Moderna and UK Government Ink Partnership to Build mRNA Vaccine Research Facility
Moderna Inc will make investments in mRNA research and development (R&D) in the UK and construct a cutting-edge facility for the manufacture of vaccines with the capacity to produce up to 250 million doses annually.
Planned to be operational by 2025, the construction of the mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility is expected to begin early in 2023. Moderna has finalized a 10-year strategic partnership with the U.K. government which will see through the development of a new Innovation and Technology Centre in the UK, creating more than 150 highly skilled jobs.
The partnership is also a great boost for the UK’s health research sector and will see the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) working with Moderna to ensure early vaccine development, assisting the G7 mission to get from variant to vaccine in 100 days.
The center will give NHS patients access to COVID-19 vaccinations made by Moderna, which can defend against several variations. It will also have the potential to develop vaccinations that target a variety of different illnesses, such as the flu and RSV.
Moderna’s CEO Stéphane Bancel commented:
“Our new state-of-the-art facility will bring mRNA manufacturing to UK shores, providing the UK public with access to pandemic response capabilities through Moderna Covid-19 vaccines and future respiratory virus vaccine candidates.
“We look forward to being part of the UK’s world-renowned science and innovation community, contributing to the UK health ecosystem through significant investments in R&D activities and expanding our clinical trial footprint across the country.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic mRNA technology was distinguished as one of the fastest ways to develop highly effective vaccines and has been of critical importance for protecting people.
Richard Torbett, Chief Executive, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) said:
“This partnership is fantastic news for British manufacturing and UK-based science and research. It is an important reminder that the Life Sciences Industry has the potential to be a key growth driver for the UK economy.”
“The pharmaceutical industry already invests more than any other sector in R&D in the UK, driving the discovery of the next generation of medicines and vaccines. As this deal shows, with the right support and backing from government, our industry can drive forward innovation-led growth, and deliver the high-quality, high-value jobs our economy needs.”
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