The government has announced a major boost for the UK’s life sciences sector as the new Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre officially opens in Oxfordshire. The facility sits on the Harwell Campus and marks a significant step forward for vaccine development, national resilience and research translation in the UK.
Alongside the opening, the government has unveiled a £50 million Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund, designed to attract large scale investment into UK based research and development.
A major investment in Oxfordshire’s life sciences strengths
Moderna’s new centre is part of the company’s 10 year strategic partnership with the government. This includes over £1 billion of investment in UK R&D. The opening demonstrates the strength of Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem and the depth of expertise found across the Harwell science and technology community.
The facility will create around 150 highly skilled jobs and will support groundbreaking work using mRNA vaccine technology to address cancer and seasonal infections, including flu, RSV and COVID 19. Subject to the usual regulatory processes, the centre will play a key role in enabling new therapies to reach patients faster.
Supporting a sector that contributes £100 billion to the UK economy
The UK’s life sciences sector is worth around £100 billion and supports more than 300,000 jobs across the country. Investments like Moderna’s demonstrate the continued strength of the UK as a destination for cutting edge research and development.
The announcement also confirms that the government is piloting the £50 million Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund. This fund aims to support large scale, capital intensive projects worth over £100 million. It is designed to attract substantial private investment and reinforce the UK’s position as the location of choice for life sciences innovation.
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
“Life sciences are a great British success story and this new cutting-edge facility is the next pivotal moment in boosting our nation’s health, innovation and economy.
The government is investing billions into this vital sector and partnering the might of Moderna with the brilliance of our NHS will enable us to benefit from innovative vaccine technology as we shift healthcare from treatment to prevention.
Pioneering centres like these will help ensure this country remains a powerhouse in this growing industry, as part of our comprehensive Plan for Change.”
Science Minister Lord Vallance added:
“The UK’s life sciences sector is a fundamental part of our nation’s health and economy, and will be critical to our ambitions going forward. The pioneering work Moderna will be doing, here in the UK, on mRNA is a prime example of the opportunity we want to grasp.
It’s the chance for new treatments that save lives, and new products that drive growth and job creation, all made possible thanks to our world-class institutions, skills, and the NHS. It is this unique mix that makes the UK a life sciences destination that punches well above its weight.
The opening of this centre is proof of the brilliant things coming out of the deep and meaningful relationships we’re determined to forge with companies like Moderna. This Innovation Centre will strengthen the UK’s growth, health, and our resilience.”
Strengthening the Oxford to Cambridge innovation economy
The Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre being based in Oxfordshire will also bolster the wealth of talent, expertise and innovative thinking found right across the OxCam Corridor. The Oxford-Cambridge region already accounts for over 7% of total UK GDP, contributing over £40 billion to the UK economy, and fully realising its potential could add a further £78 billion by 2035.
Having Moderna based on the Harwell Campus aligns with the area’s growing cluster of life sciences companies, research institutes and advanced technology organisations. It reinforces Oxfordshire’s position as one of the most dynamic and productive innovation ecosystems in the UK.
Full government announcement available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-of-vaccines-to-be-made-in-oxfordshire-and-government-unveils-50-million-fund-in-double-boost-for-life-sciences
