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2021-03-31-accounts

PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING VIRAL DISEASES

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 228824 / REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 00559784

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CONTENTS
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PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING VIRAL DISEASES

05 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION 07 DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

08 PIRBRIGHT’S PERFORMANCE 10 PIRBRIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

12 ABOUT PIRBRIGHT

14 OUR GOVERNANCE

46 DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS

Cover image: Confocal microscope image of cells in culture infected with SARS-CoV-2. Host cell components are stained in blue (nuclei) and green (actin cytoskeleton), red labelling indicates infected cells. Credit: Nicole Doyle (Nidovirus-Cell Interactions), Dagmara Bialy (CL3 Virology), The Pirbright Institute.

Inside front image: Image shows cholesterol (blue) and MDV glycoprotein B (green) in infected cells in the presence of a cholesterol inhibitor. Nuclei are shown in white. CC BY 4.0 ©2020 Boodhoo et al.

The Pirbright Institute www.pirbright.ac.uk

@Pirbright_Inst

@ThePirbrightInstitute The Pirbright Institute

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2020-2021

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Photography: © James Brittain
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FOREWORD BY THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Yet, just 18 months later, hundreds of millions of people around the world have already been vaccinated with effective vaccines that have been developed and manufactured with unprecedented speed. The pace of scientific research has been astounding and has been critical in detecting, understanding and responding to COVID-19. Advances in genetic sequencing have enabled scientists to map the virus genome and subsequent mutations with exceptional accuracy and speed and then correlate these to changes in the viruses’ behaviour. The sharing of scientific knowledge globally has enabled policy makers, public health officials and government to make decisions about how to control its spread and highlighted the key role diagnostics and surveillance play in disease control.

I am delighted to present the Trustees’ Report incorporating the Strategic Report for the year 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided challenges for UK and global communities. No other period in recent times has highlighted so powerfully the importance of science in preventing and controlling viral diseases. This is the purpose for which Pirbright exists and whilst the focus of the Institute is on viruses that affect livestock, I am justly proud of the Institute’s role in helping to identify and control COVID-19. This includes vaccine testing, providing diagnostic tools and expertise to NHS laboratories, advice and training for the Brants Bridge Lighthouse Laboratory for the NHS Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Service and research to investigate the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and immunity. It is astonishing to think that in December 2019 we were largely unaware of the emergence of a deadly new coronavirus or that it would spread globally resulting in over 3.9 million deaths[1 ] (at the time of writing in June 2021) and untold economic and personal hardship.

Understanding, detecting and responding to viral diseases are the cornerstones of Pirbright’s science strategy. Predicting new emerging diseases is also a key role, making it possible to prepare for rapid and decisive action to stop new viruses spreading. Predicting the next potential pandemic requires investment in research on viruses that ‘could emerge’ from animals (zoonoses), as well as investing in tackling those viruses that already exist. Preparedness for disease outbreaks has a huge impact on animal and human health as well as food and economic security.

Preventing disease requires detailed scientific knowledge on how a pathogen might emerge, excellent surveillance and diagnostics, as well as the ability to develop treatments and vaccines quickly and efficiently. Working collaboratively with countries where diseases may be more likely to emerge or are already circulating is also important.

I continue to be impressed by Pirbright’s

critical contribution to the international efforts in preventing and controlling current and emerging diseases in livestock (such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)), influenza and African swine fever (ASF). Pirbright currently studies many of the zoonoses that are considered potential threats such as Nipah and Rift Valley fever but will continue to focus its research on highly infectious viral diseases that have the potential to threaten animal health and economic and food security.

All this activity has been achieved through stringent risk management and the implementation of a COVID-19 safe working environment which enabled scientists and essential support services to return to our site. The Board recognises the huge effort Pirbright’s staff have made despite the many challenges to keep Pirbright operational and maintaining research impact.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the generous support from our main sponsor, BBSRC UKRI, in providing funds for Pirbright’s state-of-the-art research facilities and strong scientific programmes. We anticipate that this support will continue as we adapt our strategy to rapidly changing threats from virus diseases and move forward to phase three of our site development programme.

Professor John Stephenson Chair of Trustee Board The Pirbright Institute

1 Johns Hopkins University

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DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

We have developed methods, through the BMGF funded antibody hub, to sequence single cattle B cells. From these sequences we have expressed cattle antibodies, the heavy chain is shown in red and the light chain shown in green. Many cattle antibodies have extended heavy chain protrusions to bind to their targets. Understanding where antibodies bind to the viruses we study will help identify how to develop improved vaccines.

PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS IS KEY

Dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has dominated our lives over the last year. However, like other organisations we have found ways to continue working. During these challenging times we have made significant contributions to the control of the pandemic, delivered our research programmes, kept our site safe and continued to deliver our ambitious infrastructure development programme.

Our staff, collaborators and external contractors have risen to the challenges facing us to ensure everyone is safe and productive. New ways of working have emerged as a consequence of the crisis, some of these changes, such as video conferencing, can improve our efficiency, improve work life balance and reduce travel. The speed of the spread of SARSCoV-2 around the globe is testing modern society. There have been a huge number of tragic losses caused by the pandemic, but the response from scientists, industry and governments has by and large been impressive.

The possibility of a global pandemic has been high on the risk register of most countries for many years, especially after the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014. A coronavirus pandemic was also highly probable as coronaviruses do jump between species more readily than some viruses, for example SARS and MERS infections in people and two global epidemics of coronaviruses in pigs in the last 10 years, originating from bats and birds.

Preparing for the next pandemic is vitally important. At Pirbright we will continue to focus on improving our understanding of viruses, how they cause disease and how they transmit between different species. We must also continue to develop diagnostic test and vaccine platforms to control current threats and be ready to adapt those platforms for emerging threats.

important. At Pirbright we will continue to “Preparing for the next focus on improving our understanding of pandemic is vitally viruses, how they cause disease and how they transmit between different species. We must important. At Pirbright also continue to develop diagnostic test and vaccine platforms to control current threats we will continue to and be ready to adapt those platforms for emerging threats. focus on improving and must not be forgotten, there is a huge The known threats are a major concern our understanding global burden of animal diseases caused by pathogens that have been largely neglected of viruses, how they in low- and middle-income countries, for cause disease and how example, foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever and bovine tuberculosis. they transmit between Improving the health of livestock improves human health and welfare and reduces the different species.” impact of agriculture on the environment. Pirbright will continue to concentrate its efforts on finding solutions to the persistent and currently intractable diseases of livestock and prepare for emerging diseases. No organisation can work in isolation and our strategic collaborators in the UK and internationally are essential to bring the very best bioscience and medical science researchers together to find effective solutions to global problems.

Professor Bryan Charleston Director and CEO The Pirbright Institute

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PIRBRIGHT’S PERFORMANCE

PIRBRIGHT’S PERFORMANCE

FOR 2020/21 PIRBRIGHT’S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES WERE:

• To further develop the Pirbright long term vision of scientific research with impact, in particular enhancing our collaborations with agencies to improve disease control in low- and middle-income countries

PIRBRIGHT’S KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ARE:

OUR PERFORMANCE AGAINST KPIs 2020/21:

• Pirbright is subject to an HSE Major Hazard Intervention Plan comprising of a minimum of four scheduled HSE inspections each year to monitor compliance with its licence under the Specified Animals Pathogen Order (SAPO) 2008 and with regulations under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. No enforcement action notices were issued, or enforcement action taken by HSE against Pirbright in 2020/21, and we complied with all HSE recommendations. Pirbright reference laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and are subject to annual surveillance audit by UKAS. Accreditation was maintained in 2020/21 with no findings from the surveillance audit. No other enforcement was applied for Pirbright in 2020/21 by any regulatory or audit body on any aspect of biorisk, health & safety, security, environment, quality or wider compliance.

Bioimaging of infectious bursal disease in chicken tissue.

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PIRBRIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

PIRBRIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS

PIRBRIGHT HIGHLIGHTS IN 2020/21

Despite the pandemic Pirbright has continued its critical research during 2020-21 to both help support the fight against COVID-19 while continuing to advance its research and diagnostics in other viral diseases of global importance.

COMBATTING COVID-19

TRAINING DIAGNOSTIC STAFF

SARS-COV-2 RESEARCH

Pirbright is ideally placed to support the global effort to control the pandemic. As a centre of excellence in viral research, vaccine development, and diagnostics and surveillance, Pirbright worked with colleagues in the Jenner Institute to evaluate a prime boost strategy for the AstraZeneca vaccine in the pig model. We also tested two other human vaccine candidates in pigs.

We were We have experienced researchers who pleased to have worked for many years on animal be asked to coronaviruses that cause widespread support the diseases globally, mainly of poultry and Brants Bridge pigs, for example, infectious bronchitis Lighthouse virus (IBV) of poultry. Prior to 2020 Laboratory in the Institute did not work on human Bracknell, run by coronaviruses but last year we began NHS Berkshire research on SARS-CoV-2, which appears and Surrey to have spread from a bat to an, as yet, Pathology unidentified intermediate animal, and Services (BSPS). then to humans. We provided a Pirbright research during 2020-2021 comprehensive has unravelled some of SARS-CoV-2’s specialist secrets including development of a test training that detects the antibodies that prevent programme for the virus undertaking cell-to-cell fusion diagnostic scientists and staff who will be working to enter cells, research showing the virus at the lab. The laboratory is now operational and can enter the cells of a range of different testing COVID-19 swabs as part of the national animals and identifying key mutations effort to help tackle the spread of coronavirus. It that may have enabled it to make the forms part of the Government’s high throughput jump to humans.

diagnostic scientists and staff who will be working at the lab. The laboratory is now operational and testing COVID-19 swabs as part of the national effort to help tackle the spread of coronavirus. It forms part of the Government’s high throughput diagnostic national laboratory network to process swab samples from members of the public who have taken COVID-19 tests.

DEVELOPING VACCINES AGAINST AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF GENETIC MUTATIONS IN SARSCOV-2?

African Swine fever (ASF) Pirbright is one of the members of a consortium of has spread from Africa 10 UK virology laboratories studying the effects of to Europe and Asia emerging mutations in SARS-CoV-2, the cause of devastating pig coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which is funded by production which UKRI. The ‘G2P-UK’ National Virology Consortium will has a significant study how mutations in the virus affect key outcomes impact on food such as transmissiblilty, the severity of COVID-19 security. Pirbright it causes, and the effectiveness of vaccines and research, run in treatments. partnership with Zoetis, is evaluating three different ASF vaccine candidates to identify which is the most promising for further development. The partnership also aims to modify the vaccine so it can be distinguished from infection in the field during outbreaks.

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HOUGHTON OPENS FOR SCIENCE

Pirbright’s newest completed science building, The Houghton Facility opened in November 2020. Designed as a specified pathogen free (SPF) poultry laboratory it enables researchers to incubate, hatch and grow birds that are disease free. The construction of the laboratory cost £4 million, part of a continuing strategic development investment of £255 million from BBSRC UKRI.

PIGS SUPPORTING HUMAN HEALTH Physical and immunological similarities between pigs and humans make pigs excellent models for studying influenza as they are also naturally infected by the virus. Pig studies have shown that combining injection and aerosol flu vaccines results in better disease protection, demonstrated that pigs can still spread swine flu after vaccination and have developed the first antibodies against flu from pigs. Based on the successful influenza pig studies, Pirbright researchers have adapted the pig model to assess immune responses generated by COVID-19 vaccines, providing critical information for further development and human clinical trials.

101 DIFFERENT JOBS SUPPORTING SCIENCE

UKRI in collaboration with the Minister for Science Research and Innovation, Amanda Solloway, launched an initiative in 2021 to find 101 people, doing 101 different jobs that make major contributions to research and innovation, to highlight the fact that science is not just about ’lone geniuses’ in labs. Pirbright relies on a wealth of experienced staff working in engineering, health, safety and biosafety, lab management, animal services, quality and assurance, research services and the campus development programme among others who support scientific research. Over the past year this was particularly evident, as for our essential research to continue, many support service personnel were also Anna Lawton interviewed by required to work on site to facilitate this UKRI for 101 jobs that change the world campaign. research.

PIRBRIGHT CONFIRMS AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS OUTBREAK IN THAILAND

Scientists in the Non-Vesicular Reference Laboratory (NVRL) confirmed an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) in Thailand, the first that south-east Asia has ever experienced. AHS is the most lethal viral disease of horses known, affecting the economies and food security of lowincome countries as well as impacting the billion-dollar horse racing industry. The identification of AHS in Thailand is unprecedented and demonstrates the fact that this virus can emerge without warning in new areas. The rapid diagnostic services we provided enabled Thai authorities to respond quickly to contain the disease. Pirbright’s ability to collaborate with groups from around the world to ensure accurate diagnosis plays an essential role in combatting these threats and ensures we are ready to respond to any incursions of disease into the UK.

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THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE

THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE

ABOUT PIRBRIGHT

OUR PURPOSE

Pirbright’s mission is to prevent and control viral diseases of livestock and viruses that can spread from animals to people, known as zoonoses. 2020 has highlighted how important this area of research is with the emergence of COVID-19. As well as having scientific experts in coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2, the Institute studies over 45 livestock and zoonotic diseases including footand-mouth disease virus (FMDV), African swine fever virus (ASFV), influenza viruses including avian and swine flu along with many other diseases of high consequence.

OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS

The Institute employs more than 370 staff and its research is supported by 60 students from a range of backgrounds and prides itself on its diversity. We are located on a campus in Pirbright, Surrey which over the past ten years has received, and continues to receive, considerable investment from Government through BBSRC UKRI in strategic site development. Scientists work in state-of-the-art laboratories including specialised high-containment laboratories and animal facilities.

OUR SCIENCE

Pirbright provides the UK and countries around the world with the capacity to predict, detect, understand and respond to emerging new viral diseases of livestock and viruses that are circulating in and outside of the UK. Our diagnostics and surveillance facilities and expertise enable us to protect the UK from livestock viral diseases that threaten our borders and act decisively and swiftly in the event of an outbreak in order to control it as rapidly as possible.

Our fundamental research falls under two science programmes which study either hosts or viruses and the interactions between these. Both programmes are funded by BBSRC UKRI over a six-year period. In addition to this the Institute receives funding for further research programmes and diagnostics from BBSRC UKRI and other organisations including Defra, the Wellcome Trust, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and commercial partners.

PROGRAMME ONE: UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING VIRAL DISEASES

Pirbright’s research programme focusing on viruses is led by Dr Toby Tuthill and covers many aspects including:

The programme aims to understand at a molecular and cellular level the structure and systems used by viruses that allow them to infect, replicate and transmit disease. This knowledge will then be used to prevent and control viral diseases, especially highly

PROGRAMME TWO: ENHANCING HOST RESPONSES FOR DISEASE CONTROL

Pirbright’s host programme is led by Professor John Hammond and it focuses on four broad areas of research around livestock hosts and insect vectors:

The goal of the research is to develop innovative methods for the control of viral diseases through an enhanced understanding of host biology and host-virus interactions. Tools and disciplines that enable better understanding of the host-virus

infectious diseases that must be studied under high containment. Priority viruses that we are studying include: African swine fever virus, avian and swine influenza viruses, bluetongue virus, respiratory syncytial virus, coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, foot-and-mouth disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, infectious bursal disease virus, Marek’s disease virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, swine influenza virus, pox viruses and mosquito-borne arboviruses.

relationship include immunology, genetics, bioinformatics, entomology and vaccinology.

There are 28 research groups which fall under the two programmes with many working extremely closely together, particularly in virus/host interaction research.

Organization (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

DIAGNOSTIC AND SURVEILLANCE EXPERTISE

OUR VALUES

We take PRIDE in everything we do which is reflected in our values:

Pirbright has a long history of We receive samples from all over the protecting the UK from disease world and are instrumental in providing and has been home to the World countries with sophisticated data Reference Laboratory for Foot-andon strains of viruses causing disease Mouth Disease for over 60 years; this and helping to select vaccines to aid status was recently renewed. We also control. Last year we processed around operate the Non-Vesicular Reference 170,000 samples and have supported Laboratory, which acts as OIE reference the UK’s COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory, for a number of viruses of capabilities throughout 2020-21 by high consequence including African providing expertise, high-throughput swine fever virus, bluetongue, peste diagnostic machines and highly trained des petits ruminants, rinderpest, personnel. African horse sickness, lumpy skin The international reference disease, sheep pox and goat pox. laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC These Reference Laboratories provide 17025, a UKAS accredited laboratory an essential diagnostic and advice number 4025. In 2021 this accreditation service to the UK Government (Defra), was renewed following an extremely United Nations Food and Agriculture successful assessment by UKAS.

We receive samples from all over the we do which is reflected in our world and are instrumental in providing values: countries with sophisticated data on strains of viruses causing disease Passion – for the highest and helping to select vaccines to aid quality standards, delivery and control. Last year we processed around performance 170,000 samples and have supported the UK’s COVID-19 diagnostic Reliability – in everything we do; capabilities throughout 2020-21 by leadership, learning, biosafety, providing expertise, high-throughput problem anticipation and biodiagnostic machines and highly trained containment personnel.

Innovation – is the driving force behind our fundamental and applied science. Our work is positioned at the cutting-edge of science to deliver solutions for global good.

Dignity and respect – we respect and trust in our diverse community

Excellence – we aim to deliver the best in all aspects of our work, including scientific research, health, safety, biosafety, stakeholder support and protecting the environment.

We take PRIDE in being a worldclass centre of excellence in scientific research, attracting experts in their field from around the world. This combined with our drive for professional excellence and rigorous academic, biosafety and ethical standards allows the Institute to have a measurable impact on health and wellbeing and economic and food security globally.

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GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE

ILRI Stevie Mann

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

CHAIR OF THE TRUSTEE BOARD

OUR GOVERNANCE

Professor John Stephenson

Professor John Stephenson became Chair on 1January 2019. He has had a distinguished research career, with a long-standing interest in the interaction between virus infection and the immune system. He holds honorary professorships at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Liverpool, and is an Independent Scientific and Technical Advisor (ISTA) for the UK Surgeon General.

The Pirbright Institute is an independent company, limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It is governed by a Board of non-executive Trustee Directors who provide strategic input to the Senior Leadership Board at Pirbright. Science at the Institute is reviewed by an independent group of leading researchers who comprise the Science Advisory Board and whose role is to provide advice and guidance on science strategy and direction.

molecular diagnostics, with the Royal Institute of Chartered molecular diagnostics patent Surveyors (RICS) Dilapidations for cytomegalovirus detection Forum and chaired the UK RICS licenced to Public Health dilapidations conference in England. 2021. She is actively involved in diversity and inclusion and is Emma Griffin the partner sponsor of Ashurst’s Emma Griffin has over Social Mobility and Inclusion 25 years professional network, which is working to experience across remove barriers to entry into a multitude of and progression within the legal sectors in cyber security, profession.

