Twickenham's MP has pledged her support for a company producing DNA-based vaccines in Hampton.

Earlier this week Munira Wilson visited Touchlight, a world leader in synthetic DNA research and manufacture.

Touchlight describes itself as a cutting-edge British company, and it is developing the next generation of DNA-based vaccines.

Touchlight is based in the Victorian Grade II listed Moreland and Riverdale pumping station on Upper Sunbury Road.

It has doubled in size over the past year, and currently employs 70 people at the site. It is also recruiting for 35 more as it expands the facility.

Touchlight manufactures dbDNA which is a building block for vaccines and medicines that tackle many different diseases.

It is particularly excited about its cancer vaccine, which will be entering clinical trials later in the year.

Wilson said: "It was fantastic to visit Touchlight and meet the team behind this world-beating biotech company.

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"Their breakthroughs in the field of synthetic DNA are opening up a whole new approach to medicine.

"This work could prove vital in the field of cancer vaccines and future Covid variant vaccines, as well as gene therapy, with the potential to save millions of lives.

"As the UK seeks to build resilience against future pandemics and as treatments for serious diseases are increasingly personalised, Touchlight is a company of national and global importance.

"Locally, Touchlight is bringing well-paid, highly-skilled jobs to the area as they continue to expand.

"Moreover, they are sympathetically restoring a grade II listed building which has laid derelict for 70 years.

"I am so proud to have Touchlight in my constituency, and I have pledged my full support to the CEO, Jonny Ohlson, and his inspirational team, to champion their work both locally and nationally."