2 billion doses of BioNTech’s vaccine, have been delivered around the world.
Summary sheet
The promoter is a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of developing next generation immunotherapies. The project supports the development of a prophylactic vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The investment plan includes R&D expenditures for the development of the product and the design and construction a of large-scale facility for the commercial manufacturing of the vaccine.
The promoter is leveraging its vaccine platform to focus on developing a potent, efficacious, safe SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that could be manufactured rapidly, thereby ensuring a market supply for a substantial proportion of the population. Furthermore, the project is expected to have a positive impact on the sustainable growth and employment of the company. The EIB's services will assess the promoter's research, development and innovation (RDI) strategy, organisation and the expected quality and soundness of the investment during the appraisal.
The project mainly concerns investments in RDI that are expected to be carried out in the promoter's existing facilities or other research centres already authorised for the same purpose and would therefore not require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the Directive 2014/52/EU amending the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU. Additional capital expenditures investments could also be expected to be made into the of an existing manufacturing facility to allow large scale production, this aspect of the project falls under the annex II of the EIA directive (2014/52/EU), referring to the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. Full environmental details will be verified during appraisal, including evidence of any screening by the competent authorities.
The promoter has been assessed by the EIB as being a private company not being subject to EU rules on public procurement or concessions. However, if after the project appraisal, the EIB were to conclude that the Promoter is after all subject to EU public procurement legislation (Directive 2014/24/EU), then the Bank would require the Promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project will be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2014/24/EU, as well as Directive 89/665/EEC) as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required.
Disclaimer
Before financing approval by the Board of Directors, and before loan signature, projects are under appraisal and negotiation. The information and data provided on this page are therefore indicative.
They are provided for transparency purposes only and cannot be considered to represent official EIB policy (see also the Explanatory notes).
Documents
News & Stories
Inside the project
How & why
Supporting the fight against COVID-19 and promoting innovation
Why
- Vital to pandemic response
- Supports the European supply chain for advanced vaccines
- Strengthens research, development, innovation and skills in Europe
How
- Market funding for large-scale infectious disease projects is limited. Stable, long-term funding from the EIB allows for timely development to respond to the pandemic
- Upgrading production facilities to allow large scale production of a COVID-19 vaccine
- Supporting the growth of an innovative biotech supports high-skilled jobs and European knowledge in a key sector
Sectors & Countries
PLAY VIDEO
1:14
BioNTech is really exciting because it’s a European biotech company with great science that is now one of the vaccine frontrunners, and it’s a company that we already supported in the past.
Related media
BioNTech moves to head of pack in fight against coronavirus
EU financing for COVID-19 vaccine helps German firm close in on a solution with highly effective trial results
Health Solutions: The pandemic next time
Even before COVID-19 is beaten, it’s time for governments, scientists, health systems and financial and development institutions to assess the lessons of the coronavirus and set new standards for pandemic preparedness
Health Solutions: Caught out by a pandemic
Creating the infrastructure to develop quick, new diagnostics was a major achievement of the COVID-19 pandemic. But we need to keep financing innovation to be ready for the next big one.
Related projects and stories
Business in a bomb shelter
Ukrainian companies receive urgent help to do business internationally while war rages
Find a home without bias
UK startup creates an unbiased tenant-referencing programme to give tenants an equal chance to find a home
Dome of renewables
Carbon dioxide is causing climate change. But an Italian company has figured out how to make it the solution for renewable energy storage—and to fight global warming
Videos
General enquiries and comments
The EIB is committed to open communication and encourages constructive stakeholder input regarding its activities.
Enquiries and comments concerning the EIB’s involvement in a project or the financing facilities, activities, organisation and objectives of the EIB, can be sent to the EIB Infodesk.
Alternatively, the EIB can be contacted through its external offices.
Queries regarding details of a specific project, in particular when it is under appraisal by the EIB, should preferably be addressed directly to project promoters.
Media enquiries
Media-related enquiries can be addressed to the EIB Press Office. Please also visit our Media information section.
Complaints mechanism
Any complaint regarding alleged maladministration can be lodged via the EIB Complaints Mechanism. The European Ombudsman acts as an independent external accountability mechanism of the EIB.
Zero tolerance against fraud and corruption
The EIB has a zero tolerance policy on fraud or corruption. To report allegations of fraud and corruption relating to EIB-financed projects, please contact the Fraud and Investigation division. All complaints will be treated as strictly confidential and handled in line with the EIB investigation procedures and the Anti-Fraud Policy.
Related publications