{"id":58864,"date":"2025-07-17T13:20:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T13:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/new-national-biosecurity-centre-in-harlow-aims-to-fight-pandemics\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T13:20:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T13:20:35","slug":"new-national-biosecurity-centre-in-harlow-aims-to-fight-pandemics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/new-national-biosecurity-centre-in-harlow-aims-to-fight-pandemics\/","title":{"rendered":"New National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow aims to fight pandemics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new\" class=\"sc-801dd632-0 eSlECZ\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new-contributors\" class=\"sc-801dd632-12 jSIeFi\">\n<div class=\"sc-801dd632-5 kRoBHa\">\n<div><span class=\"sc-801dd632-7 lasLGY\">Danny Fullbrook<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>BBC News, Essex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gyQxwn\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-d1200759-1 kycbVO\"><img sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/5fb1\/live\/24140410-62f0-11f0-9af5-ebd4b3001234.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/5fb1\/live\/24140410-62f0-11f0-9af5-ebd4b3001234.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/5fb1\/live\/24140410-62f0-11f0-9af5-ebd4b3001234.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/5fb1\/live\/24140410-62f0-11f0-9af5-ebd4b3001234.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/5fb1\/live\/24140410-62f0-11f0-9af5-ebd4b3001234.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/5fb1\/live\/24140410-62f0-11f0-9af5-ebd4b3001234.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/5fb1\/live\/24140410-62f0-11f0-9af5-ebd4b3001234.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/5fb1\/live\/24140410-62f0-11f0-9af5-ebd4b3001234.jpg.webp\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Getty Images Laboratory worker in blue protective clothing and white gloves working with lab equipment and containers on the workbench\" class=\"sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj\"\/><span class=\"sc-d1200759-2 gwFzuU\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 FPsqq\">The centre is expected to open fully in 2038<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">A new science centre is being built which aims to help protect the UK from future pandemics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The government has pledged a &#8220;multi-billion-pound&#8221; investment to make the National Biosecurity Centre (NBC) in Harlow, Essex, the largest of its kind in Europe by bringing the UK Health Security Agency&#8217;s existing centres in London and Wiltshire to one site.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The agency&#8217;s scientists  research pathogens and boost vaccine production in an attempt to prepare for potential global disease threats. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Visiting Harlow, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: &#8220;Covid-19 taught us how crucial it is to be able to respond quickly to new emerging threats and the new NBC will allow us to do exactly that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The government said the UKHSA would continue operating from Colindale in north-west London and Porton Down in Wiltshire until the new centre in Harlow was fully up and running, to ensure a safe and effective transition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 hoQmHM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-d1200759-1 kycbVO\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250711-084946-a521911844-web-2.25.0-9\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-d1200759-0 dkIvM hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/5548\/live\/a64c7620-62ef-11f0-b903-f515e3045d80.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/5548\/live\/a64c7620-62ef-11f0-b903-f515e3045d80.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/5548\/live\/a64c7620-62ef-11f0-b903-f515e3045d80.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/5548\/live\/a64c7620-62ef-11f0-b903-f515e3045d80.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/5548\/live\/a64c7620-62ef-11f0-b903-f515e3045d80.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/5548\/live\/a64c7620-62ef-11f0-b903-f515e3045d80.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/5548\/live\/a64c7620-62ef-11f0-b903-f515e3045d80.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/5548\/live\/a64c7620-62ef-11f0-b903-f515e3045d80.jpg.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ben Schofield\/BBC Wes Streeting and a group of people in formal attire are standing in an unfinished building, with concrete wall in the background and visible construction materials\" class=\"sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj\"\/><span class=\"sc-d1200759-2 gwFzuU\">Ben Schofield\/BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 FPsqq\">Wes Streeting toured the site which will become the National Biosecurity Centre<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">About 1,600 jobs will be created to support construction of the Harlow site and it would enable closer collaboration between scientists, the government said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The first facilities are expected to open by the mid-2030s with the site fully operational by 2038.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;Harlow will become a scientific hub, with the National Biosecurity Centre exploring new ways to treat illnesses, improve people&#8217;s health and save more lives,&#8221; said Streeting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;By backing innovation, research and life sciences, we will make our NHS fit for the future, and cement the UK as a life sciences superpower.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The government said &#8220;of the total multi-billion investment in the centre, \u00a3250m will be spent by the government over this Parliament alone to kickstart delivery&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;The exact total amount of funding for the centre will be confirmed in due course,&#8221; a spokesperson added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 hoQmHM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-d1200759-1 kycbVO\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250711-084946-a521911844-web-2.25.0-9\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-d1200759-0 dkIvM hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/03b3\/live\/51f3ca50-62f0-11f0-83d2-4f671b8c1523.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/03b3\/live\/51f3ca50-62f0-11f0-83d2-4f671b8c1523.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/03b3\/live\/51f3ca50-62f0-11f0-83d2-4f671b8c1523.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/03b3\/live\/51f3ca50-62f0-11f0-83d2-4f671b8c1523.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/03b3\/live\/51f3ca50-62f0-11f0-83d2-4f671b8c1523.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/03b3\/live\/51f3ca50-62f0-11f0-83d2-4f671b8c1523.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/03b3\/live\/51f3ca50-62f0-11f0-83d2-4f671b8c1523.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/03b3\/live\/51f3ca50-62f0-11f0-83d2-4f671b8c1523.jpg.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ben Schofield\/BBC Modern multi-story building with glass windows, the ground floor us under construction with boarded-up sections.\" class=\"sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj\"\/><span class=\"sc-d1200759-2 gwFzuU\">Ben Schofield\/BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 FPsqq\">The centre will be built a the UK Health Security Agency&#8217;s site on Coldharbour Road in Harlow<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">It was hoped the NBC would create partnerships between scientists in the industry and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to pursue new breakthroughs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The Harlow site would have laboratories that would be used to study dangerous and new diseases.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Dyfed Alsop, interim UKHSA chief executive, said: &#8220;This is fantastic news for the UK and will mean that we can continue to offer the best possible protection for people&#8217;s health for generations to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The announcement follows <a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c4g27w05g0xo\" class=\"sc-f9178328-0 bGFWdi\" rel=\"noopener\">a government pledge to spend \u00a31bn upgrading a centre that researches animal diseases<\/a> in Weybridge, Surrey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory site at Porton Down was not affected by this new development and would remain operational.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/ckg34g99xwmo\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Danny Fullbrook BBC News, Essex Getty Images The centre is expected to open fully in 2038 A new science centre is being built which aims to help protect the UK from future pandemics. The government has pledged a &#8220;multi-billion-pound&#8221; investment to make the National Biosecurity Centre (NBC) in Harlow, Essex, the largest of its kind [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":58865,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[64],"tags":[180,17879,579,521,1587,476,10519],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58864"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58864"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58864\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58866,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58864\/revisions\/58866"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}