Industry-Led Manufacturing Group Welcomes UK Government Investment

News
Article

A UK BioIndustry Association industry-led vaccine manufacturing group has welcomed a recent announcement by the government of the UK, that it will receive £14 million (US$17.3 million) in investment to rapidly scale up the development of vaccines for COVID-19.

A UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) industry-led vaccine manufacturing group has welcomed a recent announcement by the government of the United Kingdom, that it will receive £14 million (US$17.3 million) in investment to rapidly scale up the development of vaccines for COVID-19.

According to an April 17, 2020 press release, the group will work closely with the UK government and will report directly into the chief scientific advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance, on the progress of treatments and vaccines. Founded by BIA, the group will consider any vaccines or therapies for COVID-19, irrespective of where they are based, and will help where possible.

The group is a collaboration of private and public-sector companies, as well as academia and universities, and is chaired by Ian McCubbin, OBE, the former vice-president for Global Manufacturing and Supply at GlaxoSmithKline. Current work being supported by the group includes an adenovirus vaccine candidate from the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, and an mRNA vaccine currently being worked on at the Imperial College London.

“[This] announcement will help accelerate the manufacturing capacity and capability of the UK and support vaccine candidates and other COVID-19 therapies, which are needed in this global health crisis,” said Steve Bates OBE, CEO of the BIA, in the press release. “The industry-led vaccine manufacturing group has been working closely with Oxford University and Imperial College London, to assess supply chains and understand what they require to scale and rapidly deploy their vaccines. The UK has world leading science in academia, vaccines, and advanced therapies, and with the government’s announcement, we can begin to create the capability to industrialise for health and economic benefits now, and in the future. BIA is proud to have established this industry-led vaccine manufacturing group, drawing on expertise from across the UK life sciences ecosystem and under the excellent leadership of Ian McCubbin, this project is now an important part of the jigsaw in tackling COVID-19.”  

Source: BIA

 

Recent Videos
Miguel Forte from ISCT and Kiji Therapeutics talks about the potential impact of a changing European political landscape.
Miguel Forte from ISCT and Kiji Therapeutics provides his insights into the changing political landscape in the US as well as legislative and regulatory adjustments
Miguel Forte from ISCT and Kiji Therapeutics chats about expectations for 2025 and the future technology agenda for industry.
Sheryl Johnson from Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials chats about gender diversity, how women are helping to advance innovation, sustainability challenges, and progress in the field of inhaled drugs.
Mike Baird from Schlafender Hase gives his predictions for how AI and ML may find use in the industry moving forwards and provides some predictions about M&A and the changing US government administration.
Mike Baird from Schlafender Haser discusses industry trends from 2024 and those expected to have an impact in 2025 from the perspective of a software developer.
Preeya Beczek from Beczek.COM gives her thoughts on the areas to watch with the new US administration and how Europe might be finalizing preparations for previous legislative changes
Related Content