<-- Back to proposed bills
Business Update
20 October 2020
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The Minister is announcing new initiatives by the Vaccine Taskforce to speed up the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine through human challenge trials.
Action Requested
The Government is establishing human challenge trials for possible COVID-19 vaccines, investing £33.6m in a virus characterisation study and £19.7m in Public Health England's laboratories at Porton Down to monitor vaccine effectiveness.
Key Facts
- The UK is establishing human challenge trials for possible COVID-19 vaccines.
- A partnership between Imperial College London, the Royal Free London Hospital’s research unit, and hVIVO will conduct virus characterisation studies with £33.6m in funding.
- Studies are expected to start in January 2021 with results by May 2021.
- Public Health England is receiving £19.7m to expand state-of-the-art laboratories at Porton Down for vaccine testing.
- Testing will support the development and regulatory approval of vaccine candidates.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy