Camille Bonte, GEM MS 2018, planning for 1 billion Coronavirus vaccines

Camille  Bonte, GEM MS 2018, is planning the production of 1 billion doses of GSK’s adjuvant AS03 by the end of 2021 to be used in Coronavirus vaccines.

After earning her Advanced Master in Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Management from Grenoble Ecole de Management, Camille joined GSK, a science-led global healthcare company that researches, develops, and manufactures innovative medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. 

In her interview with The Times she explains, “I was really attracted to the purpose that GSK has to ‘help people do more, feel better and live longer’. For me, it’s very important to have a job where you feel like you’re doing something that has an impact on global heath.” 

Since September 2018, Camille has been an associate in GSK’s Future Leaders Programme where she has had three different placements in Belgium and Germany. In her most recent placement as AS03 Global Supply planner, she is planning the production of GSK’s adjuvant AS03, an ingredient added to vaccines to create a stronger immune response when combined with an antigen, which is of particular importance in a pandemic situation. 

GSK is committed to producing 1 billion doses of its adjuvant by the end of 2021 for use by its vaccine partners. This is certainly a tall order to fill by the end of 2021 considering that under normal circumstances it can take up to two years to manufacture a vaccine. They must also ensure that this doesn't impact the schedules of other vaccines they are currently manufacturing. 

The US has already ordered one hundred million doses and the UK another sixty million. Since the original article was published, GSK has collaborated with Sanofi to announce agreements with the EU and Canada. Camille is both proud and excited to be working on such an important project, "I find it very exciting to be involved in something that is so critical to all our lives today".

Read her full article in The Times here.