Rona worked in international finance managing the Finance Ian Bateman and Treasury teams for an oil and Ian is currently Director gas shipping business followed of Quality at by roles at Sotheby’s as their NHS Blood and European Finance Director Transplant. He and Ofcom the newly formed is an Executive communications regulator. More recently Rona was the Chief Operating Officer at Sport England, the lottery distributor, where additional responsibilities included grants management, Commercial and IT as well as contributing to the development of the organisation’s strategy.

TRUSTEES

Emma Griffin has over 25 years professional experience across a multitude of sectors in cyber security, technology, and regulatory compliance. Experienced in all facets of cyber security including data protection, cloud, infrastructure, and application security, preventing business disruption, cyber fraud and intellectual property theft. She participates on several advisory boards to influence and drive cyber security development and solution innovation and regularly participates in industry and regulatory forums as an advisor and speaker. Emma is actively involved in promoting diversity and inclusion and seeks to encourage careers in science and technology to minority groups. Emma has a Masters degree in Information Security from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Director and Board Member with significant strategic leadership experience in healthcare organisations in both public and private sectors. He has a strong background in corporate leadership of quality, regulatory affairs, corporate governance, assurance, risk and health and safety.

Dr Paul Logan

Prior to his retirement

in 2020, Dr Paul Logan was a Senior Civil

Jon Coles Jon Coles was a

Servant in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which he had joined as a regulatory scientist. During his time in HSE he chaired a number of industry/ government committees, as well as representing the UK on a European Medicines Agency working group on Gene Therapy, and a World Health Organization group developing guidelines for the manufacture of pandemic flu vaccines. He was Director of the division in HSE with responsibility for regulation of major hazards industries, including chemical manufacturing, oil refineries, explosives manufacture and storage, and high containment laboratories.

Ian Black senior Partner at Ian worked as a Brunswick Group senior executive in LLP, a leading

Ian worked as a senior executive in a range of global organisations with a business sector focus on Engineering, Technology and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods. This included various roles covering Strategy, HR, IT, Quality and Marketing Services worldwide. He has served as a Non-Executive Director in the public and private sectors where he has been a Member or Chair of Board Committees such as Audit, Remuneration, Nominations and Strategy. He is also a Director of BSH Ltd an international equestrian business and board advisor to CC North, an energy management consultancy.

international communications consultancy, where he advised the Boards of Directors of global groups on strategic communications and corporate reputation. His particular focus was on clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agriculture industries.

Professor

a Member or Chair of Board Vince Emery from Royal Holloway, University manufacturing, oil refineries, Committees such as Audit, Professor Vince Emery is of London. explosives manufacture and Remuneration, Nominations and Emeritus Professor storage, and high containment Strategy. He is also a Director of of Translational Alison Hardy laboratories. BSH Ltd an international Virology at the University of Alison Hardy is a solicitor equestrian business and board Surrey and holds an Honorary and partner with City Roger Louth advisor to CC North, an energy Professorship in Virology at law firm Ashurst Roger Louth was a management consultancy. UCL. His research, spanning LLP where she Senior Civil Servant in over 33 years, aims to provide leads the real estate dispute the Department for Rona Chester an interdisciplinary approach to resolution practice. She is a Business Innovation Rona is a fellow of the understanding viral infections in former Chair of the Property and Skills. In his final post before Institute of Chartered immunocompromised hosts. He Litigation Association, having retirement in 2011 he was Accountants with over is a fellow of the Royal Society of earlier chaired its website responsible for the strategic 30 years’ experience Biology and has published 240 and marketing committee. financial management of the in leading financial teams in research articles, reviews and is a Alison is experienced in all Government’s £6 billion per both the public and private named inventor on five patents aspects of commercial real annum Science and Research sector. During her early career in the area of biotechnology and estate and is a member of the Budget.

Jane Tirard

Jane has over 30 years of experience of all aspects of strategic financial planning, financial management, financial accounting, systems and processes. As a result of her roles, she has a working knowledge of government departments, funding councils, academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Her last position was as the Director of Finance and Corporate Services at the Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron science facility.

SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

Research at the Institute is reviewed by an independent group of leading scientists who comprise of the Science Advisory Board and whose role it is to provide advice and guidance on science strategy and direction. Chair:

Professor Jeffrey Almond, University of Oxford Members:

Professor Persephone Borrow, University of Oxford

Professor Vince Emery, University of Hertfordshire

Professor Gary Entrican, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh

Professor Stephen Inglis, NIBSC

Professor Thomas Mettenleiter, Friedrich-Loeffler Institute

Professor John Pickett, University of Cardiff

Professor David Rowlands, University of Leeds

Professor Helen Sang, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh

Professor Geoffrey L. Smith, University of Cambridge

Dr Samuel Thevasagayam, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Pirbright receives the majority of its income from government funding. We recognise the importance of engaging with all our key stakeholders including the public to ensure we comply with our operating and funding requirements and communicate the impact of our research. We have a range of stakeholders, some of which are included in the table below:

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STAKEHOLDERS HOW WE ENGAGE
FUNDERS We communicate with funders at all stages of the funding process and have regular
dialogue and face-to-face meetings with our key investors. Please see page 32 for
more information.
PUBLIC We engage with the public through our Outreach and Public Engagement programmes.
These have been severely affected in 2020/21 due to the pandemic, although we continue
to engage digitally where possible. More information can be found on page 26.
RESEARCH Pirbright undertakes numerous collaborations with universities, research institutes
ORGANISATIONS and disease control agencies around the world. See more on page 38.
AND PARTNERS
PHARMA Partnerships with pharmaceutical companies are essential for the development of
vaccines, diagnostics and medicines. Find out more on page 34.
FARMERS We engage with the farming community through specialist farming press, farming
organisations and bodies and media outlets including BBC World Service and BBC
Radio 4 Farming Today as well as at agricultural events.
EMPLOYEES Employee Engagement forms a central part of the Institute’s strategy. We employ a
myriad of ways to communicate with our staff and students in a dialogue so we can
also gain feedback. Communication channels include a fortnightly e-newsletter,
intranet, forums, staff briefings, surveys, digital screens, seminars, blogs and
workshops.
SUPPLIERS One of the ways we engage with our suppliers is through an Annual Supplier Day
held at Pirbright. However, due to the pandemic this was not possible but digital
engagement continued throughout the year.
LOCAL Our neighbours are extremely important to us and we support the local community
COMMUNITY in a number of ways including sponsoring local events, volunteering in local
conservation initiatives including Fox Corner Conservation and engaging with
the Parish, Borough and County Councils over development on our campus. Our
scientists also visit local schools and colleges – more can be found on page 26.
REGULATORS As a Major Hazard site, Pirbright works closely with the Health & Safety Executive
AND (HSE), counter-terrorism security authorities, Home Office and other regulators. As a
GOVERNMENTS National Capability for the prevention and control of exotic viral diseases of livestock,
Pirbright works closely with Defra, BBSRC UKRI and others. As the World Reference
Laboratory for certain pathogens and a regional Reference Laboratory for others,
Pirbright works closely with the UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) and
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). As an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing
laboratory, Pirbright works with the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). See page 28.
STUDENTS Pirbright has a vibrant student community, and we are committed to supporting,
nurturing and offering additional learning and training opportunities. Find out more
on page 48.
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SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS

SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS

REPLICATION SECRETS OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VIRUS REVEALED

SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS

NEW METHOD TO STUDY POULTRY VIRUS COULD REDUCE THE USE OF BIRDS IN RESEARCH

An enzyme called trypsin boosts the growth of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains in lab cell cultures. The highly contagious poultry virus causes a respiratory disease, which has a large economic impact on industries worldwide. This finding could enable researchers to study strains of the poultry virus that don’t grow well in a laboratory and potentially provide alternative vaccine production methods, which currently rely on eggs, therefore reducing the numbers of birds needed for research and vaccine production.

NEW CATTLE IMMUNE CELLS IDENTIFIED

Working with other partners across the globe, we have identified new immune cells in cattle, called mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. Human MAIT cells have been shown to tackle bacterial and viral infections, as well as playing a role in wound healing and vaccine response. In the study, published in Frontiers in Immunology , researchers showed that cattle MAIT cells were extremely similar to human MAIT cells. Cells were mainly located in mucosal tissues (which cover internal organs and cavities) as well as in the lymph nodes (parts of the immune system that help to fight infection). The team also established that the cattle MAIT cells were stimulated by similar signals to their human counterparts and showed that they are activated in response to cattle bacterial infections suggesting they may play an important role in fighting infection.

Advances in research, vaccine development and new diagnostic tests help to ensure the world is better prepared to combat outbreaks of viral disease through prevention and control as well as fundamental understanding of the mechanisms used by existing and emerging viruses to infect hosts and spread.

FIRST PIG FLU ANTIBODIES IDENTIFIED THAT MAY HELP CONTROL HUMAN FLU

Our researchers have generated the first pig antibodies against swine influenza (flu) that protect against infection and recognise the same parts of the flu virus as human antibodies. Antibodies form a vital part of the immune system’s response and help to fight off infections by latching on to important parts of invading microorganisms to neutralise them. In the case of flu viruses, many antibodies target a protein on the surface of the virus called haemagglutinin, which then prevents the virus from entering cells and replicating. This is significant because these pig antibodies could be used to develop and assess human antibody therapies and the most effective delivery methods. It is hoped that they also have the potential to improve how the evolution of flu viruses are monitored and inform decision-making on the annual flu vaccine selection.

IBV strain M41-CK (red) successfully growing inside Vero cells (green with blue nuclei) in the presence of trypsin CC BY 4.0 © 2020 Stevenson-Leggett et al

PIGS CAN STILL SPREAD SWINE FLU AFTER VACCINATION Effective flu vaccines are crucial for controlling disease outbreaks in pigs and to reduce potential threat of transmission to humans. Recent research between Pirbright and three collaborators has shown that several candidate vaccines against the 2009 swine flu pandemic virus (H1N1) were able to reduce signs of disease and virus shedding in pigs, but that immunised pigs could still pass the virus on to unvaccinated pigs in the same pen. The findings provide insight into whether immunised animals can continue to spread infection and show that a flu vaccine must virtually eliminate shedding of infectious virus to prevent onward transmission, otherwise even ‘immune’ pigs may still spread the virus to other animals, including humans.

Developing effective vaccines and treatments against African swine fever virus (ASFV), which kills up to 100 percent of the pigs it infects, has been difficult owing to the virus’s large genome and lack of understanding about how it replicates within cells. Recent bioimaging studies from Pirbright have uncovered how ASFV forms new copies of itself in areas called viral factories, information which could inform future antiviral treatment development. Viral factories are complex structures that form within infected cells, which contain a mixture of viral DNA, viral proteins and sections of the virus membrane. These elements are packaged together to make ASFV membrane fragments assembling new ASFV particles. The mechanisms by to form a ‘skeleton’ which the virus particles are assembled have remained virus with a triangular unclear, but this research published in Viruses provides pole (pink arrows). new super-resolution images of the early virus Fragments form assembly stages that occur within viral factories which vertically (bue arrows) and horizontally showed small, individual sections of virus membrane (yellow arrows) and appear to grow and link together and can form also branch out (white ‘skeletons’ of virus particles. arrows), possibly to link with other virions.

FLIGHTLESS FEMALE populations (females bite environmentally friendly MOSQUITOES COULD to obtain a blood meal and control methods are CONTROL DISEASE thereby spread disease; required. Although further Our scientists have created males do not bite) in select work is needed to assess the flightless mosquitoes by areas where mosquito-borne mating competitiveness of editing a specific gene diseases such as Zika and the engineered males and that is required for flight dengue are rife. Insecticides their compatibility with gene – but only in females. The are currently used to control drive system, these findings creation of flightless females populations but resistance are a positive step towards could provide a more and the negative impact providing new tools to tackle controlled and targeted on the environment mean diseases like dengue, Zika way of reducing mosquito other more effective and and West Nile fever.

INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS VIRUS SHUTS DOWN CELL STRESS SIGNALS

Together with scientists from the University of Surrey, we have shown that infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), an economically important poultry disease, can regulate the stress response of infected cells. The virus is able to manipulate several important cell signals, which would otherwise prevent a virus from making new copies of itself. Knowing the mechanisms and pathways that IBV disrupts will enable researchers to use a more targeted approach for generating effective treatments, such as antivirals.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV – in green) infection induces stress granules (red) in infected cells.

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF RINDERPEST REVEALS VALUABLE NEW INFORMATION By analysing the genetic sequences of rinderpest stocks before destruction at the Rinderpest Holding Facility and World Reference Laboratory for Rinderpest held at Pirbright, our experts have shed new light on the genetics, evolution and spread of the only virus after smallpox to have been eradicated. The study is an exemplar to other laboratories on how to glean as much information as possible through genetic analysis from remaining lab samples prior to destroying them. Further bioinformatic analyses of these samples may reveal more detailed information about the growth and evolution of the virus.

Bioimaging of rinderpest virus

POOLED MILK CAN BE USED FOR FOOT-ANDMOUTH DISEASE SURVEILLANCE

A case study undertaken by Pirbright researchers working in Saudi Arabia is the first to confirm that milk tested from in-line milk samplers on a large-scale dairy farm can be used to detect circulating foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in cattle. This finding has major impact on how we can use a range of surveillance mechanisms to monitor the incidence of this devastating disease and prevent further spread.

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SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS

SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS

AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS OUTBREAK CONFIRMED IN THAILAND

Diagnostic experts from the NonVesicular Reference Laboratory (NVRL) confirmed an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) in Thailand. AHS is the most lethal viral disease of horses known and the rapid diagnostic services provided by Pirbright has enabled authorities to respond quickly to the outbreak, the first that south-east Asia has ever experienced. As a designated AHS reference laboratory for the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Pirbright tests samples sent from around the globe to verify suspected infections. Samples from Thailand were confirmed African horse sickness virus (AHSV) positive and further testing established that AHSV serotype 1 had caused the outbreak; the first time that this serotype has been seen outside of Africa.

AHSV is spread mainly by Culicoides biting midges and Thailand has several species that have previously been implicated in the spread of viruses. There are nine serotypes of virus and knowing which is involved in an outbreak is important in choosing an effective vaccine.

SYNTHETIC ANTIBODIES COMBAT FLU IN POULTRY Our scientists have engineered synthetic antibody molecules that reduce the clinical signs of influenza in poultry. They also decrease the amount of influenza virus shed by birds into the environment, which would reduce the spread of infection through flocks and decrease the risk of transmission from poultry to humans. The synthetic antibodies provide immediate protection compared to vaccines, can be mass produced in insect cells and could work against the virus in all susceptible animals without adaption. These encouraging results suggest the antibodies could be used for influenza immunotherapy treatments as well as treating other viral diseases of poultry and humans.

MIDGE HABITS IN ZOOS virus (BTV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV) PROVIDE CLUES FOR and African horse sickness virus (AHSV). POTENTIAL DISEASE These viruses are known as arboviruses OUTBREAKS because they are transmitted by The first study ever undertaken to arthropods such as insects and ticks. confirm the feeding habits of midges Crucially the data showed midges on exotic animals in UK zoos could feed opportunistically on a range of hold important clues to prevent birds and animals including exotic zoo disease outbreaks in Northern Europe. species and therefore these animals Scientists from Pirbright, the Zoological are at a risk of developing disease and Society London and the London School potentially may be involved in cycles of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of transmission, important information worked together to collect midges for modelling potential outbreaks and from London and Whipsnade zoos. conservation breeding programmes. They identified 25 different species of Culicoides midges, six of which are considered to be vectors for bluetongue

DISEASE RESISTANT MOSQUITOES COULD COMBAT CHIKUNGUNYA

We are using genetic engineering Engineered to disable the chikungunya virus mosquito genome in mosquito cells to expressing hamper spread. Chikungunya, an fluorescent alphavirus, is a mosquito-borne markers infection which is characterised by a sudden onset of fever usually accompanied by mild to severe joint pain. Although the majority recover, it can cause a longer illness with debilitating joint pain in some people which can last years. It is hoped this technology could help researchers to engineer disease resistant mosquitoes that are unable to spread chikungunya between animals and people. CC BY 4.0 ©2020 Tng et al

BIRD FLU VIRUS COULD EVADE HUMAN ANTIVIRALS

We reveal that four mutations in bird flu viruses could allow them to escape human antiviral drugs without compromising their fitness. If flu strains with these mutations were to make Colourised the jump from birds to humans, this transmission electron could potentially limit methods used micrograph of for prevention and treatment. The avian influenza research highlights the importance viruses (seen in of constant surveillance on genetic gold) grown in changes in bird flu viruses and what cells by Cynthia Goldsmith this might mean for potential human infection.

IMPROVING POULTRY DISEASE VACCINES

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER RSV infected VACCINE STOPS PIGS cells with DEVELOPING SEVERE DISEASE staining for RSV protein (green), We are a step closer in the race to develop NFKB p65 (red) a vital vaccine for African swine fever and DNA (blue).

Two recent studies in collaboration with the Roslin Institute could improve vaccines for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a member of the coronavirus family that infects poultry. Scientists revealed that a vaccine virus was unable to survive in the lower airways of chickens because the core temperature of the birds was too high to support replication. This could be the reason the vaccine virus was unable to provide complete protection against multiple strains of IBV. Generating vaccine viruses with greater heat resilience could enhance protection by improving levels of replication to prime the immune system more effectively, findings which could potentially be applicable to other coronaviruses.

We are a step closer in the race to develop a vital vaccine for African swine fever (ASF), a haemorrhagic disease in pigs with up to 100 percent mortality. In a recent trial, published in Vaccines , pigs immunised with the new vaccine survived a lethal dose of ASF virus, although some clinical signs of disease were seen. The vaccine uses a non-harmful virus (a vector) to deliver eight strategically selected genes from the ASF virus (ASFV) genome into pig cells. Once inside the cell the genes produce viral proteins which primes the pig immune cells to respond to an ASF infection. One of the benefits of this type of vaccine is pigs that are infected can be differentiated from those that have been vaccinated (DIVA), which means it does not affect trade of vaccinated animals.

RESPIRATORY VIRUS STEALS PROTEINS TO EVADE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Viruses have evolved many ways to avoid detection by the immune system. A recent study reveals that bovine and human respiratory syncytial viruses (bRSV and hRSV respectively) steal a protein that is important for the antiviral response, holding it hostage to prevent cells signalling for help from the immune system. bRSV causes respiratory infections in cattle, which can result in severe illness associated with bronchiolitis and pneumonia in calves. hRSV causes similar infections in humans, particularly infants, the elderly and immunocompromised. Unravelling this sneaky method of escape could help us to understand how these viruses cause disease and develop methods to prevent them.

