KEY POINTS
  • Germany's BioNTech is launching a U.K. trial of personalized mRNA therapies, including cancer vaccines, from September.
  • It aims to deliver 10,000 therapies to patients before 2030.
  • Campaigners called on the government to ensure any positive outcome could be delivered at an accessible price point and include delivery to global cancer patients.
A NHS vaccinator administers the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 booster jab to a woman, at a vaccination centre in London. BioNTech is launching a large-scale trial of mRNA therapies to treat cancer and other diseases in the U.K.

LONDON — The U.K. government on Friday announced a partnership with German firm BioNTech to test potential vaccines for cancer and other diseases, as campaigners warned any breakthrough must remain affordable and accessible.

Cancer patients in England will get early access to trials involving personalized mRNA therapies, including cancer vaccines, which aim to spur the immune system to attack harmful cells.