Factory to boost jobs as part of Covid-19 vaccine deal

A factory in West Lothian is expanding as part of a deal to secure 60 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine candidate.

The UK Government and French drugs firm Valneva are investing in the Livingston plant, with 75 new jobs expected to be created.

The Government had struck a deal for early access to Valneva’s “promising” vaccine candidate.

If clinical trials are successful, the site could provide up to 100 million doses of the vaccine across the UK and internationally.

Business secretary Alok Sharma will visit the factory on Wednesday to hear about plans to scale-up production.

Valneva’s vaccine, which is called VLA2001, is one of four potential vaccines which the Government has secured rights for.

Sharma said: “I’m incredibly grateful to our highly-skilled scientists and technicians in Livingston who are supporting the global effort to research, develop and manufacture a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine.

“The multimillion-pound upfront investment we have agreed with Valneva today means that their vaccine can be manufactured in quantity right here in Scotland.

“If clinical trials are successful, millions of people in priority groups across the UK will be protected by their life-saving vaccine.”

Valneva said the final supply agreement would be concluded in the coming weeks.