Moderna’s Innovation and Technology Centre in Oxfordshire has officially opened, marking a major milestone in the UK’s life sciences sector.
The new facility will produce millions of vaccines for seasonal viruses such as COVID-19, flu and RSV, while pioneering mRNA technology to tackle cancer and other emerging diseases.
The centre is part of Moderna’s 10-year strategic partnership with the UK Government, which includes over £1 billion in research and development investment. This initiative taps into Britain’s world-class academic institutions, skilled workforce, and the NHS’s unique role in driving medical innovation.
The Oxfordshire site will support around 150 highly skilled jobs, contributing to the UK’s ambition to become a global hub for RNA-based therapies. In the event of a future pandemic, the facility could produce up to 250 million vaccine doses annually, significantly enhancing national health security.
The UK’s £100 billion life sciences sector, which supports over 300,000 jobs, is central to the government’s Industrial Strategy. Strategic partnerships, such as this one with Moderna, alongside others with BioNTech, Eli Lilly, and GSK, are helping to unlock private investment and accelerate innovation.
The government is also piloting the £50 million Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund, which aims to support large-scale, capital-intensive projects worth over £100 million. This fund is designed to attract global investment and reinforce the UK’s position as a leader in life sciences.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, commented:
“Life sciences are a great British success story, and this new cutting-edge facility is the next pivotal moment in boosting our nation’s health, innovation and economy.
“The government is investing billions into this vital sector, and partnering the might of Moderna with the brilliance of our NHS will enable us to benefit from innovative vaccine technology as we shift healthcare from treatment to prevention.
“Pioneering centres like these will help ensure this country remains a powerhouse in this growing industry, as part of our comprehensive Plan for Change.”
Locating the centre in Oxfordshire strengthens the OxCam Corridor, a region that already contributes over £40 billion to UK GDP. Fully realising its potential could add a further £78 billion by 2035, making it a cornerstone of Britain’s innovation economy.
Moderna’s investment also includes support for clinical trials, postgraduate researchers, and broader R&D efforts. The company was one of the UK’s largest industry sponsors of clinical trials in 2024, helping to expand volunteer participation through the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway.
Image credit: iStock
