Evaluation of the UK Vaccine Network Project 1.0

Fecha de publicación: 7 octubre 2025 | Idioma del informe EN

The Context

The UK Vaccine Network Project 1.0 was a UK government initiative (2016-2023) established to strengthen global health security by accelerating the development of vaccines and associated technologies to address epidemic threats in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Guided by the UK Vaccine Network (UKVN), a multidisciplinary panel of experts from academia, industry, government and charities, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer to the Department of Health and Social Care, the Project 1.0 received £134 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding. It supported 99 grants spanning early- and late-stage vaccine development, vaccine manufacturing, One Health, and epidemiological research.

The Evaluation

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research, on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), commissioned Technopolis and Triple Line Consulting to conduct an independent evaluation of the UKVN Project 1.0. The evaluation was conducted between May 2024 and July 2025.

The theory-based evaluation assessed the processes, outcomes and impacts of the UKVN Project 1.0, as well as identified learnings for future investments into vaccine R&D. It included a literature review, portfolio analysis of funded projects, a survey with project leads and partners, and a programme of interviews with project leads and international experts from academia, industry and funding bodies.

Eighteen case studies were developed to provide detailed accounts of the impacts and insights derived from project participation. Further, a cost-benefit analysis was conducted to estimate the global benefits of the first year of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This vaccine is based on the ChAdOx platform, the development of which was supported by the UKVN Project 1.0.

The Insights

The evaluation found that the UKVN Project 1.0 played a vital role in strengthening global health security – speeding up vaccines and related technology development for 12 priority pathogens. In particular, it advanced several key areas and delivered measurable impact.

Strategic early-stage investment: UKVN Project 1.0 focused on high-risk, early-stage vaccine R&D where UK institutions had strong scientific capabilities but commercial incentives or access to alternative funding were lacking.
Progress across 12 priority pathogens: Supported a diverse portfolio of vaccine candidates. Share of projects at pre-clinical or clinical stages rose from 25% to 67%. 25% of all candidates targeting these priority pathogens that reached clinical trials were UKVN-funded.At least five vaccine candidates are ‘Phase II ready’ (having completed Phase I trials with positive results); two secured CEPI funding. None of the UKVN 1.0 projects have yet led to a licensed vaccine.
Broad research impact: Advanced early vaccine development, epidemiology, zoonotic disease surveillance, and manufacturing innovations. Supported platform technologies and work aligned with LMIC target product profiles.
Global and LMIC benefits: Strengthened capacity through collaboration, technology transfer, training and policy engagement. Examples include vaccine manufacturing in Vietnam and India, Lassa fever surveillance in Nigeria, and Ebola response research in the DRC.
Outbreak readiness and global impact: Several vaccines (e.g., ChAdOx1 biEBOV and MARV) are now WHO-recommended for deployment. Supported research in ChAdOx platform and a MERS vaccine candidate, which directly enabled the rapid development of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive global authorisation.
Value of early public investment: UKVN 1.0 funding validated the model of investing in adaptable, disease-agnostic vaccine platforms, which have the potential to deliver major health and economic returns during outbreaks and pandemics. Our analysis estimates that deployment of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the pandemic’s first year generated an approximately £43 in global benefits for every £1 invested by UKVN Project 1.0, through lives saved and reduced illness.
Strengthening UK and global R&D ecosystem: Consolidated leading research clusters (University of Oxford, UK Health Security Agency’s Porton Down facility and the Pirbright Institute) and expanded capacity to new regions (Universities of Liverpool and Nottingham). Fostered collaborations across over 400 institutions globally, producing over 380 peer-reviewed publications made available via open access, and with nearly 25% of publications involving LMIC authors.
Effective but fragmented delivery model: The delivery model was fit for purpose, enabling DHSC to commission research through established funding organisations Open funding calls broadened participation, attracting researchers from adjacent disciplines. However, inconsistent reporting and monitoring across delivery partners limited systematic performance assessment.
Persistent barriers remain: Limited access to high-containment facilities and manufacturing infrastructure in the UK; unclear commercial pathways for SMEs; weak responsibilities for funding and maintaining stockpiles in LMIC; and regulatory and operational hurdles, especially for international collaboration.

One of the key lessons from the UKVN Project 1.0 is that building on established strengths accelerates progress, while maintaining a diverse technology portfolio enhances long-term innovation and resilience. The evaluation also provided specific recommendations to maximise future impact of the UKVN Project 2.0 and other vaccine R&D programmes.