CPI to bring Biologics Factory Online

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is investing £20m to create a ‘Biologics Factory of the Future’ where organisations can develop and test medicines and manufacturing technologies for applications in stratified and personalised therapeutic supply chains. Due to open in 2017 this new development at Central Park, Darlington will integrate with the CPI’s £38m National Biologics Manufacturing Centre, currently under construction on the same site and due for completion in 2015.

The announcement comes as part of a £379m investment into the region from the Government’s flagship Local Growth Fund, which is designed to create jobs and ensure that every part of the country shares in economic growth. Speaking about the fund, Prime Minister David Cameron said, “This historic deal means real change for the North East, with plans to attract new business to the area, drive innovation and invest in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing.”

The Tees Valley Unlimited Local Enterprise Partnership is contributing £10m as part of Local Growth Fund and its Growth Deal. It is intended that CPI will enable the development of both process technologies and facility designs needed to deliver personalised medicines through integration and simplification of production at a much smaller scale and with rapid changeover between products.

Biological medicines, accounting for around 10% – 15% of the current pharmaceutical market, are said to be biotechnology-derived. This will likely grow with the scientific advances currently underway and the application of biotechnology in healthcare is leading to an increasing number of innovative products.