On Jul. 17, 2025, a new world-leading biosecurity centre in Essex has been announced that will protect the UK from emerging public health threats and boost economic growth. A world-leading biosecurity centre in Harlow, Essex will be established to protect the UK against emerging public health threats.

The multi-billion-pound government investment will make national biosecurity centre (NBC) the largest of its kind in Europe. The centre will create around 1,600 new jobs to support construction and enhance collaboration between scientists and the life sciences sector.

The investment is part of a series of ways in which this government is making the UK a life sciences powerhouse to improve access to life-changing and innovative treatments for patients, as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan. This follows the launch of a new digital hub for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in Leeds to ensure that life-saving healthcare innovations reach patients faster.

The NBC will create exciting new partnerships between UKHSA scientists and industry – paving the way for potential research breakthroughs, including in the realm of infectious diseases, environmental health and behavioural sciences. Harlow will deliver state-of-the-art highly secure laboratories that will be used to research the most dangerous and new diseases.

The decision to open the new site in Harlow was made following an extensive review of the best ways to deliver the specialist laboratories that the UK needs, including the possibility of redeveloping existing sites.