New robotic AI lab opens in Liverpool to tackle infectious diseases

A new £20 million robotic laboratory has opened in Liverpool to speed up the discovery of new drugs and vaccines for infectious diseases

The Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory has been developed through the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON), a partnership bringing together industry, researchers and the NHS to develop new approaches to infection research.

The high-security facility combines artificial intelligence, robotics and human organoid technology to support the development and testing of potential treatments.

Using AI and robotics to speed up research

The Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory is designed to automate parts of the drug discovery process, using advanced robotics and liquid-handling systems to carry out experiments efficiently and consistently.

Artificial intelligence will also help analyse research data, helping scientists investigate potential new treatments and approaches to infectious diseases.

The facility is expected to become fully operational in 2027 and will provide companies and academic researchers with access to specialist equipment and expertise.

Human organoids offer an alternative to animal testing.

A major feature of the new Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory is its use of human organoids. These laboratory-grown models can replicate some characteristics and functions of human organs.

Researchers can use organoids to study how infections affect human tissue and to investigate how potential drugs or vaccines might work. This could provide information that is more directly relevant to humans than some traditional animal-based testing methods.

The facility forms part of wider efforts in the UK to increase the use of human-relevant alternatives to animal testing. The Government has committed £75 million to a national roadmap to support the development and adoption of these alternatives.

A secure environment for dangerous pathogens

The laboratory includes a new Containment Level 3 (CL3) facility, allowing approved research involving dangerous pathogens to take place in a controlled and secure environment.

It was designed to meet Schedule Five biosecurity requirements and includes enhanced security features, including a steel-clad structure.

This will allow researchers and industry partners to investigate infectious diseases while maintaining strict safety and security standards.

Supporting businesses and creating jobs

The facility will be available to businesses of different sizes, including start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises developing new drugs and vaccines.

Through iiCON, companies can take part in initial pilot research and explore the potential of organoid-based testing. The approach is intended to give smaller companies access to advanced research infrastructure that could otherwise be difficult to obtain.

The Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory is forecast to attract around £40 million in investment during its first three years. It is also expected to create highly skilled jobs and contribute to the growth of Liverpool’s life sciences sector.

Strengthening Liverpool’s infection research network

The Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory is part of the wider Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone and builds on the city’s long history of infectious disease research.

By bringing together researchers, healthcare organisations and businesses, the facility is intended to strengthen collaboration across the sector and help move promising discoveries from early research towards new drugs and vaccines.