A factory in West Lothian is preparing to deliver 60 million Covid-19 vaccines by next year as part of a £1.3 billion deal with the UK Government.

Valneva is to produce a total of 190 million doses of its experimental drug VLA20001 – if the vaccine development proves successful – at its facility in Livingston over the next five years, having reached the agreement.

The vaccine is expected to enter the clinic by December and first regulatory approval could be granted in the second half of 2021.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Having visited Valneva just last month, I have seen first-hand the incredible work they are doing to develop and manufacture a Covid-19 vaccine.

“This new agreement could help us vaccinate millions of people across the country, as well as help create a UK vaccine manufacturing facility to speed up access to a potential Covid-19 candidate and boost the country’s resilience against future pandemics.”

Valneva will provide the UK Government with 60 million doses in the second half of 2021, if vaccine development is successful.

There will then be more than 40 million doses available in 2022 and a further 30 million to 90 million doses between 2023 and 2025.

The vaccine is expected to have a two-dose regimen.

Thomas Lingelbach, the CEO of Valneva, said: “We made the early decision to choose a proven and well-established inactivated vaccine approach which is further validated by this partnership.

“We are honoured to have been chosen by the UK Government and are eager to partner with them to address this terrible ongoing pandemic.

“This is another transformational step for Valneva following the Lyme partnership we signed earlier this year and our chikungunya vaccine commencing phase three clinical studies last week.”