Britain’s Bet On Better RNA Factories

As saRNA advances in 2026, CPI’s RNA infrastructure is reinforcing the UK’s role in Europe’s evolving vaccine manufacturing landscape

11 Feb 2026

In the scramble to perfect new vaccines, scientific flair long stole the limelight. By 2026, however, the advantage may belong less to the clever chemist than to the careful manufacturer. As self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) edges towards broader use, the contest is moving from discovery to delivery.

SaRNA differs from conventional mRNA in a crucial way: it replicates within host cells. That allows lower doses while preserving strong immune responses. The implications for factories are significant. Smaller doses mean more shots per batch, lower costs and quicker responses in an emergency. For platforms meant to pivot rapidly against new pathogens, such efficiencies are not trivial.

Britain hopes to capitalise. The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), through its RNA Centre of Excellence opened in 2023, has positioned itself as a bridge between research and regulated production. The facility offers process development and GMP-grade infrastructure for vaccine and therapeutic programmes. As developers move from laboratory material to mid- and late-stage clinical supply, such integrated capabilities, combining scale-up, analytics and regulatory compliance, are becoming essential.

This is part of a broader European effort to rebuild domestic biomanufacturing after the pandemic exposed frailties. The British government has channelled funds into advanced manufacturing and vaccine resilience. Firms such as BioNTech and Moderna have announced expanded production plans across the UK and the European Union. Capacity is growing, but so is competition.

Scaling saRNA is not straightforward. Larger runs must preserve purity and sequence fidelity while ensuring batch-to-batch consistency. Raw materials need secure supply; processes must be intensified without cutting corners. Regulators demand meticulous documentation. Each step adds complexity, time and cost.

The central question is shifting. It is no longer merely who can design the next RNA vaccine, but who can produce it reliably at clinical and commercial scale within strict regulatory frameworks. Infrastructure built in the wake of covid-19 is now being tested.

For Britain, and for Europe more broadly, the opportunity is clear but not guaranteed. In vaccines, as in much else, ideas matter. Increasingly, so do factories.