Billingham biotech manufacturer to be UK's only coronavirus vaccine producer

A North East manufacturer has been selected as the only site to produce a coronavirus vaccine.

Following discussions with Billingham-based Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies and Government ministers, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has announced that millions of doses of a coronavirus vaccine could be produced in Teesside in the coming months.

Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies will be the only manufacturing site of the vaccine across the whole of the UK.

This follows the recent announcement that Fujifilm is currently building a new BioCampus at its Billingham site.

The agreement will see up to 60 million doses of the vaccine produced in Teesside if the clinical trials prove to be successful and the vaccine is approved for wider use.

Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It has been fantastic to work with Fujifilm to ensure the government has reached this agreement with them.

“They are doing fantastic work in our hugely important bioscience sector, creating the skilled jobs we need and leading the way on innovation, and there’s no bigger project across the world right now than creating and manufacturing a coronavirus vaccine.

“This will be the only place in the whole country where this vaccine will be manufactured, and it will be done in Teesside. It is a fantastic coup for our area and shows once again the potential and the talent we have in the region.

“We’ve heard a lot of stories about local businesses and research organisations across the region working hard to support the national effort on coronavirus, and this is the most significant step yet.

“Once again Teesside is leading the way and putting itself on the world stage for the fantastic work we do in our region. This is a significant announcement that everyone in Teesside should be proud of as we are at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to get life back to normal and protect us all from the coronavirus.”