An agreement has been made between Moderna and the UK government to build a research and manufacturing centre in the UK.
The new Innovation and Technology Centre will develop mRNA vaccines for a wide range of respiratory diseases, including vaccines for COVID-19 aimed to protect against multiple variants, and “significantly boost” the UK’s ability to respond to future health threats.
A large-scale mRNA manufacturing centre is also set to be opened, providing a consistent supply of vaccines for patients in the UK. One of the aims is ensure that patients can access the latest advancements in vaccine technology quickly and is capable of scaling up production rapidly in the event of a health emergency.
Construction is expected to commence later this year, with the first mRNA vaccine due to be produced by the UK in 2025.
Moderna also plans to expand its presence in the UK through investments in research and development and will deliver a high number of its clinical trials here, with the partnership supporting the Life Sciences Vision launched in the UK last year, which set the ambition for the UK to become the leading global hub for life sciences.
Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna, said: “We are excited to be able to continue our collaboration with the UK government and Vaccine Taskforce with this new mRNA Innovation and Technology Centre in the UK. The UK has established a world-class life sciences and research community.
“We are committed to global public health, and as we continue to expand internationally, we are pleased to bring local mRNA manufacturing to the UK. We look forward to establishing our research and development activities and capabilities in the country.”
“The establishment of the Moderna mRNA Innovation and Technology Centre is great news for the UK’s research and development activities and future capabilities,” commented Patrick Vallance, Government Chief Scientific Adviser. “Rapid cutting-edge vaccines were vital in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Developing the next generation of mRNA vaccines will be crucial in boosting our ability to prevent and respond to a wide range of diseases in the future.”
