Date Time University of Exeter KTP plays key role in manufacturing process of new Covid-19 vaccine The project has meant that the equipment needed to create the new vaccine can be produced more efficiently and effectively. A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Exeter and Smart Manufacturing Ltd is playing a direct and key role in the production process of the new COVID-19 vaccine. Experts from the University have been working with the Devon-based manufacturing company to optimise the production of some of the equipment used to create the new Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The new vaccine was approved for use last week, with more than half a million doses of the vaccine ready for use from the beginning of January.