BERLIN- BioNTech has won a five-year contract with the German health ministry to produce and supply mRNA vaccines in emergency situations in the country, the Germany-based biotechnology company said on Friday.

Under the framework agreement, BioNTech would reserve and maintain manufacturing capabilities to produce at least 80 million mRNA-based vaccine doses each year to address potential public health threats, the company said in a statement.

"There is growing evidence that viral pandemics will continue to pose a public health challenge for years," said Sean Marett, BioNTech's chief business and chief commercial officer.

BioNTech did not specify any financial details of the agreement.

(Reporting by Zuzanna Szymanska Editing by Riham Alkousaa)