TOKYO, Japan (August 7, 2020)?? Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereinafter, Daiichi Sankyo) today announced that it was selected by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (hereinafter, the Ministry) to be a provider for the Japanese Government?s ?Emergent Initiative to Build Production Capacity for COVID-19 Vaccines (First Round)? with respect to Daiichi Sankyo?s genetic (mRNA) vaccine (hereinafter, DS-5670) for the novel corona virus infection (hereinafter, COVID-19).   DS-5670 is a gene (mRNA) vaccine for COVID-19 using a novel nucleic acid delivery technology discovered by Daiichi Sankyo, and as one of the company?s top-priority projects, it is being prepared to enter clinical studies around March 2021.   Daiichi Sankyo will develop a supply system for DS-5670 at the plant of its subsidiary company, Daiichi Sankyo Biotech Co., Ltd., located in Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture, and aims to build a platform for production technology in Japan that can respond not only to COVID-19 but also to the need for future emerging and re-emerging infectious disease vaccines.   In addition to the aforementioned supply of DS-5670, Daiichi Sankyo will proactively continue efforts to establish prevention and treatment methods for COVID-19, which has become an urgent social need.   About the Emergent Initiative to Build Production Capacity for COVID-19 Vaccines The project aims to swiftly develop an actual (large-scale) production system for biologics, including vaccines, in order to ensure that the vaccines necessary for the prevention of the spread and severity of unexpected epidemics, including COVID-19, are produced as soon as possible, and that their supply is secured for the Japanese people.   About Daiichi Sankyo Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical therapies to improve standards of care and address diversified, unmet medical needs of people globally by leveraging our world-class science and technology. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 15,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. In addition to a strong portfolio of medicines for cardiovascular diseases, under the Group?s 2025 Vision to become a ?Global Pharma Innovator with Competitive Advantage in Oncology,? Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on providing novel therapies in oncology, as well as other research areas centered around rare diseases and immune disorders. For more information, please visit:www.daiichisankyo.com.