Pandemic Institute opens at Liverpool’s Spine 

The medical, academic, and civic partnership is taking part of a floor at the 160,000 sq ft Paddington Village building, with a view to expanding in the future. 

Launching in the Spine today, the Pandemic Institute is made up of the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowledge Quarter Liverpool. 

Liverpool has been heavily involved in the response to the pandemic. Having conducted a city-wide testing pilot during the height of the outbreak, Liverpool then hosted some of the first government test events, designed to evidence how certain sectors of the economy could be reopened safely. 

Now, the Pandemic Institute aims to offer clinical research expertise across all stages of the pandemic lifecycle in order to “build preparedness for future pandemics”, the city council said. 

The overall aim is to accelerate the global response to pandemics, unify global intelligence and increase the reach and impact of pandemic research. 

The Pandemic Institute was initially funded by a £10m gift from Innova Medical Group, the world’s largest provider of rapid antigen tests. 

Professor Matthew Baylis, director of the Pandemic Institute, said: “The Pandemic Institute has the potential to help revolutionise how the world responds to pandemics. 

“Liverpool is perfectly placed to be the home for the Pandemic Institute. Liverpool is a global city with expertise in many fields relevant to pandemics, including medical, tropical and veterinary research.” 

Other occupiers within the 14-storey Spine include the Royal College of Physicians and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. The building opened in May.

The Spine offers the highest office space in the city, standing at the eastern gateway to KQ Liverpool. Morgan Sindall delivered the building for Liverpool City Council, with AHR as the architect.