Moderna announces UK mRNA Innovation and Technology Centre

Under a new agreement in principle with the UK Government, Moderna will establish a state-of-the-art mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility to provide access to rapid pandemic response capabilities and Moderna’s respiratory virus vaccine candidates.

Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna noted the UK’s world-class life sciences and researches community, as he expressed his excitement “to be able to continue [Moderna’s] collaboration with the UK government and Vaccine Taskforce with [the] new mRNA Innovation and Technology Centre.”

“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,” he continued. “We look forward to establishing our R&D activities and capabilities in the country.”

Moderna expects its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to produce mRNA vaccines, including vaccines against COVID-19, seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and potential other vaccines, with the collaboration of the UK government.

Conscious of what the future may hold, the centre is also intended to be activated on an urgent basis to support the UK with direct access to rapid pandemic response capabilities and will support the UK in its global efforts as part of its ‘100 Days Mission’ to reduce the impact of future pandemics.

In addition, Moderna is planning to invest in R&D activities, with the aim of expanding its UK presence. Notably, it is currently collaborating with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on a Phase III study investigating Moderna’s bivalent Omicron-containing booster candidate (mRNA-1273.214) in the UK.