BioNTech commits US$1.33B to UK R&D, backed by government grant

GERMANY—German vaccine maker BioNTech has announced a major expansion of its research and development (R&D) activities in the United Kingdom, committing to invest up to £1 billion (US$1.33 billion) over the next decade.

This significant investment is supported by a UK government grant of up to £129 million (US$172 million), marking one of the largest grants ever awarded to a pharmaceutical company in the UK.

This new agreement builds on a multi-year partnership between BioNTech and the UK government that began in January 2023.

The collaboration focuses on three strategic areas: accelerating clinical trials for BioNTech’s oncology pipeline, expanding the company’s R&D footprint in the UK, and advancing research in regenerative medicine, infectious disease vaccines, and structural biology.

As part of this plan, BioNTech will establish two new R&D centres.

The first will be located in Cambridge and is set to focus on oncology, genomics, structural biology, and regenerative medicine, employing more than 90 scientists.

 The second centre is currently in the planning stages

In addition, BioNTech will consolidate its UK headquarters in London, merging its existing offices with its AI-focused subsidiary, InstaDeep, which specializes in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

 This AI hub will play a crucial role in enhancing BioNTech’s medical research capabilities by applying AI-driven approaches to disease understanding, drug target selection, and predictive analytics.

BioNTech’s co-founder and CEO, Uğur Şahin, emphasized that this agreement represents the next phase of their successful partnership with the UK government.

 He highlighted their shared commitment to expanding access to personalized cancer therapies and accelerating research efforts to translate scientific discoveries into life-saving treatments for patients.

The UK government views this investment as a strategic move to strengthen its life sciences sector, create highly skilled jobs, and promote innovation in medical science.

The initiative is expected to generate over 400 new skilled jobs in the UK over the next ten years and aims to enroll up to 10,000 patients in clinical trials for personalized cancer immunotherapies by 2030.

Furthermore, in July 2024, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorized Pfizer-BioNTech’s adapted Comirnaty vaccine for the JN.1 Covid-19 subvariant, underscoring BioNTech’s ongoing role in addressing infectious diseases alongside its cancer research.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and beyond. Also, follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.