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<p>VMIC was a project set up in the 2017 Life Sciences Sector Deal to support UK leadership
in next generation vaccine manufacturing technology. The pandemic has dramatically
accelerated both the demand and the technology of vaccine production since VMIC was
established. The Government has invested over £380 million to secure and scale-up
the UK’s manufacturing capabilities to be able to respond to this pandemic, as well
as any future pandemics, and in support of vaccine innovation at numerous facilities
across the UK. Our positive engagement with industry and the UK’s strong science base
and international reputation has also seen a number of private investments across
the whole of the UK announced over the past year. These include Serum Institute of
India’s £50m investment into Oxford Biomedica, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s £70m expansion
of its Swindon site and Fujifilm’s £400m investment into its Billingham, Teesside
facility.</p><p>One such facility that the Government provided support to is the Vaccine
Manufacturing Innovation Centre (VMIC) which has the potential to be a significant
part of the UK vaccine manufacturing ecosystem. VMIC is a private company, limited
by guarantee, and as such the UK Government does not exercise any ownership rights.</p><p>Officials
are working closely with VMIC and other third parties to ensure that the UK retains
a strong domestic vaccine manufacturing capability to contribute to our response to
COVID-19 and resilience to other future health emergencies. We will ensure that the
UK’s vaccine capabilities continue to benefit from the public investment. Discussions
are commercially sensitive between VMIC and private potential acquirers.</p>
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