Moderna has agreed to invest in a Covid vaccine research and development and build a new vaccine manufacturing facility in the UK.
“The deal is also a major boost for UK health research and will see the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) working with Moderna to ensure early vaccine development” said the government.
The 10-year deal will see 250mln mRNA vaccines produced every year and will create 150 new jobs.
“Developing vaccines on UK shores means it will be able to scale up production rapidly” a government statement added.
NHS patients will also benefit by gaining access to UK-made vaccines for Covid, flu and respiratory syncytial viruses.
“By boosting our onshore vaccine manufacturing capability, we are a step closer to becoming the leading global hub for life sciences” said Steve Barclay, UK health secretary.
Moderna’s decision aims to future proof the country in case of any potential pandemics with the US pharma to run a significant number of clinical trials in the UK, he added.