AEROSOL AND INJECTION OF FLU VACCINE IMPROVES PROTECTION IN PIGS

DOUBLE BLUETONGUE INFECTION POTENTIAL IN BRITISH SHEEP

Flu vaccine research has demonstrated that combining two different routes of administering flu vaccine, namely aerosol inhalation and intramuscular injection, provides pigs with better protection against disease than using only one method. The research which was carried out with the S-FLU vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, which triggers a strong antibody response but cannot spread since it is unable to make a vital protein needed to replicate, haemagglutinin. The exciting discovery that the pig immune response triggered by S-FLU is very different between blood and the lung could inform vaccination strategies for human flu and other respiratory diseases.

British sheep can become infected with two serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) simultaneously and midges feeding on the sheep can also become co-infected with both strains. Importantly, the findings also illustrate the potential of reassortment occurring should two serotypes circulate at the same time, which could have rapid and unpredictable outcomes on virus characteristics and behaviour such as ability to cause disease and infectivity. The research highlights the importance of understanding the potential impact of more than one serotype of bluetongue circulating in the field and will help to inform policies on vaccination and control methods to prevent disease spread.

Bluetongue affects ruminants such as sheep, goats, cattle and deer and is transmitted mainly by Culicoides biting midges. At least 27 serotypes exist, but vaccines against one type do not necessarily protect against another. Between 2006 and 2010 the most economically damaging bluetongue outbreaks in Europe were caused by serotypes BTV-1 and BTV-8, which both circulated simultaneously in France and Spain between 2008-2009.

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FLAG

COMBATTING COVID-19

PIRBRIGHT’S ROLE IN COMBATTING COVID-19

In December 2019, reports of a new kind of pneumonia were reported in China. The cause was quickly identified as a novel coronavirus, which has resulted in arguably the most devastating healthcare emergency the world has seen. Now known as COVID-19, the illness rapidly spread across the globe and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020. As governments grappled with measures that would protect their overwhelmed healthcare services, COVID-19 cases soared, as did the death toll. To date[1 ] there have been 181million cases and 3.9 million deaths.

WHICH ANIMALS CAN SARS-COV-2 INFECT?

SARS-COV-2 RESEARCH

How do SARS-CoV-2 mutations affect transmission, severity and vaccines? Pirbright is part of a new national research project to study the effects of emerging mutations in SARS-CoV-2. With £2.5 million of funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the ‘G2P-UK’ National Virology Consortium, comprising of ten partners, will study how genetic mutations in the virus affect key outcomes such as how transmissible it is, the severity of COVID-19 it causes, and the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments. Ongoing work at Pirbright is specifically investigating whether naturally acquired mutations in the spike surface protein of SARS-CoV-2 change any of the fundamental properties of this virus, such as how well it replicates.

Pirbright scientists have revealed that out of 22 animal species tested, SARSCoV-2 is able to enter the cells of dogs, cats and cattle most efficiently. This could mean that infection may be more easily established in these animals, although cell entry is only the first step of infection. Findings from this study will enable scientists to prioritise research on animals that might be susceptible to infection and have the potential to act as reservoirs for COVID-19. It also identifies those animals that could provide good experimental models for understanding the disease, such as hamsters and ferrets.

CAN ANTIBODIES PREVENT SARS-COV-2 CELL FUSION?

A new test developed by researchers at Pirbright, in collaboration with the University of Queensland and the University of Oxford, can detect antibodies that prevent cell-to-cell fusion, a method some viruses use to infect neighbouring cells. The team showed SARS-CoV-2 can induce cell fusion and that antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients could prevent cells from fusing. This enabled the team to characterise an important sub-class of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which may provide an additional indication of immunity and could be useful for future vaccine development.

WHERE DID SARS-COV-2 ORIGINATE?

The urgent need to discover more about the new coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), has seen many scientists realign their research to help fight against the pandemic. Pirbright’s history of working with livestock coronaviruses and viruses that spread from animals to people (zoonoses) ideally positioned the Institute’s scientists to aid the COVID-19 research effort. Throughout 2020, Pirbright committed to several projects that would uncover details about SARSCoV-2. A year on, our researchers have made several important discoveries, adding to the growing knowledge about the virus that will ultimately help to save lives.

SARS-CoV-2’s origin is currently unknown. Coronaviruses are common in bats and some researchers are of the view that the disease originated in bats, but how it jumped hosts to infect humans remains unclear. Pirbright researchers have identified key mutations in SARSCoV-2 that may potentially have been responsible for this cross species jump. These genetic adaptions were similar to those made by the coronavirus that caused the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003 when it adapted from bats to humans. Uncovering the common traits that allow viruses to jump between animals and humans helps us to identify potential reservoirs of disease and forewarn us of future threats.

SHARING PIRBRIGHT’S CORONAVIRUS EXPERTISE

Our coronavirus experts have contributed to a new book ,‘ Coronaviruses ’, detailing the Coronaviridae family and laboratory techniques used in the field to study them. Coronaviruses have long been known to cause devasting outbreaks and SARS-CoV-2 has further emphasised the pandemic potential of these viruses. The book provides a comprehensive collection of protocols which will help develop diagnostics, vaccines and antiviral therapeutics to manage disease outbreaks in both humans and animals.

1 Figures from Johns Hopkins University June 2021

ASSESSING COVID-19 VACCINES

TWO DOSES OF OXFORD ASTRAZENECA VACCINE MORE EFFECTIVE

In pivotal research, Pirbright scientists worked in collaboration with the University of Oxford to demonstrate that two doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine administered to pigs produce a greater antibody response than a single dose. The study provided data that supported human trials of the vaccine, which was approved for UK emergency use in December 2020 with a two-dose vaccination programme. This successful outcome demonstrates the value of pigs as a model for assessing immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines and other infectious respiratory illnesses such as flu.

TESTING NEW COVID-19 VACCINES

Pirbright’s pig model is also being used to assess new COVID-19 vaccines that are in the early stages of development. Work to assess Imperial College London’s RNA vaccine is underway and studies to evaluate the University of Oxford’s new potential vaccine against COVID-19, named RBD-Spy-VLP, have been completed.

Researchers revealed that RBD-SpyVLP produced a strong antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in mice and pigs. Antibodies were identified in samples taken from the nose and mouth of vaccinated pigs, which could be important for providing robust protection against infection. The vital information will feed into the further development of this vaccine, which could be useful as a standalone vaccine or as a booster for individuals primed with a different COVID-19 vaccine.

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COMBATTING COVID-19

SUPPORTING THE UK’S DIAGNOSTIC EFFORT

INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF NHS TEST AND TRACE STAFF

We have supported the NHS Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) and the national NHS Test and Trace programme by providing induction and training for staff joining the new Brants Bridge Lighthouse Laboratory in Bracknell. The Lighthouse Laboratory is designed to increase the UK’s COVID-19 diagnostic testing capability by processing COVID-19 samples from drive-in centres and swabs that people take at home.

Huge efforts were made to repurpose existing Pirbright laboratory facilities to support the launch of the Lighthouse Laboratory and to generate a comprehensive training programme. As home to several Reference Laboratories for viral diseases of livestock, Pirbright’s staff are well versed in high throughput diagnostic protocols and ideally placed to train the COVID-19 diagnostics team who are working in the new lab.

To recognise the tremendous support offered by Pirbright, the Lighthouse Laboratory has named one of its new testing laboratories after the Institute.

Director, Professor Bryan Charleston (right), and Head of the Non-Vesicular Reference Laboratory, Dr Carrie Batten visit the Brants Bridge Lighthouse Laboratory where a laboratory has been named Pirbright to acknowledge our support.

PROVIDING HIGH-TECH KEEPING RESEARCH ON INSTRUMENTS TRACK

Pirbright supplied 13 of its highthroughput testing instruments to the Milton Keynes COVID-19 Lighthouse Lab at the UK Biocentre. The highly specialised equipment comprised seven nucleic acid extraction robots and six polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines, which were used to detect the presence of the COVID-19 virus in samples taken from potentially infected people and/or healthcare workers.

To ensure the Institute’s critical research can continue throughout the pandemic and associated disruption, Pirbright has been awarded the UKRI COVID-19 Grant Extension Allocation (CoA). This funding supports Pirbright’s research, staff and infrastructures to enable projects to be completed as well as sustaining the talent pool that will be needed to underpin the post-pandemic, national recovery. Pirbright has assembled a CoA Allocation Committee to prioritise the funding to projects that have been most significantly impacted, allowing the continuation of essential viral disease research.

VOLUNTEERING IN DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES ACROSS THE UK Over 60 of Pirbright’s diagnostic staff and scientists volunteered to join the diagnostics and surveillance effort for COVID-19 at seven Public Health England testing sites across the country. Volunteers began working in these laboratories from 23 March 2020 and continue to work away from their families and home to support the UK’s Test and Trace efforts.

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STATE-OF-THE-ART SCIENCE

STATE-OF-THE-ART SCIENCE

STATE-OF-THEART SCIENCE

CONTROLLING EXOTIC DISEASES

Pirbright’s research into exotic livestock diseases such as African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease could not take place without the specialist high containment facilities afforded by the BBSRC National Virology Centre: The Plowright Building. The laboratories within allow scientists to study both structure and behaviour of highconsequence viruses as well as develop vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics to aid their control in countries where the diseases are prevalent. The Plowright Building has also recently enabled crucial COVID-19 research that has informed human vaccine development and clinical trials.

The high containment laboratory also houses Pirbright’s reference laboratories which are fundamental to the global control of disease and the UK’s National Capability to protect itself from devastating outbreaks. These include world reference laboratories for footand-mouth disease, rinderpest and peste des petits ruminants, as well as World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reference laboratories for African swine fever, bluetongue, goat pox and sheep pox, lumpy skin disease, Marek’s disease and swine vesicular disease. Scientists track the spread of these diseases through global surveillance programmes, and develop new and improved tools to detect and control the spread of outbreaks.

DEVELOPING VACCINES

The BBSRC National Vaccinology Centre: The Jenner Building provides a collaborative space for scientists to carry out research at a lower level of containment than The Plowright Building. It has large labs and specialised rooms for bioimaging and flow cytometry, as well as a home office licenced facility to study embryonated chicken eggs. These facilities provide a unified space for fundamental research as well as applied research, such as vaccine development.

Pirbright is a UK National Capability where fundamental research and advanced high-throughput diagnostics are carried out under high containment on diseases with the potential to severely affect national economic and food security, as well as animal and human health.

Many of the groups based in this containment level 2 laboratory work on avian diseases including infectious bronchitis virus and avian influenza, and detailed studies of the immune systems of the livestock hosts that are infected by viruses.

Many of the groups based in this that spread diseases such as Zika and containment level 2 laboratory work dengue. Research with these insects aims on avian diseases including infectious to engineer resistance to transmitting bronchitis virus and avian influenza, and viruses that could offer more targeted detailed studies of the immune systems alternatives to current disease control of the livestock hosts that are infected by methods such as environmentally harmful viruses. pesticides. The Phillip Mellor Insectary provides facilities for the production, PREVENTING INSECT DISEASE growth and maintenance of unique TRANSMISSION Culicoides midge colonies that are used Two insectaries at Pirbright provide to understand the relationship between the specific controlled environments the insect, virus and host animal. Pirbright needed to study mosquitoes and midges, supplies midges and expertise to other which spread a variety of human and researchers across the UK to help address animal diseases. The IS4L Insectary the critical shortage of insect research offers precise humidity and temperature facilities in the UK. control to support mosquito colonies

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ANIMAL FACILITIES

LIVESTOCK LABORATORIES

Animals are used in Pirbright research to gain a better understanding of viral diseases that affect millions of animals each year. High containment animal housing facilities enable researchers to study viral diseases in their natural host and how these viruses transmit between animals. These studies provide vital information for the development of vaccines, diagnostic tests and disease modelling advice to improve global animal health.

POULTRY FACILITIES

Pirbright has a long history of working with viruses that have severe impacts on the global poultry industry. Opened in November 2020, The Houghton Facility is a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) hatchery that allows us to hatch and grow poultry under very clean conditions. This maintains the disease-free status of the birds, enabling scientists to study antiviral responses in the absence of infections that could affect results, leading to the improved control of diseases that are important to the welfare of chickens and ultimately to ensure security of food supply for the UK.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Pirbright’s team of specialist animal technicians and veterinary staff are all licenced and highly trained to provide the highest levels of care possible. The dedication of Pirbright staff ensures the highest standards of animal welfare that consistently exceed the legal requirements set by the Home Office. All animal research proposals are assessed by an Animal Welfare & Ethical Review Board, which ensures scientists have considered all aspects of the 3Rs (whether they can Replace, Refine and Reduce the use of animals in research) have been considered before being submitted to the Home Office for approval.

The Institute is a signatory to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research and a member of Understanding Animal Research (UAR), which reflects the dedication of our animal services staff and scientists to inform the public about our work with animals. Pirbright was named a Leader in Openness for 2019-22 by UAR in recognition of the continuous and innovative work invested in

respond to infection.

communicating Pirbright’s animal research transparently.

The UK Immunological Toolbox, ran by researchers here and the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, provides a platform for veterinary researchers to find resources and collaborate. It features the most up-to-date and comprehensive repository of antibodies and modified proteins available from commercial companies and academic institutes. Researchers are able to freely search the location, supply and application of these immune reagents, as well as submit requests for new reagents and antibody production, providing a central hub for the veterinary community.

ESSENTIAL INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS

Specialist tools are often needed to answer specific research questions. Bioimaging is a core component of viral research, and recent funding from BBSRC UKRI has enabled Pirbright to purchase a new transmission electron microscope and a confocal microscope to upgrade existing facilities. This high-tech equipment will allow scientists to view individual virus particles and infected cells within high containment and take images of even the weakest fluorescence signals for examining the location and interactions of virus and host cell proteins. A suite of genetic sequencing and bioinformatics technology within high containment offers scientists the ability to gain in depth data about the genomes of viruses, insects and host animals. Detailed genetic information can be used for multiple purposes, such as identifying how viral strains mutate and spread for global disease surveillance and understanding how host immune systems

FUTURE PROOFING RESEARCH

Pirbright is committed to delivering world class research which requires cuttingedge facilities and the leading scientific experts. Over the coming years new high containment animal facilities will become operational and our vision is to develop a campus that can adapt to the changing requirements in viral research to deliver to the One Health agenda.

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VIRTUAL SCIENCE FOR ALL

SUSTAINABILITY

VIRTUAL SCIENCE FOR ALL

The importance of engaging the public on why scientific research is crucial in preventing and controlling diseases has never been highlighted so clearly as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pirbright’s robust public engagement programme has always focused on generating valuable faceto-face interactions with a wide range of audiences, including schools, students, farmers, and the public. However, Pirbright’s annual programme of live public engagement events has been severely restricted because of COVID-19 which has prevented all face-to-face public dialogue.

We had been selected to exhibit at the prestigious Royal Society’s Summer Science Festival 2020 to showcase our exhibit ‘Disease Detectives’, but sadly the event, along with hundreds of others, was cancelled. Ironically, months before the pandemic had emerged, we were developing an interactive exhibit that was designed to showcase the essential role scientists play in preventing and controlling potential epidemics by using research to unravel the mysteries behind viruses that cause disease, especially new and emerging zoonotic viruses (those that spread from animals to people), SARS-CoV-2 being just such a virus. The last year has made the public even more aware of the threat of disease and familiar with scientific terms like

‘R number’, herd immunity, genetic sequencing and spike proteins. So, we have taken this opportunity to rework our engagement programme to bring events online and cover scientific research, science misinformation and vaccine development. During 2020-21 Pirbright has taken part in 35 online public engagement activities, from hosting classroom talks via Zoom to exhibiting in virtual booths at online festivals.

FESTIVAL OF TOMORROW

In February 2021, Pirbright showcased its COVID-19 research in Science Swindon’s online Festival of Tomorrow. Our virtual booth provided visitors with the chance to view our cutting-edge science and explore our animal facilities via an Understanding Animal Research virtual 360° Laboratory Animal Tour. Professor Simon Graham also provided a live talk to visitors about the COVID-19 pig vaccine studies carried out at Pirbright and answered the audience’s keen questions.

INSPIRING FUTURE SCIENTISTS

As schools have adapted to online teaching, so have the careers events that we usually attend. This year, Pirbright volunteers have imparted their wisdom and experience to students through online talks and mentoring, videos, blogs and virtual fairs. This new emphasis on electronic communication has led us to expand our range of online outreach tools, helping us to inspire more students from a wider range of backgrounds to consider scientific careers than was previously possible via face-to-face interactions.

I’M A SCIENTIST

Several of our researchers took part in the ‘I’m a scientist, get me out of here’ initiative, where students from multiple schools chatted to scientists in online forums and asked questions about what they do. Students then voted for their favourite scientists in a series of knockout rounds that left the most popular scientist as winner at the end. The format is not only engaging for the students, but also specifically targets schools that are under served by higher education establishments due to their location.

SUPPORTING OLD AND NEW VOLUNTEERS

Pirbright’s engagement programme could not exist without our superb volunteers, so training is essential to support both experienced staff and students, as well as encouraging prospective volunteers. We actively encourage participation in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Learning network which connects schools with STEM Ambassadors – experts from a range of disciplines that volunteer their time to help with talks and events. This year, we organised STEM Ambassador training for 20 Pirbright staff and students, who will add valuable knowledge and skills to our pool of over 70 STEM Ambassadors. We also provided specialised training for both PhD and placement students to help them understand the importance of engagement and equip them with confidence and tools to effectively communicate with the public.

FUTURE PLANS

We will be developing more interactives including our ‘Disease Detectives’ exhibit, which will include Our scientists elements on how carried scientists act like sleuths, out public dialogue looking for clues to understand how virtually. existing and emerging viruses spread and cause disease, as well as finding ways to prevent and control outbreaks. We will be Virtaul tours show including COVID-19 and how researchers our animal are learning more about the SARS-CoV-2 research virus and how it spreads and facilities. mutates, along with developing ways to combat it. Pirbright uses animals in its research when absolutely necessary, such as testing new vaccines – we plan to hold more public dialogue events to explain why we do this and the steps we take to reduce, refine and replace animals used in our studies.

A SUSTAINABLE INSTITUTE

The Institute is committed to environmental sustainability and is undertaking a number of energysaving projects that will make a positive contribution. These will be completed over the next couple of years and will reduce energy consumption, help reduce our carbon emissions and make us more efficient. The most significant of these projects is the installation of a Combined Heat and Power Plant which will provide around 75 percent of Pirbright’s power needs on campus. The contract for this equipment has been agreed and it is anticipated that it will be fully operational in spring 2022.

The Institute will base its

environmental objectives around the UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy which drives towards a zerocarbon future by 2040.

