Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The Government has announced £65.5 million of new funding for the vaccine being developed at the Oxford Vaccine Group as coronavirus vaccine trials accelerate.

The funding announcement follows a global licensing agreement between Oxford University and AstraZeneca, the UK-based pharmaceutical company, for the commercialisation and manufacturing of their potential vaccine.

This means that, if the Oxford vaccine is successful, AstraZeneca will deliver 100 million doses in total worldwide.

Professor Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, said: ‘The University of Oxford is immensely proud of the scientists at the Jenner Institute and the Oxford Vaccine Group who have worked tirelessly to discover and develop this vaccine in record time. We now have a partner in AstraZeneca who are ideally positioned to help us evaluate the vaccine, manufacture it and distribute it to UK citizens as well as to the rest of the world. They share our commitment to true global access to end this pandemic.’

Dr. Alexander Douglas, the leader of the research group at Oxford which has developed the manufacturing method, said: 'We have been preparing for large-scale manufacturing of our vaccine candidate since February. This funding enables manufacturing to start immediately, and so will make vaccine available as soon as possible, while adhering to the most stringent safety standards. The methods developed here in the UK will also enable the production of vaccine for other countries.'

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: 'Our scientists are at the forefront of vaccine development. This deal with AstraZeneca means that if the Oxford University vaccine works, people in the UK will get the first access to it, helping to protect thousands of lives.

'The agreement will deliver 100 million doses in total, ensuring that in addition to supporting our own people, we are able to make the vaccines available to developing countries at the lowest possible cost.

'The UK continues to lead the global response to find a vaccine, and the government is backing our scientists to do this as quickly as possible.'

Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, said: ‘AstraZeneca is at the forefront of the response to COVID-19, and we are proud to be working with Oxford University to help make this vaccine available as quickly as possible. I would like to thank HM Government for its commitment to the vaccine and welcome its leadership and generosity for its help in expanding access beyond the UK. Our company is working hard to establish parallel supply agreements with other nations and multilateral organisations to ensure fair and equitable access around the world.’

Similar stories

New survey launched to explore the acceptability of the Gonococcal Controlled Human Infection Model in UK men.

Researchers at the University of Oxford have launched a new mixed methods study to explore the acceptability of the Gonococcal Controlled Human Infection Model (GC-CHIM) in UK men.

Oxford Ebola vaccine manufactured and shipped in record time by SII

More than 40,000 doses of Oxford’s Ebola vaccine have been manufactured by SII (Serum Institute of India) in just 60 days and doses shipped to Uganda.

From running COVID-19 trials to researching respiratory diseases - Daniela Ferreira discusses her journey from Brazil to Oxford

Daniela Ferreira, Professor of Mucosal Immunity and Infection at the Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, has so much enthusiasm for her work on respiratory infections and vaccinology, you would be very hard-pressed not to want her to succeed

It’s not just Covid: the triple threat that could overwhelm the NHS this winter - Andrew Pollard

A severe flu outbreak or new coronavirus variant could prove catastrophic for a health service already on its knees

Novel all-in-one vaccine developed to tackle future coronavirus threats

Up to $30 million in funding has been announced by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to bring a new nanoparticle vaccine offering protection against a range of coronaviruses to clinical trial.

Com-COV vaccine study to research third dose booster options for 12-to-15-year-olds

Researchers running the University of Oxford-led Com-COV programme have launched a further study of COVID-19 vaccination schedules in young people aged 12 to 15 – with a focus on assessing different options for a third dose booster vaccination.