Coronavirus in Scotland: Livingston firm Valneva signs deal with UK Government for up to 190 million Covid-19 vaccine doses

The UK Government has spent almost half a billion Euros securing access to the vaccine doses.

A company with a base in Livingston has signed a deal with the UK Government to produce up to 190 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

French-owned Valneva SE will produce 60 million doses of the drug VLA2001 in the second half of 2021 - if the vaccine development is successful.

The UK Government, which forked out €470 million for the supply, will then have the option to buy a further 40 million doses in 2022, and between 30 and 90 million across 2023 to 2025.

A company with a base in Livingston has signed a deal with the UK Government to produce up to 190 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Ministers have also agreed to invest in Valneva’s manufacturing plant in Livingston to help scale up production.

The company said it expected revenues from the deal to amount to nearly €900 million.

Valneva’s inactivated Covid-19 vaccine is expected to have a two dose regimen.

The agreement follows the initial intent to participate in the UK Government’s COVID-19 vaccine response announced in July.

French engineer-virologist Thomas Mollet looks at 24 well plates adherent cells monolayer infected with a Sars-CoV-2 virus at the Biosafety level 3 laboratory (BSL3) of the Valneva SE Group headquarters in Saint-Herblain, near Nantes, western France, on July 30, 2020. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images)

Thomas Lingelbach, Valneva CEO, called the deal “transformational”.

“We made the early decision to choose a proven and well-established inactivated vaccine approach which is further validated by this partnership,” he said.

“We are honoured to have been chosen by the UK Government and are eager to partner with them to address this terrible ongoing pandemic.

“This is another transformational step for Valneva following the Lyme partnership we signed earlier this year and our chikungunya vaccine commencing Phase 3 clinical studies last week.”

U.K. Business Secretary Alok Sharma, said, “Having visited Valneva just last month, I have seen first-hand the incredible work they are doing to develop and manufacture a Covid-19 vaccine." (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

U.K. Business Secretary Alok Sharma, said, “Having visited Valneva just last month, I have seen first-hand the incredible work they are doing to develop and manufacture a Covid-19 vaccine.

“This new agreement could help us vaccinate millions of people across the country, as well as help create a UK vaccine manufacturing facility to speed up access to a potential Covid-19 candidate and boost the country’s resilience against future pandemics.”

David Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer of Valneva, said “I’d like to acknowledge the contributions of the UK Government task force and colleagues as well as other stakeholders including West Lothian, Scottish and UK politicians who are supporting the ongoing work.

“We see a fantastic spirit across all stakeholders to make this partnership succeed.”

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