Vaccine development and manufacture in Liverpool City Region

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to increased global interest in vaccines. The UK has proven itself to be a hub for vaccine innovation and manufacture.

Liverpool City Region’s established vaccine and biotech ecosystem with research, digital and clinical capabilities offers companies access to expertise and regulators and a launchpad into the vaccines industry.

Sector and market opportunity

Vaccinations have made an enormous contribution to global health and Liverpool City Region is set to further revolutionise healthcare with its thriving vaccines sector.

Drawing on the best of research, workforce, innovation and digital infrastructure, companies in the region will be able to develop and validate new vaccines and vaccine technologies.

This is an opportunity to access world-class disease and vaccines research, trial new vaccines in a highly connected, collaborative environment, and tap into a flexible manufacturing ecosystem and supply chain.

Growth prospects

The global vaccines market size is expected to reach £77 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 10.7% over the forecast period (2021 to 2028).

This growth is being driven by the rising prevalence of infectious diseases, which has seen an increase in government funding for vaccine production and more strategic emphasis on immunisation.

Location

The region is part of the Liverpool-Manchester life sciences corridor, which is one of the UK’s top 3 clusters of biomedical activity.

The Liverpool Knowledge Quarter is at the heart of the action, being home to the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Other key innovation assets in the area include Sci-Tech Daresbury and The Heath, a multi-occupancy business and science park.

Connectivity

You can fly to over 200 global destinations via Liverpool and Manchester airports.

The port of Liverpool is a imprtant asset in the area, providing global shipping routes. The River Mersey has one of the UK’s largest ports, one that’s relied upon by the 5 largest global shipping carriers.

One of only 8 freeports in England, the Liverpool City Region combines geographic, operational, financial and commercial advantages that makes it uniquely well-suited to driving business growth, innovation and collaboration.

Local talent and skills

A central geographical location puts Liverpool City Region at the heart of the northern labour market, giving business access to one of Europe’s largest commuter workforces.

There are over 111,000 students at local universities and 35,000 graduates with degrees in courses relevant to the vaccines and biotechnology sector.

Liverpool City Region’s Careers Hub links education with work, by connecting local schools and colleges with business in the region.

Research and expertise

Be part of a pioneering cluster and collaborate with experts at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the University of Liverpool.

Liverpool John Moores University is home to the Centre for Natural Product Discovery, which investigates key aspects of natural products and their pharmaceutical prospects.

The Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON) is a leading global centre for infectious disease R&D bringing together industry, academia and the National Health Service (NHS).

Local and national government support

The Life Sciences Vision sets out a 10-year strategy to build on the UK’s historical success in vaccines and immunology, the underlying excellence of the UK science base, and scale and potential of the NHS.

Locally, the Growth Platform’s Inward Investment Service offers a full suite of services including commercial property and relocation advice, access to soft-landing packages, guidance on financial incentives and account management.