Moderna's new mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Oxfordshire has officially become fully operational after receiving certification for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) from UK regulators, marking a significant advancement in the country's pandemic preparedness capabilities.
The Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC), located in Harwell, Oxfordshire, can now begin commercial manufacturing of mRNA vaccines following an inspection that confirmed the plant's compliance with GMP principles and guidelines. The facility received its manufacturer's license from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Strategic Partnership with UK Government
The facility represents a cornerstone of a ten-year strategic partnership between Moderna and the UK government, managed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Under this collaboration, the site is designed to produce at least 250 million vaccine doses during a future pandemic for the NHS and UK public.
"This significant achievement marks a major step forward in our mission to establish end-to-end mRNA manufacturing capabilities in the UK, and we are proud to have reached it in less than two years since breaking ground on the site," said Darius Hughes, UK General Manager of Moderna. "This important step brings the company closer to ensuring a reliable, onshore supply of mRNA vaccines within the UK."
Hughes further described the facility as "an important pillar of our pandemic preparedness" that will "really enable us to scale up within 100 days to make British vaccines for the UK public."
Rapid Response Manufacturing Capabilities
One of the most notable features of the MITC is its flexibility and speed. The facility is designed to rapidly pivot production between different vaccine types as public health needs evolve.
"One week we could be making a couple of million COVID vaccines, the next week we could be making a couple of million norovirus vaccines. It's that level of flexibility," Hughes explained. "And even within a season, if the virus might change or mutate... we could get a new code, a new set of messages, and make a new vaccine within weeks."
This adaptability is particularly valuable given the unpredictable nature of viral threats and the potential need to quickly modify vaccines in response to mutations.
Beyond Pandemic Response
Beyond vaccine production, the facility will also process samples from clinical trials working on the development of new drugs. Scientists at the site have already begun investigating the effectiveness of new protections against norovirus.
The mRNA technology that made Moderna a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic has applications beyond infectious disease. Experts believe the technology could help advance treatments in other areas such as cancer, influenza, and heart disease.
Immediate Priorities
According to Moderna, the first priority for the new facility is to produce a new COVID-19 vaccine for the NHS for next winter. The government will purchase vaccines manufactured at the site as part of the strategic partnership agreement.
Global Manufacturing Network
The Harwell facility joins Moderna's growing global network of strategic manufacturing sites, which also includes locations in Canada and Australia. These facilities have been strategically positioned to enable rapid vaccine deployment during future public health emergencies.
The establishment of the MITC follows the previous sale of the government-funded Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC), which was based in Harwell but was sold to pharmaceutical company Catalent in 2022 before completion.
With this new facility now operational, the UK has significantly enhanced its domestic vaccine manufacturing capabilities, reducing dependence on international supply chains during potential future pandemics.
