UK Government Provides Cash Boost for COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacture

According to a July 23, 2020 press release, the United Kingdom’s government will be committing a further £100 million (US $127 million) to ensure that there is capability to manufacture a successful COVID-19 vaccine at scale in the UK.

The investment will be used to fund a new Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Manufacturing Innovation Centre, aimed at speeding up the mass production of a successful COVID-19 vaccine. It is anticipated that the new center will be open in December 2021 and is expected to have the capacity to produce millions of doses per month.

“We are taking all necessary steps to ensure we can vaccinate the public as soon as a successful COVID-19 vaccine becomes available,” said Alok Sharma, business secretary for the UK, in the press release. “This new Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Manufacturing Innovation Centre, alongside crucial investment in skills, will support our efforts to rapidly produce millions of doses of a coronavirus vaccine while ensuring the UK can respond quickly to potential future pandemics.”

“This commitment from government through the Vaccines Taskforce will enable continued growth and productivity in the cell and gene therapy sector, as well as providing vital resource for vaccine manufacturing and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Matthew Durdy, CEO, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, in the press release. “We are delighted to be able to deploy the specialist capabilities of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult in such an important initiative. Accelerating the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, increasing skills and employment, and facilitating growth of the advanced medicines industry will make a valuable contribution to the recovery of the economy.”

Source: Gov.uk