The Institute has established an Environment and Energy Team to promote the continual improvement of energy and environment performance on the site, monitor and review the Energy and Environment policy, report on and action results of inspections and audits and provide a forum for personnel to raise queries related to energy and environmental sustainability. Due to the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns the work of this committee has been somewhat limited this year, although they have overseen the installation of charging points for electric vehicles and sown a new wildflower garden alongside the BBSRC National Vaccinology Centre: The Jenner Building. The team has recently been restructured and its remit refocused to ensure this important area is given the attention it deserves during the coming year as staff and students all return to site.

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GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 2020/21 2019/20
EMISSIONS TONNES CO2e
Scope 1: Gas 913,500 3,620,551
Scope 2: Electricity 2,792,600 2,858,250
Scope 3: Official business travel 1,700 5,577
Total emissions 3,707,800 6,484,378
Emissions per £ of grant received 0.11 0.20
ENERGY CONSUMPTION - kWh
Scope 1: Gas 3,937,196 17,466,483
Scope 2: Electricity 11,978,211 11,182,512
Scope 3: Official business travel 6,998 1,622
Total energy consumption 15,922,405 28,650,617
Consumption per £ of grant received 0.48 0.87
FINANCIAL INDICATORS
Total Energy cost - £’000 2,232 2,059
Energy cost per £ of grant received 6.685p 6.2265p
8 12
Cost of official business travel - £’000
Cost of official business travel per £ of grant received 0.0003p 0.0003p
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MANAGING RISK

MANAGING RISK

Risk management is core to the operation of Pirbright requiring specialist knowledge and an understanding from all staff and students on what a highly reliable organisation looks like and how we all play our part to ensure the Institute continues to be a centre of excellence.

MANAGING RISK AT PIRBRIGHT: A MAJOR HAZARD SITE

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extremely positive, with just a few minor improvement actions. Biorisk management at Pirbright comprises containment engineering including sealed facilities, negative air pressure cascades and HEPA air filtration, effluent treatment plant, automation and control systems etc; and operational arrangements including risk assessment, control measures and operating procedures, training and competency, waste management, transport procedures, emergency plans, audit and inspection, planned preventative maintenance and testing etc. Pirbright has all these in place, and each element is examined by a HSE planned intervention every few years. All CL4 facilities at Pirbright are less than 15 years old.

Risk management at Pirbright has three broad objectives:

Risk management at Pirbright is broadly aligned with ISO 31000 and ISO Annex L, including a Risk and Opportunities Register, Key and Safety Performance Indicators (KPIs & SPIs), and operational planning linked to the Register and to strategic objectives. The Register, KPIs and SPIs and operational plans are regularly updated and reviewed for action by Senior Leadership Board (SLB) and Trustee Directors. The Register covers operational risks (biorisk, security, cyber/IT, health and safety, environment, quality), continuity risks, and strategic risks (reputational, enterprise, financial, political). There is an internal audit programme broadly aligned with ISO 19011, covering critical risks and areas, and subject to ongoing review by SLB and Trustee Directors. Risk metrics (KPIs and SPIs) and internal audit findings together generate assurance for stakeholders. Pirbright actively maintains excellent, open and cooperative relationships with stakeholders, regulators and accreditation bodies. A comprehensive portfolio of insurance protects Pirbright and its stakeholders. Policies in place include: Property damage and business interruption; employers, public, product and management liabilities; professional indemnity; and security and cyber incident response.

ACCREDITED DIAGNOSTICS

Diagnostic surveillance at Pirbright is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 quality standard, which is required for its role as a UK National Capability and its global role as an OIE Reference Laboratory and a FAO/OIE World Reference Laboratory for some viruses. A Quality Management System ensures conformity with 17025 and increasingly further underpins risk management across the wider Institute. The annual 17025 surveillance audit of the Reference Laboratories in 2020/21 by the UK Accreditation Service gave an extremely positive outcome with no improvement actions.

to the UK and so could cause a disease outbreak if released. The authority to work with these pathogens is via a SAPO (Specified Animals Pathogens Order) licence issued and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Pirbright’s SAPO licence is at Containment Level 4 (CL4, highest level) and the Institute is a classed as Major Hazard Site. Each year there is a HSE intervention plan, and in 2020/21 there were four visits by specialist HSE inspectors scrutinising internal audit, containment and control in a sample of CL4 laboratories, major hazard leadership, and an annual performance review. There were also security inspections by specialist counter-terrorism officers. The outcome of these regulatory interventions were all

In addition to its risk management system, and the assurance arrangements and regulatory oversight, Pirbright actively works to enhance its risk control and resilience. Examples in 2020/21 include capital projects for upgrades of an effluent treatment plant, electrical supply infrastructure, containment automation and control systems and physical security infrastructure; and operational projects to enhance cyber security, to improve organisational structure and effectiveness, to develop a new competency framework, and to improve asset obsolescence and functional safety management.

REGULATED VIRUS RESEARCH

Many of the animal viruses studied at Pirbright are high consequence pathogens, in that they are not endemic

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DEVELOPING SCIENCE FOR THE FUTURE

DEVELOPING SCIENCE FOR THE FUTURE

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Pirbright is a National Capability and provides unique facilities and infrastructure to the UK to monitor and to support the control of diseases that are circulating globally and are a threat to the UK’s livestock.

DEVELOPING SCIENCE FOR THE FUTURE

Over the past ten years there has been substantial investment by UK government through BBSRC UKRI into Pirbright’s campus and infrastructure to ensure the Institute can continue to deliver its responsibilities as a National Capability and its programmes of research into highly infectious viral pathogens. The development that started about ten years ago is delivered in three phases.

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DEVELOPMENT PHASE ONE

THE PLOWRIGHT BUILDING

Development phase one encompassed the construction of a cuttingedge high-containment laboratory at a cost of £135 million to replace outdated facilities to study highly infectious viruses. The BBSRC National Virology Centre: The Plowright Building became operational in 2015 to provide diagnostics service through the Reference Laboratories and undertake fundamental research on viruses such as foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), African swine fever (ASF) and bluetongue. It was named in honour of Walter Plowright who played a key role in the eradication of rinderpest by developing a vaccine.

cladding was applied and the building topped out to ensure it was weatherproof, which was followed by the installation of mechanical services such as cabling and pipework. The Air Handling Units, Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) tanks have been installed and most of the containment coatings have been completed. Manufacture of the incinerator components is in progress, and we are expecting delivery later this year.

implemented the Construction Leadership Council guidelines and bubbles of contractors enabled building to continue throughout the year, although there is now a ten week delay due to COVID-19. New ways of working including virtual Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), which despite initial teething problems is now an efficient and carbon-friendly

THE BROOKSBY BUILDING

Construction began on Brooksby, a high containment large animal facility, in 2019 and building continued throughout 2020 under the ‘critical construction’ works designation. Post March lockdown only essential contractors and safety teams were permitted on the construction site to ensure concrete pouring (enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool - over 2,600m[3] ) could go ahead at a critical point in the project timeline. The construction site

approach to construction. By November 2020 external

Brooksby will be capable of handling highly infectious viruses that must be studied under a Specified Animal Pathogen Order (SAPO 4) including FMDV

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DEVELOPMENT PHASE TWO

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THE JENNER BUILDING

Development phase two is well underway and has already delivered important facilities to enable Pirbright to continue its research on poultry viruses and vaccine development. The first stage of this phase was the construction of a £23 million new containment level 2 energy efficient laboratory, the BBSRC National Vaccinology Centre: The Jenner Building. The laboratory has been operational since 2017 and is home to over 100 scientists working on strategically important endemic and exotic diseases which can be handled at low containment such as infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and low pathogenic influenza viruses. The building named after Edward Jenner who developed the vaccine that was used to eradicate smallpox is a leading UK vaccine development hub as well as the centre for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Livestock Antibody Hub and Immunological Toolbox.

THE BIGGS BUILDING

THE HOUGHTON FACILITY

Repurposing of an existing high containment animal facility at a cost of £7.5 million will result in a new avian research laboratory which will operate under containment level 2 for ‘i n vivo ’ research. Animal room renovations, updates to the mechanical and electrical plant and a new effluent treatment plant are nearing completion and will enable the building to open for scientific research in late 2021. The laboratory is named after Peter Biggs who was the first scientist to isolate the virus that causes Marek’s disease, a disease of poultry that has huge economic and animal welfare impact globally every year. Another project allowed the separation of Biggs from the existing high containment facility ISO11 and a £4.9 million investment in a new effluent treatment plant for ISO11 which became operational in the spring of 2021.

The £4.44 million Houghton Facility is a specified pathogen free poultry laboratory that allows scientists to carry out experiments on disease free birds. Birds are hatched from eggs within this ‘clean’ facility and rigorous biosafety protocols applied to ensure pathogens do not enter the building. Phase three of development is detailed in the Master Outline Planning Application (MOPA) and is currently in the early stages of being scoped out in more detail.

is crucial to further the development of the Pirbright Campus and will be a key component that allows sustained success in livestock and zoonotic pathogens research

and vaccine development. It is named in honour of John Brooksby who joined the Foot-and-Mouth Research Institute at Pirbright in 1939 and became Director in 1957. His laboratory was designated the World Reference Laboratory for foot-andmouth disease (FMD) in 1958.

and ASFV along with zoonotic viruses that can infect humans which are studied under ACDP3 regulations, for example Rift Valley fever virus. The animal facility has six rooms and the capacity to handle large livestock up

to 250kg. The Brooksby Building, which will cost in the region of £72 million for construction with a total project value of circa £85 million,

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PIRBRIGHT FUNDING

PIRBRIGHT FUNDING

Pirbright can only progress its research to prevent and control viral diseases of livestock with financial support from BBSRC UKRI for its two programmes of research and income from a variety of other funders. In 2020/21 the Institute Programme Grants were extended by BBSRC UKRI to 2023 and we were awarded £9,080,673 from other funding bodies including Defra, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ICRAD.

FUNDING FOR OUR RESEARCH

Scientist: Venugopal Nair

Project: The consequences of transmissible Scientists: Chris Netherton/ vaccines on disease ecology and pathogen Linda Dixon evolution: Marek’s disease virus as a case Project: Vaccines, diagnosis study (US-UK collaboration) and epidemiology for control Value: £477,500 and prevention of African swine

Scientist: Toby Tuthill

Project: Understanding RNA packaging signals in foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) for improved vaccine production Value: £385,907 (£421,812)*

Project: Vaccines, diagnosis and epidemiology for control and prevention of African swine fever

Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Transmissible vaccines are vaccines that are able to transmit between individual animals. These vaccines show great promise for disease interventions in wildlife populations as well as farmed animals that may be difficult to vaccinate such as fish or poultry. Together with Penn State University as part of the Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID) programme, scientists will investigate the effects that a potential transmissible Marek’s disease vaccine would have on the spread of disease in birds as well as the effects on Marek’s disease virus evolution.

Value: £495,901 (£1,307,501)* Funders: International Coordination of Research on Infectious Animal Diseases (ICRAD) - UK funding through Defra

Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) How do the components of footand-mouth disease virus (FMDV) assemble together to make new viruses inside an infected cell? This Scientist: Bryan Charleston project aims to answer this question Project: G2P-UK; A National and more by understanding how the Virology Consortium to address virus genome uses ‘hooks’ to latch on phenotypic consequences of to virus proteins, allowing the virus to SARS-CoV-2 genomic variation package itself up ready for exiting the Value: £194,607 (£2,520,248)* cell and infecting the next. Gaining detailed information about this critical Funder: UK Research and part of the virus lifecycle may enable Innovation (UKRI) - Medical scientists to reprogramme the viral Research Council (MRC) genome to improve on the production Pirbright is part of a new of FMD vaccines by increasing yield national research project to and/or the stability of vaccines.

There are currently no vaccines or treatments commercially available for African swine fever (ASF), a deadly pig disease. Understanding which ASF virus genes are important for replication and immune system interaction will help scientists to develop these vital disease control tools. To discover if specific genes are important for replication or evading the pig immune response, six European partners, including Pirbright, will identify the roles of around half of the 150-170 ASF virus genes. This could provide new pathways for antivirals to target or additional genes that could be used in vaccine development.

Funder: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) - Medical Research Council (MRC) Pirbright is part of a new national research project to study the effects of emerging mutations in severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). With funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the ‘G2P-UK’ National Virology Consortium, comprising of ten partners, will study how mutations in the virus affect key outcomes such as how transmissible it is, the severity of COVID-19 disease it causes, and the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments. Ongoing work at Pirbright is specifically investigating whether naturally acquired mutations in the spike surface protein of SARS-CoV-2 change any of the fundamental properties of this virus, such as how well it replicates.

Scientist: Bryan Charleston Project: Foot-and-mouth disease virus like particle vaccines for Africa Value: £419,800 (£1,092,251)* Funder: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is estimated to cost Africa over US$2 billion in direct production losses and vaccination programmes. Pirbright’s ongoing work with the University of Reading, the University of Oxford and a multinational animal health company aims to provide low cost and accessible vaccines to reduce the impact of the disease in East Africa. Further funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will enable scientists to progress key research that will tailor the vaccines to African strains of FMDV, providing a strong foundation for manufacturing them at scale and bringing them to market.

Scientist: Shahriar Behboudi Project: A novel platform for producing cell-free third generation Marek’s disease virus vaccine Value: £516,435

Scientist: John Hammond Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Project: Using CRISPR/cas9 Council (BBSRC) – Industrial gene editing for increased Partnership Award (IPA) vaccine yields in avian cell lines Around 22 billion doses of Phase II proposal Marek’s disease virus vaccine are Value: £584,500 administered to chickens every Funder: International year. The cost of vaccination is Development Research Centre very high as the vaccine must (IDRC) be grown in chicken eggs and The natural defence then stored and transported at mechanisms of chicken eggs very low temperatures using and cells used to grow poultry liquid nitrogen. Any error in vaccine viruses limit the storage and handling can amount of virus that can be reduce the effectiveness of the produced. To improve vaccine vaccine. This project aims to virus yields, Pirbright scientists produce a vaccine that can be will collaborate with multiple grown in cells and which do not international commercial require very low temperatures partners to use advanced for storage or transportation, gene editing technology thereby greatly reducing the (CRISPR/Cas9) to remove a cost and reliability of vaccine defence gene from cells that production and distribution. limits virus growth. These modified cells would then be able to support high levels of vaccine viral growth and used to quickly respond to emerging disease threats.

Scientists: Donald King and Anna Ludi Project: Improved FMD vaccine quality control Value: £826,319 (£1,055,285)*

Funder: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Scientist: Linda Dixon

This funding will enable the World Reference Laboratory for Foot-andMouth Disease (WRLFMD) at Pirbright to develop an improved pipeline that can be used to assess the quality of FMD vaccines in countries where the disease is widespread. WRLFMD scientists will develop new tests and provide technical support to ensure vaccine quality is maintained throughout the manufacturing process so that vaccinated animals are afforded the best possible protection against FMD.

Project: Vaccines, diagnosis and epidemiology for control and prevention of African swine fever Value: £899,730 Funder: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Pirbright scientists will establish important characteristics about African swine fever virus (ASFV), in order to protect the UK pig farming industry against this deadly porcine disease which has no treatments or vaccine. Researchers will investigate the virus’s survival rate in water and excrements and the role that biting flies play in ASFV transmission. This will provide vital information for decontamination procedures and will be integrated into models for disease spread within and between farms in the UK and beyond. They will also build on their successful approaches to vaccine development and improve diagnostic methods by investigating cell lines that can replace the currently used primary pig cells, contributing to 3Rs of animal research (Replace, Reduce, Refine). The research will be important for controlling an outbreak should the virus reach our shores.

Scientist: Linda Dixon Project: Exploiting novel African swine fever virus virulence factors and a porcine macrophage cell line to develop a live attenuated vaccine

Value: £813,238 (£955,741)* Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) LINK award This LINK project brings together a cutting-edge academic and industry partnership between Pirbright, the University of Plymouth and an international animal health company to rapidly progress African swine fever (ASF) vaccine development. ASF has rapidly spread across Europe and Asia, killing up to 100 percent of pigs that it infects and currently there is no licenced vaccine to prevent it. By deleting combinations of genes from the ASF virus, the team aims to create a weakened virus that primes the pig immune system and protects 80 to 100 percent of pigs from disease. They will also optimise and scale up a cell line that can be used to grow the vaccine virus.

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PIRBRIGHT INNOVATIONS

PIRBRIGHT INNOVATIONS

PIRBRIGHT INNOVATIONS

Commercial activity is an important element of the Institute’s strategy to diversify funding streams and ensure a sustainable organisation for the future. Pirbright has recently established a commercial arm, Pirbright Innovations, to capture and manage operations that attract income on business activities and services. Existing industry partnerships, licensing and patents will form part of this, including new income streams which have been introduced during the 2020-21 reporting period.

SHARING PIRBRIGHT’S down of the pandemic. With face-to-face EXPERTISE training no longer possible, members of In January 2020 Project SPirE team turned their focus to Pirbright launched the development of e-learning materials. Project SPirE E-learning courses have been created (Sharing Pirbright’s to cover a range of areas of research Expertise), expertise including African horse an initiative designed to bring its sickness virus, Newcastle disease virus, internationally recognised science and African swine fever virus, HEPA filtration training to a global audience through (Validating, Testing and Changing), and online and instructor-led courses. Having Biological Safety Cabinets (Maintenance launched in January 2020, the project and Validation). This use of virtual reality was immediately faced with the first lock has helped to provide accessible training

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courses suitable for today’s global needs and address the challenges of delivering training in the pandemic. Training has been delivered to people located in over 80 countries worldwide.

SUPPORTING COVID-19 DIAGNOSTICS TRAINING FOR BRANTS BRIDGE LIGHTHOUSE LABORATORY

Since October 2020, Pirbright staff have been heavily involved in providing training for Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services to establish a new lighthouse laboratory for COVID-19 high-throughput testing. Members of the SPirE, HSBS and QA Teams worked together to develop a General Laboratory Practice induction course which has since been delivered to over 350 people. More advanced training courses for BSPS including Spill training and Biological Safety Cabinet use were also created. Scientists from the Non- Vesicular Reference Laboratories played a critical role in assisting with the installation, set up and validation of the diagnostic equipment and have provided training on sample accessioning and on the Thermo Fisher Scientific Amplitude Solution testing rig.

COMMERCIAL ZONE

Pirbright commenced its first commercial sublet of science laboratories within its campus in February 2021 with company 272BIO who work with biotherapeutics for animal health, finding solutions with innovative biotherapies to improve veterinary medicine for both livestock and companion animals. This has taken approximately six months of negotiation with the company and with BBSRC UKRI, the lessor, and it is a significant milestone in the project which was funded initially through an Enterprise M3 investment. Not only does it bring a new income stream to the Institute but will generate new jobs within the M3 corridor.

