BioNTech’s investment provides a template for UK growth, say ABPI

The innovative biopharmaceutical company BioNTech has announced a major investment of up to £1bn over 10 years in the UK, potentially creating more than 400 new jobs in London and Cambridge.

The latest expansion of BioNTech’s presence in the UK builds on the company’s longstanding, positive strategic relationship and experience of later-stage cancer research and development in the UK. The research will focus on genomics, oncology, infectious disease vaccines, structural biology, regenerative medicine and AI.

Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the ABPI, said: “This investment is a testament to the fantastic skills, research capabilities, and scientific infrastructure we have in the UK. It is also a template for how the UK could unlock further life science sector growth by removing the barriers and roadblocks to investment.

“Big investments like this are years in the making and require both sides to have confidence that the other will deliver on their commitments. Trust is slow to build, but this deal shows it is worth the time and the risk.

“Life science companies are already the largest investors in UK R&D – but much of this comes from a handful of companies with deep UK roots. The UK has an opportunity to capture more of the global science pie if we can improve our competitive offering to the sector.”