and on strengthening the country’s pandemic preparedness framework.

“In the event of an official declaration, the possibility of reserving productive capacity of pharmaceutical substance for the development of new vaccines is contemplated, under terms to be defined between the parties, thus strengthening the country's response capacity to future health emergencies,” says the SSA. 

Stéphane Bancel, CEO, Moderna, says the agreement supports Mexico’s efforts to reinforce national health security while expanding access to vaccines. He says the collaboration reflects sustained demand for respiratory vaccines in Mexico and allows the company to support public health needs while pursuing geographic diversification.

The agreement follows recent regulatory and procurement milestones for Moderna in the Mexican market. The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS), has approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for the 2025–2026 season for individuals aged six months and older. In addition, the Mexican government has awarded a contract for the supply of up to 10 million doses of the vaccine to Logística y Transporte para la Industria de la Salud, known as Medistik.

Taken together, the manufacturing agreement, regulatory approvals and public procurement point to a more integrated approach to vaccine policy in Mexico. By combining public institutions such as BIRMEX, private domestic manufacturers like Laboratorios Liomont, and international biotechnology companies, the government is seeking to build a more resilient vaccine ecosystem.

For the health industry, the deal underscores a shift toward localized production of advanced biologics and closer coordination between public policy and private-sector capabilities. For Mexico, it represents an effort to embed R&D and manufacturing within the national health system, to improve readiness for both endemic diseases and future public health emergencies.