PARTNERSHIP TRAINING

Two important collaborations were also progressed during the year. One of these, with APHA and the University of Surrey, is to explore the production of e-learning courses on exotic viral diseases of animals as training for Government and private practice vets, as well as final year veterinary students. Two courses have been produced so far for foot-andmouth disease virus (FMDV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV), both diseases of livestock with a huge impact on the

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global economy and food security. More modules are planned. The second project is a collaboration with the University of Nottingham, producing e-learning modules on viral diseases of poultry which will be accredited and form part of their planned Certificate in Advance Veterinary Practice on Poultry Health.

from GALVmed (with funding from UK aid of the UK Government) to develop African swine fever virus (ASFV) vaccine candidates. They will also investigate if a vaccine strain developed from one genotype can also protect against other circulating genotypes. If cross protection is possible, vaccination programmes would be cheaper and easier to coordinate, benefiting ASF control across sub-Saharan Africa.

DEVELOPING AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VACCINES FOR AFRICA

Reports of African swine fever’s (ASF) rapid spread through Europe and Asia often overshadow outbreaks of the deadly pig disease in African countries where the virus originated. Several different ASF virus types (genotypes) circulate in sub-Saharan Africa. To aid with the control of outbreaks, Pirbright scientists received funding

EVALUATING PROMISING AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VACCINES

An African swine fever vaccine is desperately needed to contain the devastating disease that has been decimating pig populations across the globe. New research run in partnership

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with an international animal health

company will evaluate three ASF vaccine candidates developed by Pirbright scientists to identify which is most promising for further development. They also aim to modify the selected vaccine virus to allow differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA) as well as developing the complementary DIVA test. This is essential for enabling trade in countries where outbreaks are occurring.

FOUR IN ONE VACCINE TO PROTECT POULTRY HEALTH

Vaccines that can protect against multiple diseases at once are highly desirable for the poultry industry. Pirbright researchers have developed the first stable vaccines that protect against four economically important poultry diseases in one shot. Follow-on research with a multi-national animal health company will extend and broaden the successful work to improve the effectiveness of the current vaccines and develop new vaccines that can be used in combination to protect against even more diseases.

USING CRISPR/CAS9 GENE EDITING FOR POULTRY VACCINES

The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool has the potential to revolutionise vaccine development through allowing targeted and efficient editing of vaccine viruses, making the process quicker and more flexible. Pirbright scientists have recently employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate vaccines that can simultaneously protect against multiple poultry viruses. Their latest project, funded by a small start-up animal health company based outside the UK, will use innovative CRISPR/Cas9-based tools to develop efficient vaccines that use herpesvirus of turkeys to deliver components of other viruses to poultry, stimulating their immune response against several diseases. This will not only reduce costs but will also allow vaccines to be adapted more easily to protect against circulating virus strains.

EVALUATING NEW PRRSV VACCINES

In a collaborative project between Pirbright, The Vaccine Group (TVG) and ECO Animal Health, Pirbright will assess two porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine candidates for their effectiveness at tackling the disease in pigs. The vaccines

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PIRBRIGHT INNOVATIONS

are created by using TVG technology to insert non-infectious PRRSV genes supplied by Pirbright into a benign herpesvirus, which then stimulates the immune system when delivered into animals. Generating effective vaccines against PRRSV is essential for curbing one of the most economically damaging diseases for the global pig industry, which costs European pig farmers an estimated €1.5 billion a year and those in the US approximately $600 million.

GENETIC ENGINEERING TO IMPROVE PRRSV VACCINES

Pirbright scientists are working with ECO Animal Health to develop a significantly improved inactivated porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine. The team aim to generate modified PRRSV strains and then inactivate them to create vaccine candidates. The strain modifications

NEW PATENT APPLICATIONS Pirbright has five new priority patent applications covering a range of inventions. Three patents relate to potential African swine fever vaccines, which could help to bring the devastating disease of pigs under control. Another covers a possible avian influenza vaccine for protecting poultry against the flu. The final application encompasses a novel method to prevent gene drive resistance. Gene drives are intended to spread through target populations to promote a particular genetic characteristic, so inhibiting resistance will make gene drives more durable and reliable to ensure the intended beneficial effects are realised.

EIGHT NEW PATENTS GRANTED

Eight new patents have also been granted in various countries this financial year. A patent granted in Australia covers the use of a gene editing technology to enhance the growth of vaccine viruses for avian diseases. By removing an immune system gene that reduces virus growth, cells without the gene can produce higher yields of vaccine viruses, which could make vaccine production more viable for developing countries. The invention has already been patented in Mexico, Japan, Europe, USA and South Africa.

Three more patents have been granted for an African swine fever vaccine in Eurasia, China and Africa. The vaccine is

causes COVID-19 and related viruses in a diverse range of animal species may be a critical tool to combat these potential threats. Pirbright researchers will use their highly successful pig model to evaluate the immune responses against vaccines developed by The Vaccine Group, which are intended to protect a variety of animals against COVID-19.

aim to prevent inappropriate antibody responses and enhance those that are thought to provide immunity against multiple strains of PRRSV. This ‘killed’ vaccine would offer an attractive alternative to the current generation of live vaccines, which are only partially effective against different strains and suffer from safety constraints owing to the potential for the live vaccine virus to revert back to an infectious form.

LICENCING PIRBRIGHT’S INNOVATIONS

Pirbright’s scientific innovations are of great interest to pharmaceutical and animal health companies for further development and commercialisation. This financial year the Institute signed two licences with companies to evaluate two new technologies.

PROTECTING ANIMALS AGAINST COVID-19

Vaccines can protect people against COVID-19, but it is possible that virus variants currently circulating within the human population may evade the present COVID-19 vaccines. It is also possible that the viruses could re-emerge to infect humans from new or existing animal populations. A vaccine which is able to broadly target the virus that

generated by deleting ASF virus genes that allow it to evade the pig immune system. This creates a weakened virus that can provoke an immune response, which protects pigs from natural strains 5 of ASF. These patents are in addition to a previous patent granted in the USA and NEW PATENT Europe. APPICATIONS

Two patents granted by Canada and Japan cover the development of effective •3 AFRICAN SWINE FEVER AFRICAN SWINE FEVER infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines VACCINES using genetic engineering to weaken IBV. • AVIAN INFLUENZA VACCINE The weakened virus can then be used to prime the poultry immune system against • GENE DRIVE RESISTANCE future IBV infections. Another IBV patent was accepted by India, which extends the ability of the virus to grow in multiple different cell types. This financial year, Brazil granted a patent for Pirbright’s foot-and-mouth 8 disease (FMD) vaccine. The vaccine is NEW PATENTS made of synthetic ‘virus like particles’, which imitate the FMD virus and stimulate GRANTED

This financial year, Brazil granted a patent for Pirbright’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine. The vaccine is NEW PATENTS made of synthetic ‘virus like particles’, which imitate the FMD virus and stimulate GRANTED an immune response. They have no • GENE EDITING TECHNOLOGY need for cold chain storage and can be TO ENHANCE THE GROWTH produced outside of high containment, OF VACCINE VIRUSES FOR making them far more accessible to AVIAN DISEASES low- and middle-income countries • AFRICAN SWINE FEVER where FMD circulates. The vaccine is VACCINE already patented in Vietnam, India, China, Europe, Singapore, South Africa, • INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS South Korea, Russia, Thailand, USA and VIRUS (IBV) VACCINES Indonesia, and in 2019 it was licenced • FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE to MSD Animal Health to take forward (FMD) VACCINE for development, registration and manufacturing.

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GLOBAL IMPACT

GLOBAL IMPACT

GLOBAL Pirbright’s reputation for scientific excellence continues to extend across survive. In 2020/2021 we began 48 new projects (including studentships) in IMPACT the globe enabling us to have positive different countries. Over half of these outcomes in animal health and food projects were working with partners in and economic security for millions of Belgium, Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, people who rely on their livestock to Philippines, South Africa, South Korea,

UK and the USA. We also continued to collaborate with 108 partners on 218 ongoing projects in 42 countries during the year. In addition our students were involved in over 60 projects worldwide.

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excellence continues to extend across projects (including studentships) in collaborate with 108 partners on 218 SWEDEN [@] ESTONIA [@]
the globe enabling us to have positive different countries. Over half of these ongoing projects in 42 countries during
IMPACT DENMARK [!]
outcomes in animal health and food projects were working with partners in the year. In addition our students were LITHUANIA [!]
and economic security for millions of Belgium, Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, involved in over 60 projects worldwide.
UNITED KINGDOM [DQ]
people who rely on their livestock to Philippines, South Africa, South Korea,
GERMANY [^]
IRELAND [!]
POLAND [!]
PROTECTING NEWBORN NETHERLANDS [%] CZECH REPUBLIC [!]
ANIMALS
The International Coordination SWITZERLAND [@]
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BETTER BIRD FLU VACCINES of Research on Infectious Animal
AND DIAGNOSTICS Diseases (ICRAD) supports Pirbright
HARMONISING
Pirbright is collaborating with REFERENCE LABS to work with five other research FRANCE [^]
researchers in Pakistan and Vietnam to improve avian The World Reference partners in France, Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway. Funded by ROMANIA [!]
Laboratory for Foot-and- SPAIN [#]
influenza vaccines and diagnostics BBSRC UKRI, the project is designed
Mouth Disease at Pirbright is
and transferring them to in- to develop vaccine strategies to SERBIA [@]
working with other reference
country partnered laboratories. improve the protection of new-born ITALY [%]
labs in Belgium, France, the
This will help these countries animals against two economically
Netherlands and Italy to
to reduce poultry production losses, directly benefiting farming CHINA [$] harmonise methods used for important livestock diseases: bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in GREECE [@] MONTENEGRO [!]
communities. post-vaccination monitoring. cattle, and porcine reproductive and ISRAEL [@]
INDIA [!] respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)
in pigs. ALBANIA [!]
JAPAN [@]
CANADA [@]
RUSSIA [!] SOUTH KOREA [@]
TAIWAN [!]
TURKEY [!] UNITED STATES [%]
TUNISIA [!] AZERBAIJAN [!] VIETNAM [#]
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THAILAND [!]
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NIGERIA [!] KENYA [$] PHILIPPINES [!]
AUSTRALIA [#]
PAKISTAN [!] CATCHING BITING PROTECTING BUSY BEES
STABILISING FLIES IN GHANA SOUTH AFRICA [#] QUALITY VACCINES FOR We are exploring a non-chemical BRAZIL [!] TWINNING WITH THE
VACCINES SRI LANKA [!] We are working with AFRICA approach for inhibiting deadly bee EXCHANGING PHILIPPINES
A collaboration researchers in Ghana to The World Reference Laboratory viruses with partners in the USA. POULTRY DISEASE A twinning project will enable
with Jordan will test a trap for Culicoides for Foot-and-Mouth Disease This could form part of an enhanced EXPERTISE the Institute’s experts to share
evaluate a vaccine biting midges and sand (WRLFMD) is assisting the African and sustainable integrated bee Pirbright is partnering their extensive knowledge and
stabilisation flies against traps that Union Pan African Veterinary health programme. with the National experience with laboratories
technology using use humans as bait. This Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC) Taiwan University to in the Philippines to build
a peste des petits will help to characterise in Ethiopia to establish capacity exchange knowledge capacity for African swine
ruminants (PPR) which species are present for independent evaluation of and expertise about fever testing. This is essential
vaccine. in Ghana and facilitate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) infectious bronchitis for bringing the disease under
understanding of the vaccines in Africa. Implementing virus, a devastating control and will work towards
diseases they spread. an efficient FMD vaccine quality disease of poultry. the laboratories meeting
control system will help to control specific standards that will
the disease by ensuring vaccines help them to gain reference
are as effective as possible. laboratory status for South
East Asia.
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Number of collaborations within country

X

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INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE

INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE

INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE

The coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdowns that began in March 2020 have presented challenges that none of us have had to face before - at work, at home and in our personal lives. We have all risen to these challenges and continued to deliver scientific impact throughout the year, despite the unprecedented disruption and difficulties that have tested our resilience, our stamina, and our flexibility. We are rightly proud of how well our staff and students have coped and responded in such difficult circumstances. Our priority throughout the year has been to ensure that all our staff and students have stayed safe and well, particularly when working on site. We have liaised closely with our Occupational Health partner, Cordell, to provide personal health reviews for those with underlying health conditions, and who were pregnant, as well as offering support to those staff self-isolating or impacted by COVID-19.

SUSTAINING OUR SCIENCE

Many staff continued to work physically on site throughout the pandemic in order to deliver our critical science including testing COVID-19 vaccines on animals and developing diagnostic tests which, as well as researchers, required support from operational staff to maintain key services and engineering facilities. We did not have to furlough any staff and have adapted our ways of working to minimise attendance on site, whilst seeking to maximise productivity.

Managers and leaders were actively supported and given guidance on how to help their teams, whether they were working fully remotely, on site, or a hybrid of both – a very different way of managing. Our staff and students have been able to change their working routine to best suit their personal circumstances, e.g., to accommodate childcare arrangements and caring responsibilities, whilst also fulfilling their work requirements. This has been very positively received by staff. Our

Pirbright prides itself on valuing its diverse community of staff and students, from virologists to veterinarians, cleaners to communicators and biosafety experts to biomathematicians. We all work to support each other in achieving Pirbright’s mission to eliminate viral diseases of livestock through fundamental research, vaccine development and diagnostics and surveillance.

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Pirbright volunteers
supporting delivery of
COVID-19 diagnostics in
NHS and PHE labs
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for their voluntary services and celebrated their achievement internally.

Information Services team has done an amazing job ensuring that staff could access their work from home.

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

GIVING OUR SUPPORT

Our recruitment activity was paused during the summer months and our long-term visiting scientist process was also suspended, as well staff and student travel within the UK and overseas. Nonetheless, we have been able to recruit 68 new colleagues in the last year, 49 into Science roles and the remainder spread across our other functions. We welcomed two new Science Group Leaders, who will help strengthen our Virology and Immunological Science

We are proud to say that Pirbright provided the NHS Royal Surrey Hospital and Public Health England with several volunteers who have helped to support the setting up and delivery of diagnostics throughout the pandemic, as well as training of staff to the Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services Lighthouse Laboratory at Brants Bridge. This work is ongoing. We provided several staff with recognition vouchers during the summer

expertise. We also appointed a new Director of Capability in April 2021, ahead of the retirement of our current Director of Capability in June 2021. In total 43 staff left the Institute during this period which represents an annual turnover rate of just under 11.18%, which is reflective of the national average.

REWARD AND REMUNERATION

The organisation has taken a prudent approach to staff reward and remuneration during the year with a modest pay increase of 1% implemented last September. We have this year introduced a new benefit – selling and buying of up to one week’s annual leave, which has been well received.

BREXIT has also had an impact on the Institute this year. Combined with the impact of the pandemic, this has resulted in a small number of colleagues resigning and returning to their home country. The number of overseas applicants for roles at Pirbright does not appear to have declined and we have put in place financial support to contribute to the increased immigration costs. We hope this will help us to continue to attract the best talent to Pirbright.

DEVELOPING MANAGERS

WELLBEING

In supporting our staff wellbeing, our focus has been to introduce a range of options which could be remotely accessed as we were not able to deliver these physically. Mental wellbeing was prioritised with topics covered including:

These activities were in addition to our annual Wellbeing Calendar which is published on the intranet.

Engagement Action Plan arising from our last staff survey has been achieved but the pandemic has prevented us from progressing all the actions. A staff survey will take place next financial year (202122) along with a specific COVID-19 survey to assess the effectiveness of Pirbright’s response and COVID-19 secure site management and how the pandemic has impacted our staff/students.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Committee has been actively promoting this important area throughout the year. We have reviewed and updated our ED&I strategy and policy and identified key topics of focus, many in recognition of national/international events. Children on the Edge, the staff ‘charity of the year’ was introduced in January 2021 following a staff vote. The Committee raised over £800 by completing over 2 million steps in March. Fundraising efforts will be increased on site as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Following the appointment of new Trustee Board members, our gender balance has been positively impacted with female Trustee membership increasing from 21.5% to 36.4% during the year.

Our Gender Pay Gap reduced this year to a mean of 14.2% and median of 8.1%. 2020 : We have increased the gender diversity Total: 14 within our Trustee Board membership, Male: 11(78.5%) with three of the four new appointees Female: 3(21.5%) being women. We have developed more Chair: Male guidance for managers in supporting staff to avail of our suite of family friendly 2021 : policies. Total: 11 Our work towards our next Athena Male: 7 (63.6%) SWAN application continues, and we are Female:4(36.4%) aiming for the Silver Award in 2021/22. Chair: Male

Our work towards our next Athena SWAN application continues, and we are aiming for the Silver Award in 2021/22. Some progress on our Employee

STAFF/STUDENT PROFILE AND GENDER BREAKDOWN

An overview of our staff profile is shown below:

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Female staff
Total 187 (50.1%)
Students
60
Total
Students
and Staff –
433
Total Staff Male staff
373 186 (49.9%)
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Total part
Male
time staff
students
34 (9.1%)
24 (40%)
Female Total full-
students time staff
36 (60%) 339 (90.1%)
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PEOPLE AT PIRBRIGHT

PEOPLE AT PIRBRIGHT

TOP TALENT

DR MIKE JOHNSON RETIRES

After 13 years of service at the Institute, Dr Mike Johnson will retire this summer as Director of Capability. Having overseen major development projects at Pirbright and led the Capability Directorate which includes Estate Management Services, Animal and Research Services and Development Project Team. Mike moved to the UK from Australia to join the Institute as Head of The Pirbright Laboratory and Head of Estates. Key development projects that Mike was responsible for includes the BBSRC National Virology Centre: The Plowright Building, the BBSRC National Vaccinology Centre: The Jenner Building and Houghton Facility, a specified pathogen free poultry facility, which are all part of Pirbright’s Master Plan for future development on the site. Mike will return to his native Australia and we wish him a happy and healthy retirement.

DR SIMON CARPENTER NEW DIRECTOR OF CAPABILITY

Dr Simon Carpenter was appointed to the Director of Capability in March 2021. Simon, who was previously Head of the Entomology research group at Pirbright and leads the Core Capability Grant (CCG) funded by BBSRC UKRI that provides approximately £12m per year to deliver the facilities and

infrastructure to support our science, took up the position in April. Simon’s strong science background and experience in leading the CCG grant means he is ideally placed to take on this new role and become a member of Pirbright’s Senior Leadership Board (SLB).

Recruitment of top talent and investment in our staff and students is a priority at Pirbright. World-class researchers and specialist support staff enable the Institute to deliver its cutting-edge research, diagnostics and surveillance.

KEVIN MARINGER GROUP LEADER: FLAVIVIRUS TRANSMISSION AND PATHOGENESIS

DR CHRISTOPHER SANDERS FELLOW: ENTOMOLOGY

Dr Christopher Sanders joined Pirbright fifteen years ago, back in 2006, as a postdoctoral scientist. His role at that time was to look at the long-distance flight potential of Culicoides biting midges and, although his role has changed significantly since then, he still works with midges.

