Moderna Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) has announced plans to open its first vaccine factory in the UK, praising Britain's "world-class life sciences and research community" efforts during COVID-19.
A deal worth £1bn will see the vaccine manufacturer collaborate with the UK government to build a manufacturing facility for messenger RNA vaccines for COVID and flu.
The state-of-the-art facility is expected to boost the UK's rapid pandemic response capabilities, which the government hopes could provide a "future-proof" defence against emerging health threats.
Moderna will also invest in R&D efforts under the 10-year deal, which is expected to be finalised this summer as it requires final approval from both sides.
The Boston-based biotech company may consider building the facility in London, Oxford, or Cambridge, say reports, though it has not disclosed the size or location of the facility.
UK chemicals group Croda is already a major supplier to MRNa vaccine companies with 'polar lipids'.
When completed, the centre will produce 250mln doses annually, including some for export.
The construction of the facility is expected to begin this year, with the first jab due to take place in the UK in 2025.
Moderna, whose Covid-19 mRNA jabs played a key role in vaccinating Britain last year, is currently working with government agency the National Institute for Health Research on a Covid booster jab to tackle Covid variant Omicron.
The UK has ramped up vaccine production in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and has built The Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre during the pandemic with more than £200mln of taxpayers' money.
The Centre was originally planned as a small research and production facility that firms could use to develop next-generation shots, but due to the crisis, its scale was dramatically enlarged.
The Centre is expected to be completed by the end of this year, after the opening date was pushed back, and it will be able to make 70mln injections within four months.