Accelerating the bioscience sector in the Tees Valley Region

Having a ready workforce is more critical than ever, as researchers work on a COVID-19 vaccine. The skill set required for vaccine manufacturing and the production of other biotherapeutics requires in depth bioprocessing knowledge. Through this partnership and a joint training offering, we are creating a pipeline of graduate talent, helping to train the next generation workforce in areas including advanced therapies. Each organisation brings unique expertise to the partnership, with a proven track record of collaboration.

CPI will leverage its existing industry connections, innovation facilities and expertise to reduce risk, gain investment and accelerate the development of new biotech products and their manufacturing processes. Teesside University, through its National Horizons Centre (NHC), will provide the academic and skills aspect, offering industry-specific scientific expertise, while also driving research and providing workforce training and development. The NHC is a National Training Centre for Advanced Therapies, providing essential on-site training courses in advanced therapies and vaccine manufacturing. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a global leader in the contract development and manufacture of biologics, will bring its global expertise for the development of new tools and technologies for biopharmaceutical manufacturing applications. This complementary approach is truly unique, with a focus not only on industry growth but also on education and employment opportunities in the region.

With a high-density cluster of expertise and a well-developed business ecosystem, the North East offers a bioscience community that is second to none in the UK. Access to a mature supply chain and highly-skilled workforce with much lower business costs than other areas of the UK, means a start-up company can establish itself in the region for life. In addition, start-ups will be able to develop alongside other companies, collaborating with them throughout their business development lifecycle.

​“This new collaboration builds on the strong industrial heritage, and burgeoning Tees Valley life sciences sector to enable staff, students and industry partners to work together. Drawing upon each other’s expertise and experiences, we will catalyse economic growth in the North East through the creation of jobs, the training of a highly skilled workforce and the driving of the nationally leading biosciences research and development.”

Dr Jen Vanderhoven, Director of the National Horizons Centre at Teesside University

 “We are very pleased to be a partner in this exciting collaboration and look forward to developing innovative new technologies here in Teesside, to address biopharmaceutical manufacturing challenges at a global level.

Dr. Mark Douglas, Vice President at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies