Scots factory in £1.3bn deal to make 50m vaccines
A SCOTS factory is preparing to deliver 60million Covid-19 vaccines next year as part of a £1.3billion deal struck with the UK Government.
Under the agreement, Valneva is to produce 190 million doses of its experimental drug VLA20001 – if the vaccine development proves successful – at its facility in Livingston, West Lothian, over the next five years.
Clinical trials are expected by December and first regulatory approval could be granted in the second half of next year.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: ‘Having visited Valneva just last month, I have seen first-hand the incredible work they are doing to develop and manufacture a Covid-19 vaccine.
‘This new agreement could help us vaccinate millions of people across the country, as well as help create a UK vaccine manufacturing facility to speed up access to a potential Covid-19 candidate and boost the country’s resilience against future pandemics.’
Valneva will provide the UK Government with 60 million doses in the second half of 2021, if the vaccine’s development is successful. More than 40 million doses will be available in 2022 and a further 30 million to 90 million doses between 2023 and 2025.
The vaccine is expected to have a two-dose regimen.
Thomas Lingelbach, chief executive of Valneva, said: ‘We are honoured to have been chosen by the UK Government and are eager to partner with them to address this terrible ongoing pandemic.’
Mr Lingelbach said the vaccine manufacturing agreement was ‘another transformational step for Valneva’.