Medicines Manufacturing
Innovate UK’s Medicines Manufacturing programmes aim to drive the de-risking and adoption of highly innovative flexible, agile and scalable manufacturing technologies through a culture of collaboration that will drive the growth of this critically important manufacturing sector.
Supporting the UK to be recognised by the global medicines industry as a world-class advanced centre for medicines manufacturing.
The Medicines Manufacturing Challenge Fund was established in 2017 to support and grow the UK’s capabilities in manufacturing medicines. £360 million has been invested in developing first-of-a-kind technologies to manufacture medicines and accelerate patient access to new drugs and treatments, firmly establishing the UK as a leading global hub for the development, production and delivery of cutting-edge therapies.
Programme objectives
- Investing in global Britain
- Strengthening UK infrastructure
- Building skills
Since 2017, the Medicines Manufacturing Challenge has played its part in growing the UK’s medicines manufacturing sector into an industrial powerhouse that will bring economic and health benefits to future generations. By building on this strong foundation, we can make the UK a central player in an expanding, multi-billion-pound global industry.
The UK has a unique medicines manufacturing ecosystem that fosters innovation and collaboration between academia, industry and Government. Our infrastructure investments put development and manufacturing side by side, creating a setting where researchers can generate great new ideas and businesses can upscale them for financial success and patient benefit.
The key to the UK’s future as a global medicines manufacturing hub is its people. The Medicines Manufacturing Challenge has laid the groundwork for building this highly skilled workforce, but we need to continue to nurture the pipeline for the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians to maintain a thriving industry.
Creating value & underpinning resilience
This report highlights the significant impact made through the UKRI Medicines Manufacturing Challenge Fund investment and collaboration into UK medicines manufacturing.
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Robotics and automation within the medicines manufacturing community
This report summarises the findings of a virtual workshop held on February 1st 2022 to identify key innovation gaps in the widespread adoption of robotics and automation within UK medicines development and manufacturing.
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Accelerated adoption of automation and digitalisation within medicines manufacturing
This report summarises the findings of a workshop held at AMRC North West on March 20th 2022 to identify priority opportunities for digital and automation technologies in pharmaceutical process development, barriers to uptake, and to explore learning from other sectors.
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Hear from a member of the team
As we wrap up the UKRI Medicine Medicines Manufacturing Challenge, learn how Innovate UK will be supporting future Medicines Manufacturing activities. Watch the video, below, for more information on competitions planned for 2022/2023. We are also excited to be planning a series of Communities of Practice which will run alongside each competition which aim to bring together stakeholders within a cohesive environment of shared learning and collaboration, to drive forwards innovation and enterprise
Upcoming Medicines Manufacturing competitions
Closes 22nd February 2023
Intracellular Drug Delivery
Improving the range and availability of formulations enabling more efficient, targeted delivery of drug payloads to cells, reducing the amount of raw material required to derive a single therapeutic dose.
Find out more and apply
Closes 8th March 2023
Advancing Precision Medicine
Focus on novel digital and data-enabled tools to: more accurately diagnose conditions and stratify patients; and increase the application of integrated and multi-modal approaches
Find out more and apply
Programmes related to Medicines Manufacturing
Medicines Manufacturing Challenge Community
A now-completed programme that supported manufacturers of medicines in order to grow the UK economy – replaced by the Medicines Manufacturing programme.
Related Opportunities
Biomedical Catalyst 2023 Round 1: Industry-led R&D
Opens: 04/01/2023 Closes: 01/03/2023
UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of up to £25 million to develop innovative solutions to health and healthcare challenges.
More Information
Innovative technologies for intracellular drug delivery
Opens: 09/01/2023 Closes: 22/02/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £5m to support innovation in intracellular drug delivery formulations.
More Information
Advancing precision medicine
Opens: 16/01/2023 Closes: 08/03/2023
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £20m over two rounds, to develop digital and data-enabled tools and multi-modal approaches. Your proposal must address an unmet clinical need or respond to NHS demand signalling.
More Information
Next steps
We will keep this page up to date with the latest information on Innovate UK’s medicines manufacturing competitions. In the meantime please contact our team if you would like further information on the forthcoming competitions, or to express your interest in getting involved in the Communities of Practice.