Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) has secured a £10 million funding package to establish cutting-edge AI-powered robotic laboratories that will accelerate the development of treatments for deadly infectious diseases. The investment, part of the Liverpool City Region's Innovation Zone program, will create High Containment Level 3 laboratories capable of safely handling dangerous pathogens during the development and validation of potentially life-saving treatments.
The new facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art robotics, artificial intelligence, and liquid handling systems to advance research and development of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics for high-risk infectious diseases. Set to open in early 2027, the laboratories will build upon LSTM's existing infrastructure, which already houses the largest concentration of Containment Level 3 laboratories in the North West of England.
Enhancing Research Capabilities and Industry Collaboration
The new laboratories will significantly enhance LSTM's innovative human organoid research capabilities, utilizing sophisticated technologies to grow tissues that mimic different human organs. This approach allows for more accurate modeling of disease processes and treatment responses without relying solely on animal testing.
Professor Giancarlo Biagini, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at LSTM, emphasized the significance of this investment: "This combined £20 million initiative will accelerate the preclinical development of new therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics – strengthening the UK's position as a global leader in health innovation."
The total investment includes additional funding from UK Research and Innovation's Expanding Excellence in England (E3) fund and the Wolfson Foundation, creating a comprehensive package to establish this automated facility for developing advanced human infection models.
Economic Impact and Regional Growth
Beyond its scientific importance, the new facility is projected to generate substantial economic benefits for the Liverpool City Region. Forecasts suggest the robotic laboratories will attract £40 million in investment during the first three years of operation, creating well-paid jobs and driving research activities in the area.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram highlighted the strategic importance of the investment: "We saw during the pandemic just how vital our local life sciences sector is—not just to our region, but to the world. This investment will build on that legacy, helping to fast-track life-saving treatments while attracting new businesses, creating high-quality jobs, and keeping our brightest minds here in the Liverpool City Region."
Building on Pandemic Response Legacy
LSTM's laboratories played a crucial role in the rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the importance of advanced containment facilities for addressing global health emergencies. The new facility will enhance these capabilities, enabling researchers to work safely with a range of pathogens that cause serious human diseases.
The investment will also support the next phase of development for the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON), strengthening the infection innovation ecosystem between industry, academia, and the NHS to improve the discovery and market pathway for products targeting infectious diseases.
iiCON's Expanding Impact
Founded in 2020 with an £18.6 million government grant, iiCON has rapidly expanded into a £260 million program working with a global network of more than 1,000 organizations. The consortium has created hundreds of jobs and increased the Liverpool City Region's R&D infection spending by £1 billion.
Professor Janet Hemingway, founding director of iiCON, expressed enthusiasm about the new initiative: "By harnessing iiCON's extensive network of industry, academic, and clinical partners, we will ensure this cutting-edge facility is maximized to drive innovation and ultimately improve health outcomes."
Through enabling industry access to world-leading facilities and expertise, iiCON has already supported 36 new products to market, with more than 5 billion units of life-saving products and treatments reaching communities worldwide.
Regional Innovation Strategy
The laboratory project forms part of the 10-year Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone program, which is expected to attract up to £800 million in public and private investment and create 8,000 new skilled jobs in the region.
Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Innovation, Councillor Liam Robinson, described iiCON as "a superstar of Liverpool City Region innovation," noting that the investment "promises to speed up the discovery of new treatments which will drive jobs and prosperity in the city region, while making the world a safer place."
The establishment of these advanced laboratories reinforces Liverpool City Region's growing reputation as a global hub for infection innovation and health science research, positioning it at the forefront of efforts to combat emerging and high-consequence infectious diseases.
