£67M Vaccines Centre to Open at Harwell Campus

The UK’s first dedicated Vaccines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (VMIC), set to stimulate and accelerate early stage clinical development is to be located at Harwell Campus. Funded through a £67 million grant from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, VMIC will provide facilities and subject matter expertise that will rapidly accelerate vaccine research in the UK and establish the nation's first vaccines advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Founded by three academic institutions, The University of Oxford, Imperial College and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, with support from Industrial partners MSD, Johnson and Johnson, and GE Healthcare the VMIC, announced on Aug 6, aims to stimulate and accelerate early stage clinical development, whilst also serving as an emergency response capability for the UK Government to produce vaccines against specific threats, such as epidemics, emerging infectious diseases, and deliberate/accidental release of biological agents.

Heading up the Centre will be newly appointed Chief Executive Dr Matthew Duchars who has worked in the biotechnology business for over 30 years and is experienced in providing strategic direction and technical leadership for the development of medical countermeasures.

Welcoming Dr Duchars to his new role, Sir Mark Walport Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation said, “Dr Duchars will provide strategic leadership for the Vaccines Manufacturing Innovation Centre. His expertise and experience will ensure that the Centre will get off to a strong start when it opens in 2022. His appointment underlines our commitment to support this vital work in the field of vaccines, which will protect the public and support our burgeoning biotech sector.”

Commenting on his new role, Dr Duchars said: “This is a great time to join such an exciting and prestigious venture. We are assembling a team of leading experts in vaccine science and manufacturing, as well as building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This will make a real difference as we fight to prevent some of the most dangerous diseases from infecting people, both at home and around the world.”