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

A SCOTS firm has signed a deal with UK Government for up to 190 million Covid-19 vaccine doses.

French company Valneva, based in Livingston, will make 60 million doses of the drug VLA2001 in 2021 - so long as the vaccine development is successful.

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The deal will run for the next three years, as the Government also agreed to invest in the firm’s manufacturing factory in West Lothian to help the rate of production.

The UK Government has spent over €470 million for the supply.

They will then have the option to buy a further 40 million doses in 2022, and between 30 and 90 million from 2023 to 2025.

It is expected Valneva's earnings from the contract will amount to around €900 million.

The coronavirus vaccine is believed to have a two-dose regimen.

Thomas Lingelbach, Valneva CEO said: “We made the early decision to choose a proven and well-established inactivated vaccine approach which is further validated by this partnership.

“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.”

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.”

Alok Sharma, UK Business Secretary, added: “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.”