Yesterday, Munira visited Touchlight, a world-leader in synthetic DNA research and manufacture. This cutting-edge British company is developing the next generation of DNA-based vaccines on the banks of the Thames in Hampton. This is a great British science success story right here on our doorstep.
Touchlight is based in the stunning Victorian Grade II listed Moreland and Riverdale pumping station on Upper Sunbury Road. Having already doubled in size over the past year, the company currently employs 70 people at the site and is recruiting for 35 more as they expand their facility.
Touchlight manufactures dbDNA which is a building block for vaccines and medicines that tackle many different diseases. They are particularly excited about their cancer vaccine which will be entering clinical trials later in the year.
Following the visit Munira said:
“It was fantastic to visit Touchlight today and meet the team behind this world-beating biotech company. Their breakthroughs in the field of synthetic DNA are opening up a whole new approach to medicine
This work could prove vital in the field of cancer vaccines and future Covid variant vaccines, as well as gene therapy, with the potential to save millions of lives. As the UK seeks to build resilience against future pandemics and as treatments for serious diseases are increasingly personalised, Touchlight is a company of national and global importance.
Locally, Touchlight is bringing well paid, highly skilled jobs to the area as they continue to expand. Moreover, they are sympathetically restoring a grade II listed building which has laid derelict for 70 years.
I am so proud to have Touchlight in my constituency, and I have pledged my full support to the CEO, Jonny Ohlson, and his inspirational team, to champion their work both locally and nationally.”