The Health Protection Agency (HPA) was formed on April 1st 2003 by bringing together various sections of the public health system. The Agency was set up to provide an integrated approach to protecting public health and reducing the effects of infections, poisons, chemical and radiation hazards.

Although a public sector body the Agency derrives a significant proportion of its annual turnover from commercial and contract work with UK and foreign governments, industry and academia.

The Agency conducts research into specific hazards to meet current and incipient health problems and to react to national emergencies, and has three national centres as well as a network of laboratories across the country.

The Agency's Centre at Porton Down has licensed GMP manufacturing facilities available for contract manufacture of biologics including recombinant proteins, enzymes and vaccines.

Specialist facilities for the handling of microbial pathogens exist to enable the development of diagnostic,prophylactic and therapeutic products from live agents, with particular reference to the biodefence sector.

Other capabilities include vaccine evaluation services from the development of assays to support for clinical trials, the supply of cell cultures and a wide range of diagnostic services.

The Agency has recently formed a technology cluster with three other public sector establishments (Central Science laboratory, Defence Science & Technology Laboratory and Veterinary Laboratories Agency) to facilitate licensing and joint venturing of complementary IP across a range of technology areas.