Trade press release

High quality vaccine production with GEA technology

03 Apr 2020

Amidst the ongoing Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, laboratories around the globe are working tirelessly to find a vaccine.

GEA vaccination centrifuge package

GEA vaccination centrifuge package with fully automatic SIP (Sterilizing-In-Place). Steam-sterilizable and completely sealed, designed for maximum biosafety and containment. (Photo: GEA/Tim Luhmann)

Yet, with the health and lives of people all over the world at stake, time is running out. And it’s not just individuals that are susceptible to the massive consequences COVID-19, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), entire societies and economic systems are under threat.

In these uncertain times, GEA, the globally active mechanical and plant engineering company, is taken its role in the fight against this — and any other — epidemic, extremely seriously. Committed to “Engineering for a better world,” GEA designs and builds modular plant and fully integrated systems that meet the extremely high demands of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

A vaccine must be brought to market quickly and in large quantities

GEA can help to overcome this high hurdle. A critical factor underlying the success of the company is its ability to swiftly translate new developments into marketable processes and systems that fully meet the complex requirements of biotechnological procedures

To produce a viable vaccine, any successful process must expedite the transfer from the laboratory to commercial-scale production. This is not an easy task and the amount of effort required and the timelines involved are often underestimated. This is particularly true with vaccines because, being “biologic” drugs produced using micro-organisms, they must be handled with great care during the manufacturing process. Small changes in production conditions can have a massive impact on their consistency and functionality. A strictly regulated manufacturing process with in-process and release tests must be used to guarantee the quality, safety and efficacy of the final product.

During the development of any vaccine and before mass production can begin, a large-scale (Phase III) clinical trial must be done. To reach that stage, however, the right equipment must be in place and the production process must be optimized. With access to some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing equipment and a wealth of expertise and experience to call on, GEA fundamentally understands the processes involved in vaccine production, the capabilities of the technologies employed and the engineering required to ensure that they operate at optimum capacity with the least amount of maintenance.

Existing production facilities and capacities cannot simply be ramped up or expanded at will. From the planning phase to the construction and automation of turnkey plant and process lines that meet stringent hygienic and regulatory requirements, GEA understands that process and has an established track record of developing and supplying customer-oriented solutions.

With its unique blend of expertise and experience, from early stage research to commercial-scale applications, GEA supplies standalone machines or integrated lines that guarantee a high yield of valuable substances and operate efficiently, reliably and economically. Whether large or small, GEA can add value to any vaccine production project.

Media Relations

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

Peter-Müller-Str. 12


40468

Düsseldorf


Germany

+49 211 9136-0

About GEA

GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services.

With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated revenues of about EUR 5.4 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2023 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customer’s production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world“. GEA is listed on the German MDAX the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is among the companies comprising the DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability as well as Dow Jones Sustainability World and Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Indices.
 
Receive news from GEA

Stay in touch with GEA innovations and stories by signing up for news from GEA.

Contact us

We are here to help! With just a few details we will be able to respond to your inquiry.