A £20m robotic, AI lab opens today, with the goal of accelerating drug and vaccine discovery, and phasing out animal testing.
Developed by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Infection Innovation Consortium: iiCON, the Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory is set to generate £40m of investment in its first 3 years.
The first of its kind in the UK, it will open to industry and academics to develop innovative new treatments using human organoids, which provide a more accurate indication of the impact of new treatments than tests based on animals.
“Research using human organoids is at the cutting-edge of infection R&D – moving drug discovery away from animal testing and offering new ways of shaping more targeted treatments to respond to some of our most challenging infections,” said Professor Janet Hemingway, Founding Director of iiCON.
“As industry responds to changing regulatory pathways, we are offering an advanced platform for pioneering experimental R&D through the development of advanced organoid models. This will support commercial innovation and accelerate the discovery and development of a new generation of drugs and vaccines. We are interested in working with companies from start-ups through to multinationals.
“A central pillar of the Liverpool City Region’s Life Sciences Innovation Zone, this facility strengthens the region’s position as a global hub for infection and reinforces iiCON and LSTM’s commitment to fostering impactful collaborations, supporting industry, and creating high-value jobs – ensuring this facility delivers real-world impact for patients, communities, and the wider economy.”
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The secure Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory is fitted with state-of-the-art liquid handling systems, robotics, and AI. It also meets Schedule Five biohazard security requirements, meaning it is ready for the safe handling of dangerous pathogens.
It has been developed as a high-security, steel-clad facility that responds to forthcoming changes in the Terrorism Act – making it a “key UK biosecurity asset.”
The Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory is supported by £10m in Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone funding.
“Liverpool has been leading the fight against infectious diseases for generations, and this new facility will help keep us at the cutting edge,” said Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram.
“We’re bringing together AI, robotics and world-class research into one place, which means we can develop new drugs and vaccines faster, save lives and reduce the need for animal testing.
“This is exactly the kind of investment our Life Sciences Innovation Zone was designed to deliver, creating good jobs, attracting further investment and cementing our position as a global leader in infection innovation.”
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Professor Giancarlo Biagini, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at LSTM, added:
“The Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory is an advanced facility that builds on years of pioneering organoid research at LSTM and partner organisations. It harnesses the potential held by this exciting technology to accelerate the development of advanced human infection models for emerging and high-consequence diseases.
“By incorporating machine learning, AI, and robotics in a highly secure Category 3 facility, we are automating the development and commercialisation of these advanced organoid models, to expand the scale and speed of infectious disease R&D while delivering precision and reproducibility.
“This programme aligns with our regional commitment to driving health innovation and regional prosperity, ensuring that the Liverpool City Region remains at the forefront of health science innovation and impact.”