Dr Kevin Maringer joined the Institute as a Group Leader at the beginning of October 2020 and will lead the new Flavivirus Transmission and Pathogenesis Group. A virologist

and immunologist, Kevin started working on flaviviruses as a Sir Henry Wellcome postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He joined the Institute from the University of Surrey, where he set up his own research group focussed on dengue virus-host interactions, with a primary interest in virusimmune interactions in the mosquito.

Chris has taken up a research Fellow position and now heads up the Entomology group at Pirbright where he will continue to investigate the role of insect vectors in virus transmission to understand how they determine the emergence, spread and persistence of virus outbreaks and how we might minimise the impact of vector-borne disease.

NICK KNOWLES CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AT PIRBRIGHT Congratulations to Nick Knowles, Head of the Molecular Epidemiology team in the World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (WRLFMD), for an astonishing 50 years of service to the Institute.

DR WILHELM GERNER GROUP LEADER: T CELL BIOLOGY

Dr Wilhelm Gerner previously worked at the Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna in Austria. His research focused on basic aspects of T cell and NK cell biology in pigs (cells involved in the immune response). His most recent research focuses on T follicular helper cells, which support B cells to generate effective antibodies. Now at Pirbright, Wilhelm will lead the T cell Biology Group at Pirbright which involves research in both pigs and cattle.

Nick joined the then Animal Virus Research Institute as a Scientific Assistant, on 8 February 1971, shortly before his 17[th ] birthday and has served under ten Institute Directors, eight Heads of the WRLFMD and has published over 200 papers. During his long career at Pirbright he has become an internationally renowned expert for his pioneering work to characterise foot-andmouth disease virus (FMDV) and many other picornaviruses. He truly has an encyclopaedic knowledge of historical FMD events and his contribution to monitoring the global epidemiology of FMD has been previously recognised with a medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

PERSONAL PROMOTIONS

LIZELLE GOUVERNEUR KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AND COMMERCIALISATION MANAGER Lizelle joined the Institute in 2013 in the Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation (KEC) team. The KEC team works closely with

research groups, reference laboratories and other

operational teams to manage the Institute’s intellectual property portfolio and support engagement with external partners, especially industry. Lizelle is looking forward to supporting the establishment of Pirbright Innovations, the Institute’s wholly-owned trading subsidiary, and enabling the full exploitation of our research for social and economic benefit.

Pirbright’s Personal Promotion scheme provides our staff with an opportunity to move to a higher grade based on consistently excellent performance and personal contribution to the Institute. Our Personal Promotion Scheme had a high number of applications this year and 12 people were successfully promoted through this process – with a 50/50 split in gender. We continue to support the apprenticeship scheme and were pleased that several completed their training and were successful in securing positions at the Institute in Engineering and HR.

DR MARION ENGLAND ASPIRING APPRENTICE SENIOR POSTDOCTORAL JAMES GASKELL SCIENTIST Marion joined Pirbright in 2013 as four years ago as an electrical a postdoctoral research scientist apprentice within our Estate in the Entomology Group to run a network of surveillance traps for Culicoides vector attitude, attention to detail population monitoring, and to and commitment to his role led maintain expertise in both Culicoides to him being shortlisted in the taxonomy and ecology. She has 2021 Top 6 UK Apprentices after long-standing collaboration with the being nominated by his college, Zoological Society of London (ZSL),

James Gaskell joined Pirbright four years ago as an electrical apprentice within our Estate Management Services (EMS) department. His professional attitude, attention to detail and commitment to his role led to him being shortlisted in the 2021 Top 6 UK Apprentices after being nominated by his college, Farnborough Technical College (Aldershot Campus).

carrying out extensive Culicoides collections to understand the risk that viruses such as bluetongue, Schmallenberg and African horse sickness pose to susceptible animals in zoo collections. Marion also advises Defra on the risk of bluetongue virus posed by the windborne incursion of infected Culicoides and how this risk varies throughout the year. As vice-chair of Pirbright’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) Marion is passionate about driving forward positive cultural and behavioural change within Pirbright. Marion’s commitment and dedication were recognised last year through her promotion to Band E and now works in the Transmission Biology group.

James has now transitioned into working within the Building Monitoring Services (BMS) team specialising in building automation and control systems to further enhance his knowledge and expertise. James has been a prime example of how effective training and mentoring can allow an individual to prosper and gain key industry skills and experience.

Promotions were also awarded to the following staff: Amin Asfor Antonello Di Nardo Clare Browning John Flannery Jurkea Gould Michael Boylan Pengxiang Chang Priscilla Tng Vishi Avalakuppa Papi Reddy Will Larner

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PIRBRIGHT’S PEOPLE

PIRBRIGHT’S PEOPLE

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

STAFF AWARDS

The 2020 Institute staff awards recognised and celebrated teams who have consistently made a difference to work and life at Pirbright, by going above and beyond during an exceptionally challenging year.

Nominations were shortlisted by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (ED&IC) based on the following criteria and voted on by Institute staff:

The Institute, its scientists and staff received a variety of prestigious awards last year, recognising Pirbright’s scientific and operational commitment to excellence.

Innovation: using pigs as a respiratory disease model for vaccine testing Excellence in scientific research Extra mile: The team worked extremely long hours during the pandemic, putting aside personal commitments to complete the COVID-19 vaccine pig studies.

TEAM OF THE YEAR: PRRS IMMUNOLOGY

Professor Simon Graham’s team Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Immunology were awarded Team of the Year and received a certificate and monetary gift. The group undertook testing of COVID-19 vaccine candidates in pigs which significantly contributed to the development of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine which millions of people have received. The values demonstrated included: Passion: an unwavering commitment to science and vaccine development. Reliability : completing the studies in challenging conditions

Six further teams were shortlisted in the nominations:

• Animal Services

• Communications

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© Edward Brydon
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Fieldwork
testing portable
diagnostics for
foot-and-mouth
disease virus with
the Maasai Tribe
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preventing further spread and halting existing outbreaks by providing scientists and farmers with tools to tackle FMD. Renewal of this status with the FAO acknowledges decades of hard work and experience to contribute to the development of effective diagnostics, vaccines and control strategies. First designated in 1958, the WRLFMD recently commemorated 60 years as the FAO World Reference Laboratory, marking a historic point in the Institute’s accomplishments, and celebrated the contributions of the many scientists at the Institute whose work provides a vital service in the surveillance and control of FMD.

RENEWAL OF WORLD REFERENCE LABORATORY STATUS

The Vesicular Disease Reference Laboratory team achieved renewal of its status as the FAO World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (WRLFMD) for a further four years. Pirbright’s status as the World Reference Laboratory involves leadership in global projects aiming to control foot-andmouth disease (FMD) through large scale surveillance programmes as well as coordinating a network of 15 reference centres across the world. These programmes help by providing diagnostic support and training to countries where the disease is endemic,

MEDAL OF

STUDENT PLACEMENTS A SUCCESS

APPRECIATION

Pirbright’s donation of high throughput diagnostic equipment to support the UK’s COVID-19 testing programme in 2020, has been recognised with a medal and letter of thanks awarded by the Alderley

Eight undergraduate students joined Pirbright in August 2019, to undertake a 12-month placement as part of their degree. The students from universities across the country including Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, and Reading presented their work and achievements in July 2020 at the end of their time at Pirbright.

Park Lighthouse Laboratory in Cheshire which received one of the testing instruments. As well as equipment, Pirbright also offered specially trained diagnostic scientists as volunteers to work at testing sites across the UK. The Alderley Lighthouse Laboratory recently reached a testing milestone, processing its six millionth sample, with Pirbright’s equipment contributing to a sizeable proportion of those patient samples.

The students’ positive attitude and determination to achieve, despite a considerable amount of time out of the lab, shone through in their presentations. Well done to Ellie Hayhurst, Emma Benham, Isaac Dowell, Lucy Tate, Matthew McKeating, Matthew Thomas, Sian Wells and Zoe Hargreaves.

NEW SCITECH IN LIVESTOCK RESEARCH

CN BIO INNOVATIONS

Dr Yaoyao Zhang undertook four weeks of intensive training, at CN Bio Innovations, a Cambridgebased bioengineering company, to incorporate new technology and skills into her own research at Pirbright. Dr Zhang’s training involved learning how CN Bio’s PhysioMimix™ cell culture technology works – a clever microphysiological system that allows scientists to mimic tissues and organs in the lab, thus reducing the use of animals in research. Although originally designed for human tissues, Dr Zhang will be adapting the system for use with animal cells so that it can be used at Pirbright to aid research into livestock viral diseases. The training was made possible by a Flexible Talent Mobility Account (FTMA) Innovation Fellowship, supported by BBSRC part of UKRI. The funding enables researchers to spend time in different industries to learn new skills and transfer knowledge between organisations.

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DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS

DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS

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DEVELOPING
THE NEXT
GENERATION
OF
SCIENTISTS
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imposter syndrome, secrets of successful CVs and interview skills, writing a paper with impact and viva workshops. The students have also been very proactive at supporting each other, particularly during periods of lockdown and they have organised some fantastic virtual social events during the year. These proved to be very popular and helped to forge a sense of community and highlighted some creative abilities! Events included: themed painting and photograph competitions, a 1920s Murder Mystery games evening, a Halloween quiz and a Christmas gingerbread house making competition.

represent a valuable work experience for the students, and they are often involved in writing papers on the research work conducted. Placements are also valued by our Group Leaders as a hardworking, valuable academic resource. The students present at the Pirbright Placement Day in July and the standard is always very high.

STUDENTSHIPS

Pirbright has a diverse and energetic student community, which is comprised of more than 60 PhD students, MSc research project students, BSc year-in-industry students and undergraduate veterinary students. We offer our students so much more than basic benchwork research skills - our transferable skills training courses are combined with a Careers Day and the opportunities to attend placements off-site with other universities and organisations, providing them a wealth of possible choices following graduation. A large number PhD of students have inevitably lost time at the bench due to the ongoing pandemic which has resulted in increased anxiety and confusion about the future of their studentships. We have worked tirelessly throughout the year to provide pastoral and academic support during lockdown, and all students who required an extension have been granted the extra time and funding.

RECRUITMENT

Recruitment has of course been virtual throughout 2020 and 2021 it has worked very well. We do not feel that anyone has been put at a disadvantage, which is important in terms of equal opportunities. In fact, we are considering continuing this because it makes interview days easier to organise, and staff and students save time and money on not having to travel. In this case, we would run an interview virtually and then call the top two candidates to visit the Pirbright campus and meet the research team before making a final decision.

STUDENT PLACEMENTS

The placement student scheme at Pirbright has been enhanced in recent years – originally this was a scheme for just two students per year from the University of Surrey, but it has now grown to 12 students from August 2020 to July 2021, and 14 students will be joining us in August 2021. We advertise our placements to around 20 universities directly (where we know they have suitable degree courses with a placement / year-in industry) and on our website. Placements

Student training courses continued to run throughout the year, with both trainers and students having to adapt to a virtual learning environment. Courses included presentation skills, developing professional researcher networks,

BREXIT has had an impact on PhD studentships this year (from Jan 2021, so affecting the Oct 2021 cohort intake). Before BREXIT, only UK and some European students were eligible for PhD

studentship funding, but the changes now mean that international students can also apply, provided they can pay the difference between home and international university tuition fees. As such it is likely that we will receive a higher number of applications per studentship, opening up opportunities to a wider pool of international candidates.

Technician apprentice

DEVELOPING STAFF

Staff development continued throughout lockdown with training moving to online delivery. Workshops were provided on: Mental wellbeing and resilience; Understanding and managing stress; Sleep is vital – how to get better sleep; and Active bystander training.

FUTURE INNOVATORS

As part of the National Productivity Investment Fund awarded to Pirbright in 2019 (from BBSRC UKRI for the development of entrepreneurial and innovation skills in early career researchers) we teamed up with Skillfluence Ltd to deliver a Future Innovators Masterclass. We had a great uptake of 23 postdocs and final year PhD students who followed this six-week interactive programme supported by guest speakers from industry.

SHARING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

APPRENTICESHIPS

Secondments and training between Pirbright and commercial partners provide an excellent opportunity for early career post-doctoral scientists to develop industry skills and explore different job roles. Pirbright researchers were paired with a variety of companies in different industries, such as intellectual property and technology management, the poultry industry and biotechnology. We also took on a scientist from a farm animal vaccine company in Jordan to share our expertise in the development of poultry vaccines.

Pirbright runs an extremely successful apprenticeship scheme covering a wide range of career areas within the Institute including engineering, Finance, HR, Learning and Development, IT and health & safety and biosafety. Our apprenticeship scheme last year included:

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FINANCIAL CHARTS

FINANCIAL REVIEW

FINANCIAL CHARTS

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CAPITAL AND
OTHER INCOME £3.6M MAINTENANCE
GRANTS £43.9M
2020-2021
INCOME £80.7M
BBSRC UKRI
STRATEGIC
AND RESEARCH
GRANTS £21.9M
DEFRA GRANT £4.9M
OTHER
RESEARCH
GRANTS £6.4M
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2020-2021 EXPENDITURE £48M

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RESEARCH RESEARCH AND
STAFF COSTS INFRASTRUCTURE
£13.6M COSTS £13.5M
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OTHER
RESEARCH
COSTS £6.3M
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INCOME

Total incoming resources amounted to £80.7m (2020: £60.1m). Investment in tangible fixed assets in the year totalled £36.7m (2020: £21.4m). This was substantially funded by grants from the Institute’s principal sponsor Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council part of UK Research and Innovation (BBSRC UKRI), Defra and other grant awarding bodies. The change relates to both an increase in capital funding (£18.5m), and non-capital income being £37.0m in 2021 compared to £34.9m in 2020.

EXPENDITURE

Recurrent expenditure for the year amounted to £48.0m (2020: £45.6m) Staff costs accounted for £18.1m (37%) (2020: £17.1m; 37%) of expenditure. The rise in staff costs from 2020 relates to the pay award for the year.

CASH AND TERM DEPOSITS

Cash and terms deposits at March 2021 were £42.4m (2020: £40.7m). Pirbright deposits its cash with UK registered financial institutions. Investment income from cash deposits in the year was £0.1m (2020: £0.3m).

GRANT PROPOSALS

During the year, Pirbright researchers submitted grant proposals with a sponsor value of £20.1m (2020: £40.0m) and were awarded grants with a value of £9.5m (2020: £19m).

GOING CONCERN

The Trustees have reviewed whether it is appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on a going concern basis. The Institute has in principle received its five-year strategic grant funding from BBSRC UKRI, £15m per annum; this award runs from 5 April 2017 to March 2022. The Institute has now been advised by BBSRC UKRI that the grant period will be extended for a sixth year to March 2023. This source of confirmed funding, the consistent performance of attracting income from other funding bodies, the successful occupation of new laboratory facilities and the development of a business plan that is built on an income stream that is very likely to be achievable, provides a high degree of confidence of future financial security. Having considered the risks in

respect of future funding, financial forecasts for the period to March 2023 and the level of reserves, the Trustees have concluded that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

DESIGNATED FUNDS

for the period to March 2023 and the level of The use of the unrestricted designated fund reserves, the Trustees have concluded that it as set out in note 15 comprises sums set remains appropriate to prepare the financial aside for specific purposes as decided by the statements on a going concern basis. Trustees to support ongoing non-operational activity and the continued development of the NET MOVEMENT IN RESERVES Pirbright site in support of the construction The Pirbright Institute recorded a net increase programme. in unrestricted reserves of £1.9m. (2020: £1.0m decrease) There was a £0.5m decrease in the RESTRICTED NON-ENDOWMENT designated reserve with the general reserve FUNDS increasing by £2.4m. Due to the phasing of The Institute has been undertaking a the Pirbright Development Programme, the significant building programme within the restricted reserves increased by £30.8m. (2020: Pirbright site for which funding has been £15.5m). Capital expenditure in the year was received from BBSRC UKRI. The funding of this £36.7m (2020: £21.4m). There has been an programme is via grants which are held within ongoing major development of the Pirbright the restricted funds and comes to a total of site which has resulted in building new £317.2m. This funding is solely and specifically laboratory facilities and providing additional granted for the purpose of the building state of the art science equipment. programme hence the inclusion within the

The Institute has been undertaking a significant building programme within the Pirbright site for which funding has been received from BBSRC UKRI. The funding of this programme is via grants which are held within the restricted funds and comes to a total of £317.2m. This funding is solely and specifically granted for the purpose of the building programme hence the inclusion within the restricted fund and mostly this represents the value of the buildings which have been constructed.

RESERVES POSITION

Total Institute reserves increased by £32.7m in the year to £330.6m (2020: £14.5m to £298.0m). Restricted reserves increased by £30.8m (2020 £15.5m) to £320.6m (2020: £289.8m), of which £320.6m relates to capital reserve in connection with funding received from BBSRC UKRI (2020: increased by £15.5m to£289.8m). Unrestricted reserves increased by £1.9m (2020: £1.0m decrease) in the year to £10.0m (2020: £8.1m), of which £2.5m relates to a designated reserve to support ongoing non-operational activity and £7.5m to general reserves.

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

Section 162a of the Charities Act 2011 requires charities to make a statement regarding fundraising activities. Although we do not undertake direct fundraising from the general public, with the legislation defining fundraising as “soliciting or otherwise procuring money or other property for charitable purposes”, we have to disclose the value of such income in the year. We have received no such income during the current or previous financial year.

RESERVES POLICY

Unrestricted funds

It is the policy of the Trustees to ensure the General Fund in the Unrestricted Reserves reaches £4.5m by the end of the current business plan cycle being 2021/22 to enable the Institute to manage fluctuations in income and unforeseen cost pressures. At 31 March 2021 unrestricted general funds showed a surplus of £7.5m (2020: surplus of £5.1m) reaching the target as set by the Trustees. It is anticipated that over the coming years it will be possible for the Institute to undertake further development of science activity to enhance the overall sustainability and improvement of activity. The redevelopment of the site will also provide the world class facilities required to ensure the Institute is best placed to succeed in future grant submissions.

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TOTAL RESTRICTED
RESOURCES
EXPENDITURE
£14.6M
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FLAGTRUSTEES’ REPORT

TRUSTEES’ REPORTFLAG

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

MEMBERS

Members of the Institute are as follows: Chair of the Trustee Board Chair of the Science Advisory Board BBSRC UKRI National Farmers’ Union Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

ORGANISATION AND GOVERNANCE

The Pirbright Institute is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The Annual Report provides information for legal purposes of the charity, its business activities and its main achievements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of the Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standards applicable to the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), effective 1 January 2015.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND ITS INTERESTS

The Directors of the Trustee Board during the year were:

Professor John Stephenson – Chair Professor Vince Emery – Deputy Chair and Chair of Risk and Assurance Committee Roger Louth – Chair of Finance and Audit Committee

Sir Bertie Ross – resigned March 31 2021, Chair of Nominations and Governance Committee

Ian Bateman

Ian Black

Rona Chester (appointed - January 1, 2021) Jon Coles

Alison Hardy (appointed - January 1, 2021) Dr Paul Logan (appointed - January 1, 2021) Dr Vanessa Mayatt OBE (resigned - December 31, 2020)

Dr Sandy Primrose (resigned - August 10, 2020) Jane Tirard

Trustee Directors are appointed by the existing Trustee Directors for a period of up to three years, when they are eligible for re-

appointment for a second term.

