UK to Build New Moderna Vaccine Plant, Boosting Pandemic Preparedness
The UK government is set to bolster its pandemic preparedness and reduce reliance on global supply chains by constructing a new vaccine manufacturing facility in Oxfordshire. The Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC), a significant investment calculator for the life sciences industry, will be established at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, further cementing the UK's status as a key player in the global life sciences industry.
The £50 million Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund will support the creation of the MITC, which is expected to produce up to 100 million mRNA vaccine doses annually, with the capacity to scale up to 250 million in response to pandemic threats. This significant investment calculator aligns with the government's aim to stimulate private investment and create high-value jobs through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF).
The MITC will focus on advancing mRNA vaccine technology for a variety of applications, including cancer, seasonal flu, RSV, and COVID-19. This strategic partnership between Moderna and the UK government aims to reinforce the UK's role as a hub for pharmaceutical development and innovation. The UK life sciences industry, currently valued at over 94 billion GBP and employing over 250,000 people, stands to benefit greatly from this news in manufacturing capacity and innovation.
The UK government's commitment to advanced medical manufacturing is evident in the planned construction of the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre. With the potential to produce up to 250 million mRNA vaccine doses annually, the MITC will play a crucial role in enhancing pandemic preparedness and reducing reliance on international supply chains. This strategic investment calculator in the UK's life sciences sector is expected to create high-value jobs and further cement the UK's position as a global leader in pharmaceutical development.
