Moderna finalises plan for new UK manufacturing facility

Biotechnology company Moderna, which produces pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, has announced the finalisation of a strategic partnership with the UK government to establish a state-of-the-art mRNA research, development, and manufacturing facility in the UK. This milestone follows the agreement in principle between Moderna and the UK government announced in June 2022.

Once operational, the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC) is intended to provide access to a domestically manufactured portfolio of future mRNA vaccines against respiratory viruses, pending regulatory assessment and licensure. In addition, the facility is intended to provide the UK with direct access to pandemic response capabilities, which will support the UK in its global efforts as part of its “100 Days Mission” to reduce the impact of future pandemics. As part of the ten-year partnership, Moderna will also support the UK’s mRNA health and science ecosystem.

Construction is expected to commence in early 2023, with the facility expected to become operational by 2025, subject to planning and regulatory approvals.

Moderna has finalised plans to establish a research, development and manufacturing facility in the UK / Picture: Getty/iStock

Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of Moderna, said: “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.”

Darius Hughes, Moderna’s general manager for the UK, added: “We are excited to continue our collaboration with the UK government and UK Health Security Agency to establish the UK as a world-leading mRNA center of excellence. When constructed, our facility will harness mRNA science with the aim of developing and manufacturing vaccines that have the potential to address future threats posed by respiratory viruses.”

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