Moderna, an American pharmaceutical multinational, has opened a new manufacturing and research & development (R&D) facility at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, UK.
The Modern Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC) can produce up to 100 million mRNA drug vaccine doses per year under normal circumstances, and has the capacity to scale up to 250 million doses during a pandemic response. This agility represents a critical component of the UK’s national resilience strategy for future health emergencies.
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The facility supports around 150 highly skilled jobs and will produce COVID-19 vaccines for NHS seasonal vaccination programs while conducting research into mRNA applications for cancer and rare diseases.
“The opening of the MITC marks the first facility in the UK to manufacture an onshore supply of mRNA vaccines,” said Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s chief executive officer.
“Our strategic partnership with the UK has already delivered more than 20 clinical trials across 110 sites nationwide, making Moderna the largest commercial sponsor of trials in the country. Together, we successfully delivered this vision from concept to operational readiness in under two years. This latest milestone underscores the UK’s commitment to improving health security, both against global health emergencies and ongoing seasonal respiratory threats.”
The facility represents a cornerstone of Moderna’s 10-year strategic partnership with the UK government, which includes over £1b ($1.3b) in R&D investment.
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By GlobalDataDarius Hughes, Moderna’s UK general manager, said: “It has been incredible to see the MITC built at speed to bring our mRNA manufacturing to the UK, and this progress wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our partners and the UK Government. With the facility now open and operational, we’re proud to be the first company to establish a UK-based mRNA manufacturing capability to support NHS seasonal vaccination programs. This mission-driven collaboration strengthens the UK’s pandemic preparedness and is a win-win-win for patients, for government, and for the life sciences sector.”
Moderna is an industry leader in the development of the mRNA medicine.
