Biotech firms helping to pioneer new technologies to prepare for pandemics, protect against floods, innovative farming, and more have been awarded £100 million from the UK government.

Six new “Engineering Biology Mission Hubs” and 22 “Mission Awards” projects across the UK that look to address global challenges, increase national resilience, and drive economic growth through biotech are set to receive the cash from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

A further £21 million is being awarded by the Department to the UK Biobank, the large-scale biomedical database and research resource. The Biobank is being given the money for a new robotic freezer, which is to be used to store 20 million samples of biological data, supporting research that’s being done to treat diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s.

Michelle Donelan, the science and technology secretary, visited the UK Biobank in Stockport earlier this week, where she reiterated the UK government’s aim for the country to become a science and technology superpower by the end of the decade.

“Long-term growth is the only way we will deliver the public services and improvements in living standards that every Briton wants for themselves and their families,” she said.

“But as history shows, it is technological and scientific advances that are the true engine room of growth, and despite our existing strengths in these sectors, we cannot afford to pat ourselves on our back and take our eye off the ball.

“Cementing the UK as a science and technology superpower by 2030 is more than a slogan. It is a goal we must reach if we want to grow our economy, continue creating well-paid jobs and build a better, healthier, more prosperous future for the UK.”

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The biotech funding news comes amid other science- and technology-related announcements from the government today (Friday 9 January), including the National Timing Centre R&D Programme for Quantum Clocks receiving £7 million in funding, and the launch of a £3 million metascience grant funding call, aimed at boosting the efficiency and effectiveness of the UK’s research system.