Cytiva has finalized a $31 million deal with HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to develop and manufacture COVID-19 vaccine component parts.

The contract, which is part of the administration’s Operation Warp Speed initiative to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines, stipulates that Cytiva will expand its Massachusetts manufacturing facility and build a new plant in Utah to supply cell culture media, cell culture buffers, mixer bags and bioreactors.

The U.S. government has allocated more than $1.1 billion to expand U.S. manufacturing capabilities for COVID-19 treatments and for the needles, syringes, vials and other materials needed for vaccinations.

“As part of Operation Warp Speed, we are expanding U.S.-based manufacturing of the products that are essential in the development and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar.