On Aug. 7, 2023, the United Kingdom Health and Security Agency announced the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC), which will facilitate the development and evaluation of new vaccines and therapeutics.

The creation of the centre, in over 2,800 square meters of laboratory space at Porton Down, is a major part of UKHSA’s 3-year strategy and incorporates over 200 leading scientists working on around 100 wide-ranging projects, including tackling deadly pathogens with pandemic potential.