---
title: "1785-S - Raw material for mRNA vaccine development"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-292d9540-141a-4cb6-ae6f-b8bec80f3b78"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-292d9540-141a-4cb6-ae6f-b8bec80f3b78"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-292d9540-141a-4cb6-ae6f-b8bec80f3b78.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-292d9540-141a-4cb6-ae6f-b8bec80f3b78.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION LIMITED"
published: "2020-07-08"
---

# 1785-S - Raw material for mRNA vaccine development

Buyer: CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-292d9540-141a-4cb6-ae6f-b8bec80f3b78

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## Summary

The Centre for Process Innovation Limited (CPI) is conducting a procurement process for the provision of raw materials necessary for mRNA vaccine development. Officially titled "1785-S - Raw material for mRNA vaccine development," this tender falls under the pharmaceutical products category and is based in the North East of England. The procurement process has reached the award stage, with a contract value of £763,000 awarded to Touchlight Genetics Ltd. The contract commenced on 19th June 2020 and is set to conclude on 18th December 2020. The procurement method used is a limited, negotiated procedure without prior publication, in accordance with public procurement regulations.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology, particularly those capable of supplying DNA templates for vaccine development. Firms that possess the necessary technical expertise and are experienced in negotiating Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) would be well-positioned to compete in this space. Given the urgency and unique requirements of the COVID-19 vaccine project, businesses offering scalable and validated manufacturing processes for DNA production are likely to find considerable opportunity for growth through involvement in such critical and high-value contracts.

## Notice

CPI require a number of enzymes to use as part of its response to COVID-19 vaccine project. The Public Contract Regulations 2015 state in regulation 32.2) The negotiated procedure without prior publication may be used for public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts in any of the following cases:- (ii)competition is absent for technical reasons Raw material for mRNA vaccine development/manufacture of a COVID 19 vaccine. This is a fast moving and time limited project. As a synthetically expressed mRNA vaccine, a DNA template is required for expression and manufacture. The DNA template design is the key IP and any transfer to 3rd party manufacturing sites needs to be protected with relevant MTA agreements. The DNA template can be manufactured in a couple of different ways, either using E. Coli to make conventional plasmid DNA template which then needs to be purified, or using a unique synthetic manufacturing route developed by the supplier to make a DNA template called "Doggy Bone DNA" dbDNA. The supplier already have an MTA with the research company and have manufactured dbDNA in stock and ready for dispatch, any other supplier will need to negotiate an MTA with the research company and then develop a manufacturing process before being able to manufacture a product for sale. This process will take several months and cause a significant delay to the process development activities at CPI. The manufacturing process is unique to the supplier, fully validated and scalable and is able to supply any quantity of DNA required. No final decision can be made at this moment about the final supplier of the DNA template for final full scale manufacture but the supplier is the only company who is able to supply DNA to support the current development activities.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c3e4658e-4323-42de-b3e8-387a09d8b960 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Jul 2020 |
| Submission deadline | 11 Jun 2020 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 18 Jun 2020 |
| Contract period | 18 Jun 2020 - 18 Dec 2020 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £763,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £763,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION LIMITED |
| Locality | REDCAR |
| Post town | Cleveland |
| Postcode | TS10 4RF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC3 Tees Valley |
| ITL 3 | TLC32 South Teesside |
| Local authority | Redcar and Cleveland |
| Electoral ward | Dormanstown |
| Westminster constituency | Redcar |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | TOUCHLIGHT GENETICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

### Codes

- 33600000 - Pharmaceutical products

## Release History

- 8 Jul 2020 at 09:54 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c3e4658e-4323-42de-b3e8-387a09d8b960

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c3e4658e-4323-42de-b3e8-387a09d8b960
  8th July 2020 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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