The purpose of the Trustee Board is to ensure that the Institute carries out its purpose for the public benefit in accordance with its memorandum, articles of association and governing law. The main focus of the Trustee Directors is on leadership, strategy, performance, and assurance with focus on maintaining Pirbright’s reputation, staff and infrastructure whilst protecting the Institute’s sustainability.

Furthermore, the Trustee Directors must act in the Institute’s best interests; they must ensure that the Institute’s resources are managed responsibly; they must act with reasonable care and skill; they must ensure that the Institute complies with all statutory accounting and reporting requirements; and they must meet the oversight requirements expected of a major hazard site.

The Trustee Board has established three committees to support it in its work: the Finance and Audit Committee, the Risk and Assurance Committee and the Nomination and Governance Committee and work closely with the Institute Director and senior management of the Institute to achieve its aims.

Trustee Directors and co-opted members are required to declare any conflicts or potential conflicts of Interests at Trustee Board and committee meetings, and these are recorded in the minutes. During the year, no Trustee Director declared a conflict of interest. Depending on the conflict, the Chair may require a Trustee Director or co-opted member to either leave the meeting, or not take part in a discussion or decision on a particular Issue.

The Trustee Board has also established a Scientific Advisory Board, comprised of independent leading scientists, to provide advice, guidance, and recommendations regarding the scientific strategy and direction of the Institute. In addition, the Science Advisory Board provides assurance to the Trustee Board on the quality of science and research, the relevance and importance of the strategy, and advise on the Institute’s positioning within the international scientific landscape.

BOARD/ REMIT COMMITTEE

Trustee Board To ensure that the Institute

carries out its purpose for the public benefit in accordance with its memorandum, articles of association and governing law.

BOARD/
COMMITTEE		 REMIT
Trustee Board To ensure that the Institute
carries out its purpose
for the public beneft
in accordance with its
memorandum, articles of
association and governing
law.
Finance
and Audit
Committee		 To provide assurance and
advice to the Board in
relation to the Institute’s
fnances and other assets;
business planning and
corporate reporting; the
Institute’s strategic risks;
and the statutory external
audit and the programme of
internal audits covering the
corporate functions
Nominations
and
Governance
Committee		 To provide assurance to
the Board in relation to
all governance matters,
with the aim of obtaining
the highest possible
standard of governance and
compliance.
Risk and
Assurance
Committee		 To provide assurance to the
Board on the arrangements
to meet legal duties and
to manage risk within
the Institute, working in
consort with the Risk and
Assurance Strategy and
Plan, to oversee all risk
management systems,
controls and processes that
may have an impact on the
Institute’s ability to meet its
objectives.

TRUSTEES’ INDEMNITY INSURANCE

The Institute maintains liability insurance for its Trustee Board, with an annual aggregate cover limit for all claims against them in that capacity. The Trustees have also been granted a qualifying third-party provision under section 233 of Companies Act 2006. Neither the Institute’s indemnity nor insurance provides cover in the event that a Trustee Director is proved to have acted fraudulently or dishonestly. The premium and related costs in respect of this policy were £20,432, (2020: £14,924). The Trustees are satisfied they have complied with their duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission. Based on this guidance, and as described in the Trustees’ Report, the Trustees believe the activities of The Pirbright Institute to be charitable in nature.

TRAINING OF TRUSTEES

The Institute continually reviews its practices for induction and ongoing Trustee training. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP BOARD

The Trustee Board consider that the Senior Leadership Board (SLB) is accountable for Institute strategy, risk mitigation and governance of day-to-day operational delivery. The SLB comprising the Institute Director and the Directorate heads; namely Director of Risk and Assurance, Director of Capability and Director of Finance and Company Secretary. The remuneration and benefits of the SLB is based on the agreed and recognised salary banding for the Institute and reviewed annually.

RELATED PARTIES

The Institute’s subsidiary undertaking, Pirbright Innovations Limited, (formerly Avrico Limited), last traded in 2003 and is currently dormant. Avrico Limited was formed as part of the Institute’s role in the 2001 UK footand-mouth disease outbreak and provided diagnostic and testing services to Defra. Genomia Management Limited was formed on 16 April 2004 and is also a company limited by guarantee. The company was established by way of grants from the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills and the European Regional Development Fund. The company manages the Genomia Fund the objective of which is to assist in the development of research output from the members into commercially realisable opportunities. The Institute has equal membership in this company with The Roslin Foundation, Moredun Research Institute, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

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FLAGTRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

AUDITOR’S REPORTFLAG

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees who are also Directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report incorporating the Strategic Report in accordance with applicable law and

and disclose with reasonable accuracy

of the charitable company for the at any time the financial position of the purposes of company law are responsible company and enable them to ensure that for preparing the Trustees’ Report the financial statements comply with the incorporating the Strategic Report in Companies Act 2006. It is also responsible accordance with applicable law and for safeguarding the assets of the regulations. charitable company and hence for taking Company law requires the Trustee reasonable steps for the prevention and Board to prepare financial statements detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Company law requires the Trustee Board to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustee Board has elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable laws), including FRS102 (the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland). Under company law the Trustee Board must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.

The Trustee Board confirms that:

The Report of the Trustees incorporating the Strategic Report was approved and signed on behalf of the Trustee Board.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustee Board is required to:

The Trustee Board is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions

Professor John Stephenson

Trustee Director

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 20 July 2021

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Opinion on the financial statements In our opinion, the financial statements:

concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charitable Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

We have audited the financial statements of The Pirbright Institute (“the Charitable Company”) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the principle accounting policies, the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the cash flow statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

OTHER INFORMATION

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and Accounts, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The other information comprises the Trustees Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Charitable Company in accordance with the ethical requirements relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Other Companies Act 2006 reporting

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

CONCLUSIONS RELATED TO GOING CONCERN

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going

Strategic report prepared for the purposes of Company Law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Charitable Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatement in the Strategic report or the Trustee’s report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion;

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the Charitable Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable,

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FLAGAUDITOR’S REPORT

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIESFLAG

matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the Charitable Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have been appointed as auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the Charitable Company and the sector in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to its registration with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) – under licence from the Home Office. We considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the Financial Statements or the charity’s continued operation. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements such as relevant companies acts and charities acts in the UK.

We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to posting

inappropriate journal entries to manipulate financial results and management bias in accounting estimates.

The audit procedures to address the risks identified included:

We challenged assumptions made by management in their significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to the assumptions related to the estimated useful economic life of tangible fixed assets and assessment of the risks and rewards of ownership of the leasehold land and buildings owned by third parties.

We did not identify any matters relating to irregularities, including fraud. As in all of our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journals including those which potentially impact remuneration and other performance targets and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by management or Those Charged with Governance that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial

statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located at the Financial Reporting Council’s (“FRC’s”) website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

USE OF OUR REPORT

This report is made solely to the Charitable Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charitable Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charitable Company and the Charitable Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

James Aston (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor Gatwick Date: 26 July 2021

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Institute’s financial statements.

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities:

Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The Institute meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

GOING CONCERN

The Trustees have reviewed whether it is appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on a going concern basis. The Institute has in principle received its five-year strategic grant funding from BBSRC UKRI, £15m per annum. This award runs from 5 April 2017 to March 2022. The Institute has now been advised by BBSRC UKRI that the grant period will be extended for a sixth year to March 2023.

This source of confirmed funding, the

consistent performance of attracting income from other funding bodies, the successful occupation of new laboratory facilities and the development of a business plan that is built on an income stream that is very likely to be achievable, provides a high degree of confidence of future financial security.

Having considered the risks in respect of future funding, financial forecasts for the period to March 2023 and the level of reserves, the Trustees have concluded that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Institute is exempt from the requirement

to prepare consolidated financial statements by virtue of section 405(2) of the Companies Act 2006 as the result of its dormant subsidiary undertaking, Pirbright Innovations Limited, is not material for the purposes of providing a true and fair view.

Accordingly, these financial statements present information about the Institute as an individual entity and not its group.

The associated company, as detailed in note 10, has also been excluded from the consolidation on the grounds of this being immaterial to the Institute’s financial statements.

INCOME

Income comprises unencumbered grants received from research councils; grant income from collaborative, commissioned and competitively awarded research projects; income from miscellaneous charitable activities; commercial and residential rents from the letting of Institute controlled property; and interest earned on the temporary investment of surplus funds.

Income is recognised when the Institute becomes legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

All core BBSRC UKRI grants are recognised as revenue in the year they are received. Grant income including research grants received in advance of conditions being met is deferred until those conditions are fully satisfied. Rental and interest income is recognised based on the period to which it relates.

Capital grants are recognised in the statement of financial activities when entitlement passes, and once the criteria of certainty and measurement are met.

EXPENDITURE

Costs of charitable activities comprises costs incurred directly or in support of scientific research whether carried out in the Institute’s own facilities or in other laboratories. Raising funds represents the costs associated with trading and raising income including the Institute’s rental activities and tenant services and investments.

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of

Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly. Support costs, representing the staffing and associated costs of finance, personnel and general administration in supporting the operations of the Institute, are apportioned on an appropriate basis (see note 5).

RESTRICTED NON-ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Income received by way of grants, sponsorship, donation or legacy which is directed by the provider as to be applied for specific purposes is accounted for within restricted income.

Awards applied within the terms dictated by the awarding authority on the acquisition or improvement of tangible fixed assets are also accounted for within restricted non endowment funds in full. The balance of the restricted fixed asset fund is reduced by the depreciation or amortisation charges over the expected useful life of the asset. This treatment has been applied to reflect the assets being on land owned by a third party, therefore at the end of the lease they will revert to that third party (see further explanation below regarding the ownership of land and buildings). In addition, as detailed in note 19, there is a contingent liability to account to BBSRC UKRl for the net proceeds of disposal of fixed assets acquired with grant assistance and for recurrent grant in excess of the financing requirements.

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Unrestricted designated funds comprise sums set aside by the Trustees for specific purposes including the acquisition and improvement of tangible fixed assets, the presentation of scientific conferences, and contributions towards capital to be replaced using the fully economic costing policy adopted by the Institute.

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Income received which is not directed by the provider to be applied for specific purposes to an extent which exceeds the constraints of the Institute’s constitution is accounted for within unrestricted general funds.

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FLAGPRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIESFLAG

FIXED ASSETS

Fixed assets with a cost of £10,000 or more are capitalised and depreciated to their estimated residual values basis as set out below. Plant and machinery and fixtures and fittings with a cost of less than £10,000 are expensed in year of purchase.

The Institute includes in its financial statements leasehold land and buildings owned by third parties, that it occupies and enjoys through peppercorn leases, at their full value. Both leases have recently been renewed .The North side lease was renewed in December 2020 for 25 years and the South site lease for a term of 99 years. The Trustees consider that in substance the risks and rewards of ownership of the assets have passed to the Institute, and as such follow a policy of recognising the assets on the balance sheet to reflect the continuing occupancy of these assets for the foreseeable future. The only circumstance under which the Institute could be asked to vacate the site is due to a failure to deliver the required programme, which in the Trustees’ view is highly unlikely. Individual freehold and leasehold properties at the Pirbright site were revalued to fair value upon transition to FRS 102 (1 April 2014) with the surplus on book value being transferred to the revaluation reserve, except that a deficit which is in excess of any previously recognised surplus over depreciated cost relating to the same property, or the reversal of such a deficit, is charged (or credited) to the Statement of Financial Activities. The fair value at the transition date was recognised as the deemed cost of the assets.

LEASED ASSETS

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Assets acquired under finance leases are capitalised as tangible fixed assets and depreciated over their useful lives. Finance charges and interest are taken to the income and expenditure account in proportion to the remaining balance of capital repayments or net obligations outstanding.

STOCK

Laboratory consumables are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

DEBTORS

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

CREDITORS AND PROVISIONS

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Institute has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Institute only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction.

STAFF AND PENSION COSTS

Staff engaged at the Institute prior to April 2015 were previously employed by BBSRC UKRI and deployed back to the Institute. Following the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) exercise as of 1 January 2017, all BBSRC UKRI employees are now covered under the Institute’s position as a separate legal entity. The Institute therefore retains responsibility for paying employment costs in relation to all employees, including basic pay and allowances, contractual payments, tax, national insurance and pension contributions. Employees engaged prior to April 2015 remain members of the Research Councils’ Pension Scheme (RCPS), a defined benefit scheme for multiple employers. The BBSRC Employment Code remains applicable and frozen at the date of TUPE transfer. The Institute does not have any liability for pensions other than for monthly employer contributions, the rate of which is determined by the Government Actuary’s Department on a periodic basis. The cost of providing pension and related benefits is charged to the statement of financial activities. Some

payments are to a defined benefit scheme as explained above and in Note 8 but there are no separately identifiable assets and the actuarial cost to the Institute is not known. Consequently, it is not possible to supply the information referred to in Financial Reporting Standard 102, Section 28 and the Institute has accounted for the scheme as though it were a defined contribution scheme.

TAXATION

The Pirbright Institute is a registered charity within the meaning of the UK Taxes Acts and is, therefore, eligible to claim exemptions to income tax and capital gains tax.

JUDGEMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make significant judgements and estimates. The items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

The judgements applied and the revaluation adjustments and net book value of the assets is included in Note 9.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

For the year ended 31 March 2021

Note
Unrestricted
Funds
£’000
ncome from Donations
ore strategic grant
1
-
haritable activities
rants and contracts
2
14,503
ther charitable income
2
2,609
nvestment income
3
956
otal
18,068
xpenditure on
aising funds
ental income and tenant services
312
nvestment management costs
18
haritable activities
cientifc research
31,639
ental income and tenant services
963
ther charitable activities
422
otal
4
33,354
et (expenditure)/income before tax
(15,286)
ransfers between funds
15
17,155
et movement in funds
1,869
alances brought forward
8,128
alances carried forward
16
9,997		 Restricted
Funds
£’000
18,928
43,687
-
-
62,615
324
-
13,211
1,062
49
14,646
47,969
(17,155)
30,814
289,835
320,649		 2021
Total Funds
£’000
18,928
58,190
2,609
956
80,683
636
18
44,850
2,025
471
48,000
32,683
-
32,683
297,963
330,646		 2020
Total Funds
£’000
15,449
41,532
2,053
1,045
60,079
628
20
42,582
1,834
515
45,579
14,500
-
14,500
283,463
297,963

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

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FLAGBALANCE SHEET

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWSFLAG

BALANCE SHEET

At 31 March 2021. Company Number 00559784

Note 2021 2020
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Fixed assets
Tangible fxed assets 9 295,172 267,984
Current assets
Stocks 11 264 306
Debtors 12 13,397 6,704
Term deposits over three months 23,194 21,169
Cash at bank and in hand 19,237 19,529
56,092 47,708
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 13 (20,618) (17,729)
Net current assets 35,474 29,979
Total assets less current liabilities 330,646 297,963
Net assets 330,646 297,963
Financed by
Unrestricted funds 16 9,997 8,128
Restricted
Fixed asset fund (including revaluation reserve of 15 317,191 284,798
£15,299k (2020: £16,135k)
Other restricted reserve 16 3,458 5,037
Total funds 16 330,646 297,963

The Institute includes in its financial statements leasehold land and buildings owned by third parties, these are detailed further in Note 9.

Professor John Stephenson Trustee Director

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 20 July 2021 and signed on their behalf on 20 July 2021. The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Roger Louth Trustee Director

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 31 March 2021

et cash provided by operating activities
et movement in funds
nterest and rent receivable
epreciation charged
roft on disposal of plant & equipment
ealised gain on disposal of investments
ecrease/(increase) in stocks
ncrease)/decrease in debtors
ncrease in creditors
et cash provided by operating activities
ash fows from investing activities:
roceeds of sale of plant & equipment
roceeds of sale of investments
nterest and rents received
ncrease in cash deposits > 3 months
urchase of property, plant and equipment
et cash used in investment activities
hange in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
ash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
ash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
ash and cash equivalents as above
ash placed on term deposits longer than 3 months
ash at bank and in hand per the balance sheet		 £’000
2021
£’000
£’000
2020
£’000
32,683
14,500
(956)
(1,045)
9,469
10,191
-
(2)
-
(14)
42
(148)
(6,693)
2,147
1,288
2,044
35,833
27,673
-
2
-
173
956
1,045
(2,025)
(562)
(35,056)
(18,669)
(36,125)
(18,011)
(292)
9,662
19,529
9,867
19,237
19,529
19,237
19,529
23,194
21,169
42,431
40,698		 £’000
2021
£’000
£’000
2020
£’000
32,683
14,500
(956)
(1,045)
9,469
10,191
-
(2)
-
(14)
42
(148)
(6,693)
2,147
1,288
2,044
35,833
27,673
-
2
-
173
956
1,045
(2,025)
(562)
(35,056)
(18,669)
(36,125)
(18,011)
(292)
9,662
19,529
9,867
19,237
19,529
19,237
19,529
23,194
21,169
42,431
40,698
19,529
19,529
21,169
40,698

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

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FLAGNOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFLAG

NOTES TO THE TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2021

1 INCOME FROM DONATIONS

1 INCOME FROM DONATIONS
BBSRC UKRI – core strategic grant
Resource contribution grants
All income from donations in the current and prior year was restricted.		 2021
£’000
15,449
3,479
18,928		 2020
£’000
15,449
-
15,449

2 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Grant income
BBSRC UKRI – research grants
BBSRC UKRI – other grants
Other research grants
Other charitable activities		 2021
£’000
2,960
43,885
11,345
58,190
2,609
60,799		 2020
£’000
2,854
25,462
13,216
41,532
2,053
43,585

Income from charitable activities includes restricted income from grants and contracts of £43,687k (2020: £25,171k) All other income from charitable activities in the current and prior year was unrestricted. The analysis by region is set out below:

United Kingdom
Europe
North America
Others		 2021
£’000
55,636
1,106
2,573
1,484
60,799		 2020
£’000
35,158
704
3,822
3,901
43,585

INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (CONT)

nalysis of grant income
BSRC UKRI
ompetitive Project Grant – research grants
ther grants
otal BBSRC UKRI
efra “Umbrella” commission projects
efra Surveillance
ther government departments, public sector
uropean Union
ndustry, levy boards
rusts, foundations, charities
ther research grant income
otal incoming resources – grants including research		 Unrestricted
£’000
2,960
198
3,158
2,250
2,697
540
1,106
1,176
1,003
2,573
14,503		 Restricted
£’000
-
43,687
43,687
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
43,687		 2021
Total
£’000
2,960
43,885
46,845
2,250
2,697
540
1,106
1,176
1,003
2,573
58,190		 2020
Total
£’000
2,854
25,462
28,316
2,472
2,648
166
703
513
2,892
3,822
41,532

Ancillary trades and activities

Other charitable income consists of trades and activities which are ancillary to the charitable activities of the Institute:

oyalties
iagnostic kits
ther		 Unrestricted
£’000
388
2
2,219
2,609		 Restricted
£’000
-
-
-
-		 2021
Total
£’000
388
2
2,219
2,609		 2020
Total
£’000
361
141
1,551
2,053

3 INVESTMENT INCOME

ental income and tenant services
ank interest		 2021
£’000
849
107		 2020
£’000
755
290
956 1,045

All investment income in the current and prior year was unrestricted.

