The facility will deal with activities throughout the lifecycle of a vaccine, from product design to assessment of effectiveness. Credit: Mongkolchon Akesin / Shutterstock.com.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has opened a vaccine development and evaluation centre (VDEC) to globally bolster pandemic preparedness.

Located at the Porton Down site of the UKHSA, the facility is spread over 2,800m² of laboratory space.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The centre will have more than 200 scientists, who will work on almost 100 projects.

VDEC will facilitate the development of new vaccines by testing and assessing them against a range of threats that can lead to a health emergency. 

The facility will operate throughout the vaccine lifecycle, from product design to the assessment of effectiveness with the emergence of new variants.

The key focus will be on pathogens for which there currently exist no vaccines, or for which vaccines are not regulated in the UK, including avian influenza and monkeypox.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

VDEC is said to be capable of delivering new vaccines within 100 days of detecting a new threat.

UKHSA chief executive professor Dame Jenny Harries stated: “VDEC is a unique facility in the UK, delivering multiple critical early pre and post-clinical research and evaluation studies in a single research facility. 

“This essential work will lead the way over the coming years in our fight against potentially deadly pathogens, further enhancing the UK’s credentials as a global science superpower.

“As well as building on the legacy of the pandemic caused by Covid-19, VDEC will target a wide range of other deadly viruses and pathogens, helping to secure the health and prosperity of the UK and saving lives around the world.”

This content was updated on 25 January 2024