Policy briefs
As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to rise, vaccines offer a powerful but underutilised way to prevent infections and reduce antibiotic use. Our brief, Vaccine Platform Technologies: A Strategic Investment in the Fight Against AMR, highlights the potential of modern vaccine platform technologies to overcome barriers to bacterial vaccine development and calls for AMR-focused vaccine innovation to be embedded within global pandemic preparedness and One Health efforts.
Our brief, Vaccines for all? Opportunities and challenges for vaccine-related technology, on vaccine technology transfers to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), was accepted as part of a call for science-policy briefs from the UN Interagency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (IATT). The policy brief informed discussions at the 9th MultiStakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum) in May 2024 and provided evidence-based perspectives to the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in July and the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024. The policy brief as published on the UN STI Forum website can be found here. A longer version of the policy brief, which includes more details about the interview findings that informed the brief, can be found here.
Responses to consultations and calls for evidence
Drawing on expertise from UCL Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) and VaxHub Global, we submitted evidence to the UK House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee’s inquiry on Multilateralism and the UK’s International Position. The evidence highlighted the growing importance of science diplomacy and the VaxHubs’ role in addressing global challenges, strengthening international partnerships, and supporting the UK’s engagement in multilateral institutions.
We submitted a VaxHub-led response to the UK Government Industrial Strategy consultation which made the case for increasing the UK’s medicines manufacturing capacity, including vaccines manufacturing, as a key subsector of UK Life Sciences. You can read our response in full here.
We responded to the call for evidence on Engineering Biology, part of a House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry that is scrutinising the UK government’s plans for engineering biology. This submission was accepted and published on the committee’s website. Our response shared a unique perspective on engineering biology by bringing together research expertise in vaccine design and manufacturing technologies, and bio-integrated design.
Reports
Coming soon
Other publications
In a Nature Biotechnology correspondence, researchers from UCL and the VaxHub network call for a shared language and minimum information standards for bioprocess development. The article argues that greater consistency in how bioprocess data are described, reported and shared will improve collaboration, reproducibility and innovation across the biomanufacturing sector. Read the correspondence in full here.
Complementing our consultation response to the UK Government Industrial strategy consultation, we published a joint position paper, Unlocking growth: the promise held by sustainable medicines manufacturing, which explores how the Government can create the optimum environment to unlock the potential of more sustainable medicines manufacturing through the new industrial strategy.
Inspired by attending ‘The Future of UK Manufacturing’ event, we wrote an article which shares key reflections on the fundamental role of manufacturing in building a thriving and resilient UK economy, inspired by attending ‘The Future of UK Manufacturing’ event. The event was organised by the EPSRC together with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge and brought together the manufacturing and research communities as well as policymakers to review the current UK manufacturing landscape and to look ahead to future research and innovation priorities and opportunities. Read the blog
Knowledge exchange events
We hosted the VaxHub Futures Forum on Pandemic Preparedness during UCL’s Festival of Engineering. The event brought together over 50 participants from academia, government, industry, funding and advisory bodies. It showcased both the VaxHub Global and VaxHub Sustainable vaccine manufacturing research and explored potential future scenarios for pandemic preparedness through the Futures Forum methodology. We also published a report which brings together insights that emerged from the discussions held during the event. Building on the insights from this report, we will continue to collaborate with policy and industry partners to explore and propose effective policy solutions for future pandemic preparedness.
Engaging with policymakers is a key part of ensuring our research delivers real-world impact. We have welcomed UK Government officials to the VaxHubs to showcase our cutting-edge vaccine research and manufacturing capabilities, providing opportunities to discuss how innovation can support national and global health priorities. These visits help strengthen links between researchers and policymakers, fostering dialogue that can inform future policy and investment decisions.
VaxHub Global and VaxHub Sustainable contributed to the ASEAN-UK Regional Training and Workshop on Engineering Biology, hosted at UCL in March 2025. Bringing together senior science and technology leaders from across ASEAN and the UK, the event explored how engineering biology can address global challenges, including vaccine preparedness, sustainable manufacturing and workforce development. VaxHub researchers shared insights on the role of innovation in strengthening global health security, while discussions with policymakers, industry leaders and academic experts helped foster international collaboration and support pathways for translating research into impact.
