An attempt is being made to tackle ‘Disease X’ and other unknown threats of the future by developing a unit of new vaccine. This unit has opened at the high-security Porton Down laboratories.
More than 200 scientists will be housed on the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre in Wiltshire. These scientists will support the development of vaccines that are to protect against threats such as avian influenza, Mpox and Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever.
The unit, which is operated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), is created to support the global “100 Days Mission” on vaccines, which intends to develop prototype vaccines for all significant viral diseases in advance of a new outbreak.
Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has said that with the establishment of this new institution, the UK will continue to lead the world in the development of vaccines, scientific research, and pandemic preparedness.
The recently developing complex will help in delivering the commitment of producing new vaccines within 100 days of identifying a new threat. A small group of reporters from The Telegraph was shown around the new 2,800 square metre facility.
The facility is situated at the UKHSA’s Porton Down site and is co-located with other high security facilities like the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
The development of new vaccines are tested and evaluated against potential threats that can cause health emergencies, and is supported by the unit’s work.
With a focus on the viruses that seem to be the clearest danger at present, there are more than 100 separate projects underway.
Dr Bassam Hallis, the UKHSA’s Porton Down deputy director says that the need of the UK is always their priority. He also says that currently it is the H5N1 avian influenza for which a new vaccine for humans is required.
H5N1, popularly known as the bird flu, has killed tens of millions of farmed and wild birds around the world. It has recently impacted a wide range of mammals which includes foxes, mink, sea lions, dolphins and even domestic cats.
The virus has not, so far, gained the ability to spread from human to human, though there have been isolated cases of H5N1 humans, including four poultry workers in the UK.
According to Dr Hallis, tools are under preparation that would be needed if the virus starts transmitting from person to person.
Lassa fever and Nipah are on the World Health’s Organization’s list of pathogens that have the potential of causing pandemic. There are no pharmaceutical countermeasures for these viruses and the unit has given priority to these other vaccines.
Clinical trials are underway by the centre against Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever which is a tick-borne virus with a case fatality rate of almost 30 per cent. This could be a world-first vaccine against the fever.
The virus is now established in parts of Africa and Asia and is emerging as a significant threat in Europe, partly due to the increasing prevalence of ticks.
In recent years, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has intensified its monitoring of pathogens carried by vectors like ticks and mosquitoes, prompted by rising average temperatures.
Prof Dame Jenny Harries, the CEO of UKHSA, pointed out that climate change and urbanization are amplifying the risks. She emphasized that the newly established Vaccine Development and Emerging Diseases Centre (VDEC) aims to not only address the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic but also target various deadly viruses and pathogens, safeguarding public health in the UK and globally.
The most recent update of the UK National Risk Register, issued by the Cabinet Office, identifies another pandemic as one of the most substantial risks in terms of both likelihood and impact. The construction of the VDEC facility at Porton Down, located in the countryside of Wiltshire, is a response to this assessment.
Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Officer of UKHSA, stressed the vital role of VDEC in the 100 Days Mission, an initiative to enhance global preparedness for future pandemics by accelerating the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
The new unit at Porton Down possesses high-security “Level Four” laboratories, with only a select group of UKHSA scientists authorized to work within them. The facility is fortified with chain-link fences topped with barbed wire, comprehensive CCTV surveillance, and sterile white walls adorned with red hazard signs.
Inside the facility, scientists in protective gear were observed working diligently. This same team had previously sequenced samples related to Lassa Fever cases in the UK, emphasizing the pandemic potential of the arenavirus family, which includes Lassa.
Scientists at Porton Down are actively developing tests (assays) for various arenaviruses to enhance diagnosis, contact tracing, and vaccine design for potential future outbreaks.
In a Level Three laboratory, researchers were seen analyzing samples of XBB166, a new Covid-19 variant prevalent in the UK. The lab’s equipment is humorously named after Star Wars characters, a lighthearted touch in an otherwise intense environment.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the number of scientists working on vaccines at the UKHSA’s Porton Down site has increased by 50%, aided by advanced technology. The facility’s testing capacity has expanded from 100 to 3,000 blood samples per week, significantly enhancing the government’s ability to make informed decisions during a pandemic.
Dr. Hallis, a scientist at Porton Down, expressed optimism about the role of AI in speeding up virus mutation identification and the repurposing of antivirals and therapeutics for future pandemics.
The new facility is aligned with the global “100 day mission,” an initiative aiming to develop effective vaccines within 100 days of a new outbreak, regardless of the pathogen.
Prof Dame Harries believes that the UK is now better prepared for another pandemic compared to the past. Dr. Hallis added that the UK’s expertise and facilities are significant compared to Europe, and even the US seeks collaboration due to the strength of the UK’s capabilities. However, Dr. Oliver emphasized the need to maintain these capabilities and collaborate with external partners and academics, considering limited government resources.
Get live Share Market updates, Stock Market Quotes, and the latest India News and business news on Financial Express. Download the Financial Express App for the latest finance news.