Jessica O'ConnorAn investment of up to £1bn into the UK by biopharmaceutical company BioNTech is set to create 400 skilled jobs and research centres aimed at making new advances in medical science.
BioNTech will invest in the UK over the course of the next 10 years as part of an ambitious plan to expand their presence in the country.
That will see them create two new research and development (R&D) hubs, the first to be based in Cambridge, as well as an artificial intelligence (AI) hub to be based at BioNTech’s planned UK headquarters in London.
These are planned to create more than 400 new highly skilled jobs over the next 10 years, including researchers in clinical and scientific drug development, bioinformatics, and a range of supporting functions.
Indirectly, the investment is also likely to create a substantial number of additional jobs in the supply chain.
BioNTech are the pioneering company behind mRNA vaccines and cancer immunotherapies notably used to tackle Covid-19, and more recently trialled to help patients with cancer.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “This investment will propel the growth-driving life sciences sector to new heights, delivering cutting-edge facilities, building careers in the future-facing jobs we want our children to have, and ultimately unlocking progress in medical science that could save lives.
“This is a clear indication of how we will deliver the government’s Plan for Change: working together with the best and brightest businesses and innovators to unlock their potential, and then reap the benefits for the economy, health and more that their drive and genius can deliver.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “This is another testament to confidence in Britain being one of the world’s top investment destinations and a global hub for life sciences.
“It will create hundreds of high-skilled, well-paid jobs, as we deliver on our promise to put more money in working people’s pockets through our Plan for Change.”
Uğur Şahin, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, said: “This agreement marks the next chapter of our successful strategic partnership with the UK Government.
“Together, we have already made a meaningful difference in expanding access to investigational personalised cancer therapies for patients.
“Now, we are taking the next step to accelerate and broaden our research and development efforts advancing towards our vision to translate science into survival for patients.”
