Moderna to build UK’s first mRNA vaccine research and manufacturing centre

theguardian.com:

The Boston-based biotech Moderna is tobuild the UK’s first research and manufacturing centre dedicated to the development of mRNA vaccines against new Covid variants and other respiratory illnesses, in an effort to improve readiness for future pandemics.

Under a £1bn deal with the UK government, construction of the new centre – Moderna’s first facility in Britain – could begin later this year and is expected to start producing the first shots in 2025. The government has committed to buying Moderna’s vaccines for the next decade.

The jabs are based on messenger RNA, the molecule that teaches our cells to make specific proteins that will trigger an immune response inside our bodies. Moderna developed one of two mRNA vaccines used worldwide against Covid-19, the other being produced by Germany’s BioNTech and US firm Pfizer.

Moderna’s chief executive, Stéphane Bancel, said the priority was to develop a jab combining boosters against Covid, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can be serious for infants and older people.

MRNA technology proved one of the fastest routes to produce an effective vaccine against Covid, and scientists are exploring its use against other diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, flu and malaria.

Boris Johnson said the investment would “guarantee jabs in arms against some of the toughest viruses out there, bringing us to the forefront of the fight against future threats”. He added: “We’ve all seen what vaccines can do, and today’s partnership brings us one step closer to finding cures for some of the most devastating diseases.”

The health secretary, Sajid Javid, added: “Our new partnership with Moderna will cement the UK’s status as a science