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE

Unrestricted funds
Costs of raising funds
Rental income and tenant services
Investment management costs
Charitable expenditure
Grants for scientifc research
Rental income and tenant services
Other charitable activities
Total unrestricted resources expended		 Staff costs
£’000
-
-
13,620
-
-
13,620		 Other
direct costs
£’000
-
9
6,043
(7)
206
6,251		 Allocated
support costs
£’000
312
9
11,976
970
216
13,483		 2021
Total
£’000
312
18
31,639
963
422
33,354		 2020
Total
£’000
307
20
33,158
960
462
34,907

6 OPERATING COSTS

6 OPERATING COSTS
2021 2020
£’000 £’000
Operating costs stated after charging:
Auditor’s remuneration
- audit services 48 44
- non-audit services 12 8
Depreciation 9,469 10,191
Loss on foreign exchange translations 189 93
Hire of plant and machinery 17 28
Rental of land and buildings 52 59

Operating costs are stated net of laboratory supplies carried forward in stock amounting to £264,046 (2020: £305,937).

7 REMUNERATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TRUSTEE BOARD

Restricted funds

Cost of raising funds
Charitable expenditure
Total restricted resources expended
Total resources expended
Total resources expended – 2020		 -
-
-
13,620
12,549		 -
-
-
6,251
9,013		 324
14,322
14,646
28,129
24,017		 324
14,322
14,646
48,000
45,579		 321
10,351
10,672
45,579

Included in allocated support costs are normal staff costs of £5,034,466 (2020: £4,946,242)

5 ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS

Unrestricted
Premises
Financial costs
Management
Human resources
Information technology
Purchasing and
procurement
Governance
Restricted
Depreciation
Repairs / compliance		 Rental
income
and tenant
services
£’000
174
27
39
54

10
5
3
312
296
28
324
636		 Investment
management
costs
£’000
-
9
-
-
-
-
-
9
-
-
-
9		 Grants and
contracts
for scientifc
research
£’000
7,473
593
953
391
2,059
424
83
11,976
8,335
4,876
13,211
25,187		 Science
rental income
and tenant
services
£’000
867
46
17
-
23
16
1
970
789
273
1,062
2,032		 Staff
restaurant
£’000
65
27
19
16
11
11
2
151
49
-
49
200		 Other
charitable
activities
£’000
-
26
10
-
23
5
1
65
-
-
-
65		 Total 2021
£’000
8,579
728
1,038
461
2,126
461
90
13,483
9,469
5,177
14,646
28,129		 Total 2020
£’000
wBasis of
allocation
8,760
% of foor area
669time spent
960
time spent
457time spent
2,004time spent
457
time spent
38time spent
13,345
10,191
481
10,672
24,017

None (2020: none) of the members of the Trustee Board received any remuneration from the Institute during the year. Eleven members (2020: eleven members) of the Trustee Board had travel expenses of £907 (2020: £7,917) reimbursed during the year.

8 STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS

The average number of persons employed by the Institute (including members of the Governing Council) during the year, analysed by category, was as follows:

he aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:
Offce, management and estate support
cientifc
Wages and salaries
ocial security costs
Other pension costs		 Number of employees
2021
2020
126
122
247
241
373
363
2021
£’000
2020
£’000
14,103
13,275
1,418
1,297
2,613
2,520
18,134
17,092		 Number of employees
2021
2020
126
122
247
241
373
363
2021
£’000
2020
£’000
14,103
13,275
1,418
1,297
2,613
2,520
18,134
17,092
363
2020
£’000
13,275
1,297
2,520
17,092

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

as of 1 January 2017, all BBSRC employees are now covered under the Institute’s position as a separate legal entity. The Institute therefore retains responsibility for paying employment costs in relation to all employees, including basic pay and allowances, contractual payments, tax, national insurance and pension contributions. Employees engaged prior to April 2015 remain members of the Research Councils’ Pension Scheme (RCPS), a defined benefit scheme for multiple employers. The BBSRC Employment Code remains applicable and frozen at the date of TUPE transfer. The Institute does not have any liability for pensions other than for monthly employer contributions, the rate of which is determined by the GAD on a periodic basis. The key management personnel of the Institute comprise the Senior Leadership Board and the Trustees (Note 7). The total employee benefits (including wages and salaries, employer’s national insurance and pension costs) of the key management personnel of the Institute were £558,121 (2020: £574,405).

at a percentage of scheme members’ pensionable pay and emoluments assessed by the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) on a periodical basis. The rate for the year was 26.0%, which was established following GAD’s most recent assessment. The pension costs represent contributions payable by the Institute to the scheme and amount to £1,011,524, (2020: £1,129,452). Since April 2015, all new staff (including promoted staff) are employed directly by the Institute, rather than BBSRC UKRI under the Institute’s own terms and conditions. These staff are members of The Pirbright Company Pension, a defined contribution scheme administered by Aviva on behalf of the Institute. The Institute contributes 10% of scheme members’ pensionable pay and emoluments. The pension costs represent contributions payable by the Institute to the scheme and amount to £1,516,186 (2020: £1,315,851).

STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS (CONTINUED)

Some employees of the Institute are members of the Research Councils’ Pension Schemes, which are funded principally through employer and employee contributions. The pension schemes are analogous to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS), except that while the schemes that are defined benefit schemes and provide retirement and related benefits on final emoluments, redundancy and capability ill health are administered and funded by the council, the pension schemes are administered by the Research Councils’ Joint Superannuation Services and the schemes’ finances are administered by BBSRC UKRI. It is an unfunded scheme, and there are no separately identifiable assets and the actuarial cost to the Institute is not known. Consequently, it is not possible to supply the information referred to in Financial Reporting Standard 102, Section 28 and the Institute has accounted for the scheme as though it were a defined contribution scheme. The Institute pays employers’ contributions,

Staff engaged at the Institute prior to April 2015 were previously employed by BBSRC UKRI and deployed back to the Institute. Following the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) exercise

The number of staff with emoluments greater than £60,000, (excluding pension costs), was:

2021 2020
Number Number
£60,000 – £69,999 13 11
£70,000 – £79,999 6 5
£80,000 – £89,999 4 3
£90,000 – £99,999 4 2
£110,000 - £119,999 1 1
£140,000 – £149,999 1 1

The number of staff earning over £60,000 for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined benefit schemes amounted to 13 (2020: 12) and the amounts paid in the year were £273,183 (2020: £232,785)

9 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

ost/revaluation
t 1 April 2020
dditions
Disposals
ransfers
At 31 March 2021
Depreciation
At 1 April 2020
Charge for year historic
Charge for year revaluation
Disposals
At 31 March 2021
Net book value at 31 March 2021
Net book value at 31 March 2020		 Land and
buildings
£’000
244,321
-
-
4,471
248,792
46,918
7,442
906
-
55,266
193,526
197,403		 Plant and
machinery
£’000
19,238
1,003
(761)
-
19,480
16,760
1,121
-
(761)
17,120
2,360
2,478		 Fixtures,
fttings,
tools and
equipment
£’000
1,283
-
-
-
1,283
1,283
-
-
-
1,283
-
-		 Payments
on account
and assets
in course of
construction
£’000
68,103
35,654
-
(4,471)
99,286
-
-
-
-
-
99,286
68,103		 Total
£’000
332,945
36,657
(761)
-
368,841
64,961
8,563
906
(761)
73,669
295,172
267,984

Land and buildings include land with a book value of £13,603k.

The Institute includes in its financial statements leasehold land and buildings owned by third parties, that it occupies and enjoys through peppercorn leases, at their full value. The North side leases was renewed in December 2020 for 25 years and the south side lease for a term of 99 years. The Trustees consider that in substance the risks and rewards of ownership of the assets have passed to the Institute, and as such follow a policy of recognising the assets on the balance sheet to reflect the continuing occupancy of these assets for the foreseeable future. The only circumstance under which the Institute could be asked to vacate the site is due to a failure to deliver the required programme, which in the Trustees’ view is highly unlikely. The Institute derives a rental income from some of the buildings included in its financial statements which it does not classify as investment properties as the cost of doing so exceeds the benefits.

The Institute used the option in FRS102 to use fair value at the date of transition to FRS102, (1 April 2014), as deemed cost on transition. GVA Grimley Limited, Chartered Surveyors, and an independent valuer derived these values from a professional valuation.

Part of the site is leased to Boehringer Animal Health UK Ltd. The lease is currently in the process of being renegotiated. If this process is successfully completed then this part of the site will be reclassified as an investment property.

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10 INVESTMENTS

11 STOCKS

11 STOCKS
2021 2020
£’000 £’000
Laboratory consumables 264 306

Investment in subsidiary undertaking

During the year Avrico Limited, which is incorporated in England and Wales, changed its name to Pirbright Innovations Limited. This Company which previously undertook foot-and-mouth disease testing on behalf of the Institute, was dormant during the current and previous year. The Institute owns the entire share capital of 100 ordinary shares of £1 each.

The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary were:

2021 2020
£’000 £’000
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (8) (8)
Net liabilities (8) (8)
Aggregate share capital and reserves (8) (8)

The Institute has provided for the deficit shown by the subsidiary undertaking by writing off the amount owed to it by Pirbright Innovations Limited.

Investment in associated undertaking

Genomia Management Limited was formed on 16 April 2004 and is a company limited by guarantee. The company was established by way of grants from the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills and the European Regional Development Fund. The company manages the Genomia Fund the objective of which is to assist in the development of research output from the members into commercially realisable opportunities. The Institute has equal membership in this company with Roslin Foundation, Moredun Research Institute, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). The company’s turnover for the year ended 31 March 2021 was £94,000 (2020: £229,000) and its net assets as at 31 March 2021 were £162,000 (2020: £114,000).

The Institute’s stock consists of laboratory supplies for research purposes.

12 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors		 2021
£’000
2,181
1,539
2,321
7,356
13,397		 2020
£’000
2,967
1,375
1,836
526
6,704

13 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income
Short-term compensated absences		 2021
£’000
2,484
550
154
7,655
9,285
490
20,618		 2020
£’000
1,451
563
110
5,715
9,276
614
17,729

14 RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN ACCRUED AND DEFERRED GRANT INCOME

Accrued income
Deferred income
Net deferred research grant income at the beginning of the year
Research grant income received during the year
Research grant money released to SOFA during the year		 2021
£’000
2,321
(9,285)
(6,964)
(7,440)
(14,027)
14,503
(6,964)		 2020
£’000
1,836
(9,276)
(7,440)
(2,202)
(21,600)
16,362
(7,440)

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

15 FUNDS

15 FUNDS
Unrestricted funds:
General
Designated
Restricted non-endowment funds:
Fixed Asset Fund
Other restricted funds:
Fixed Asset Project Support Costs
DP2 phase 2 occupation
IS4L Interim Insectary
BBSRC UKRI core grant funding
Brooksby support costs
Other		 Balance
1 April
2020
£’000
5,102
3,026
284,798
3,343
1,620
6
-
-
68
297,963		 Net
incoming/
(outgoing)
resources
£’000
(14,953)
(333)
29,400
-
(359)
-
18,928
-
-
32,683		 Transfer
between
funds
£’000
17,355
(200)
2,993
(2,750)
(37)
(6)
(18,928)
1,573
-
-		 Balance
31 March
2021
£’000
7,504
2,493
317,191
593
1,224
-
-
1,573
68
330,646

Unrestricted designated funds

Unrestricted designated funds comprise sums set aside for specific purposes including the acquisition and improvement of tangible fixed assets, the presentation of scientific conferences, and contributions towards capital to be replaced using the fully economic costing policy adopted by the Institute. This includes£1,661k for occupation costs relating to capital projects (2020: £2,167k), £41k to maintain scientific equipment capacity and capability (2020: £15k), £43k for IT resilience (2020: £153k), £352k for group leaders (2020: £624k) and £396k for other projects (2020: £67k)

FUNDS (CONTINUED)

Restricted non-endowment funds

Restricted non-endowment funds comprise grants received from funders specifically to be applied in the acquisition or improvement of tangible fixed assets or otherwise applied for such purposes as specified by the grants provided.

ixed Asset Fund
alance brought forward
rants received
epreciation/impairment (Note 6)
evenue spend
ransfers
alance carried forward		 2021
£’000
284,798
43,687
(9,469)
(4,818)
2,993
317,191		 2020
£’000
266,596
25,171
(10,191)
(381)
3,603
284,798

The Fixed Asset Fund is not an endowment fund, but represents funding received, principally from BBSRC UKRI, for the past and future acquisition of tangible fixed assets. These assets are built on land that is not owned by The Pirbright Institute. The capital fund has been set up to assist in identifying those funds that are not free funds and it represents the net book value of tangible fixed assets held by the Institute and amounts received for capital but not yet spent.

The unexpended balance of unrestricted designated funds and restricted funds is invested temporary in deposits and appears in the balance sheet under current assets.

Other restricted funds

Fixed Asset Project Support Cost grants have been received from BBSRC UKRI to provide funding towards support costs and overrun costs relating to the DP1 capital projects.

The Capital Rebuild Grant, Additional Construction Support has on approval from BBSRC UKRI been transferred to development phase 2 occupation fund. As part of the ongoing development, project funds from these reserves have been transferred to the Fixed Asset Fund.

The BBSRC UKRI core grant funding is received from BBSRC UKRI to ensure that the Institute’s facilities are maintained at the necessary cutting-edge high containment level that is essential to provide a national capability.

Transfers between funds

Transfers between funds
Unrestricted Unrestricted
general designated Restricted
funds funds funds
£’000 £’000 £’000
Transfer of funds to general reserves 17,355 (200) (17,155)

The transfers during the year are as follows:

The BBSRC UKRI core grant funding restricted fund transfer of £17,355k has been made to set overhead expenditure incurred in the year against the restricted grant received for this purpose.

£1,573K has been transferred from the BBSRC UKRI core grant funding restricted fund to Brooksby support costs in respect of funds received from BBSRC to be utilised against the running costs of the new Brooksby large animal experimental facility across the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years.

£200k has been transferred from the designated reserve for group leaders to the fixed asset fund in respect of a reallocation of funds to the restricted fixed asset fund.

£2,750K has been transferred from the Fixed Asset Project Support cost restricted fund to the restricted fixed asset fund in respect of expenditure Incurred and subsequently capitalised as construction in progress.

£37K has been transferred from the DP2 phase 2 occupation restricted fund in respect of a reclassification of expenditure.

£6K of funds not utilised have been transferred from the IS4L Interim Insectary restricted fund to the restricted fixed asset fund.

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Capital fund
Revaluation reserve
Other restricted funds
Prior year
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Capital fund
Revaluation reserve
Other restricted funds		 Fixed
assets
£’000
-
279,873
15,299
-
295,172
Fixed
assets
£’000
-
251,849
16,135
-
267,984		 Net current
assets
£’000
9,997
22,019
-
3,458
35,474
Net current
assets
£’000
8,128
16,814
-
5,037
29,979		 Total
£’000
9,997
301,892
15,299
3,458
330,646
Total
£’000
8,128
268,663
16,135
5,037
297,963

17 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial assets measured at amortised cost
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost		 2021
£’000
9,537
(3,188)
6,349		 2020
£’000
3,493
(2,124)
1,369

Financial assets measured at amortised cost comprise trade debtors, amounts owed by related parties and other debtors. Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost comprise trade creditors, other tax and social security and other creditors.

18 COMMITMENTS

(a) Capital commitments at the end of the financial year for which no provision has been made:

2021 2020
£’000 £’000
Authorised but not contracted for 28,835 8,923

The capital commitments of £28,835k (2020: £8,923k) will be significantly funded by the BBSRC UKRI.

(b) Operating lease commitments

The Institute is committed to the following charges in respect of:

and and buildings
Within one year
n two to fve years
n over fve years
lant and Machinery
Within one year
n two to fve years		 2021
£’000
52
210
293
8
16		 2020
£’000
52
207
340
-
-

19 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

There is a contingent liability to account to BBSRC UKRI for the net proceeds of disposal of fixed assets acquired with grant assistance and for recurrent and capital grants in excess of the financing requirements. No such liabilities existed at either 31 March 2021 or 31 March 2020.

20 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council part of UK Research and Innovation (BBSRC UKRI)

BBSRC UKRI provides substantial funding to the Institute. The Institute is affiliated with BBSRC UKRI along with seven other institutes. Details of grants received from BBSRC UKRI are detailed in Notes 1 and 2. During the year, BBSRC UKRI charged the Institute £0, (2020: £3,983) for other costs and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council UKRI charged the Institute £41,789 (2020: £0) for other costs.

Genomia Management Limited

During the year our associated undertaking in Genomia Management Ltd (Note 10) provided the Institute with £0 of grant income (2020: £71,831).

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees:

Professor John Stephenson: Chair Professor Vince Emery: Deputy Chair Ian Bateman Ian Black Rona Chester Jon Coles Emma Griffin

Alison Hardy Paul Logan Roger Louth Jane Tirard

Director of the Institute:

Professor Bryan Charleston MRCVS

Company Secretary:

Helen Watts

Registered office: Pirbright Laboratory, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF

Auditor:

BDO LLP, 2 City Place, Beehive Ring Road, Gatwick, West Sussex, RH6 0PA

Bankers:

Barclays Bank PLC Wytham Court, 11 West Way, Oxford, OX2 0JB

LLoyds Bank PLC 5 High Street, Swindon, SN1 3EN

Solicitors:

Charles Russell LLP, 1 London Square, Cross Lanes, Guildford, GU1 1UN

Penningtons Manches LLP, 9400 Garsington Road, Oxford Business Park, Oxford, OX4 2HN

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An internal shot of The BBSRC
National Vaccinology Centre:
The Jenner Building, which
houses Pirbright’s low
containment laboratories
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The Pirbright Institute Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF Telephone: +44 1483 232441 Email: communications@pirbright.ac.uk

----- Start of picture text -----
The Pirbright Institute
www.pirbright.ac.uk
@Pirbright_Inst
@ThePirbrightInstitute
The Pirbright Institute
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
© James Brittain
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