Moderna selected the Harwell Campus, a 700-acre science and technology campus in Oxfordshire, as its UK base for the development of future medicines, to be known as the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC). MITC will encompass a research and development centre and a drug development and manufacturing facility, providing the UK public with access to cutting-edge mRNA vaccines for a wide range of respiratory diseases, pending regulatory assessment and licensure. It will also include a clinical biomarker laboratory – a prefabricated modular laboratory constructed in Northumberland which will then be installed on the campus. Construction of MITC will begin this year, with the facility expected to become operational in 2025.
The Mishcon de Reya team was led by Lee Foxcroft, a Partner in the Real Estate department, with assistance from Associate Katie Hughes (Real Estate), Partner Anita Rivera and Associate Rebecca Gough (Planning) and Partner Jonathan Legg and Associate Jade Duggan (Tax).
Lee said: "Life sciences is rapidly building momentum in the real estate world with the amount of investment into the sector increasing year on year. It is an innovative and exciting sector to be involved in, and we are delighted to have advised Harwell Campus on this landmark development and pre-let."