The UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology announced on Thursday that a new facility will be built in Darlington, England, to launch new (ribonucleic acid) RNA therapeutics that could help treat cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.

In a statement, the department said government support for building this facility will be £29.6 million ($39.99 million USD).

The statement clarified that the (UK Biofoundry) facility will help British scientists and companies working in this pioneering medical field bring their ideas from the lab to the market faster.

The statement quoted Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance as saying: "RNA therapies represent new horizons in healthcare thanks to their ability to reprogram our cells and adapt to various diseases. They could be the optimal solution for many treatments urgently needed by the British people to address cancer, infectious diseases, and more."

He considered this "a huge step forward in delivering our plan for the life sciences sector and will help us attract more support for high-value UK manufacturing that will boost growth across the country, including the North East."

The statement also quoted UK Health Minister Stephen Kinnock as saying: "This investment is the approach that will push health services into the 21st century. RNA therapies promise promising outcomes for patients battling some of the deadliest diseases, from cancer to cardiovascular diseases, which claim many lives every year."

RNA therapies reprogram immune cells or tumor cells to teach the body how to eliminate diseases, such as certain types of cancer, more effectively. They are also adaptable, faster to develop, and much more precise than traditional drugs. They will ensure health services are ready to confront pandemics, rare conditions, and other emerging diseases.