Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing
The Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation programme will focus on innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing to improve the manufacturing innovation ecosystem in the UK towards a sustainable future.
Promoting the long-term viability of the medicines manufacturing industry
Sustainable medicines manufacturing, strives for the production of medicines in a manner that minimises environmental impact, conserves natural resources, and ensures economic and social sustainability.
Innovate UK’s Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing programme aims to transform the UK’s medicines manufacturing sector by driving innovation, adoption, investment, and collaboration. The programme will focus on developing disruptive technologies to optimise production efficiency, minimise waste, and reduce emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals. It will promote the adoption of innovative solutions across the sector to ensure scalability and widespread use while enhancing the UK’s attractiveness as a prime location for investment in medicines manufacturing, fostering economic growth and resilience.
By strengthening partnerships among academia, industry, and government, the programme will enhance the UK’s manufacturing innovation ecosystem and promote sustainable practices.
The Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation programme is funded as part of the wider VPAG Investment Programme agreed as part of the 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG).
Focus areas
PILLAR
Green chemistry
Producing medicines in a manner that minimises environmental impact, conserves natural resources, and ensures economic and social sustainability.
PILLAR
Circularity
Reducing waste, energy consumption and emissions, while enhancing efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
PILLAR
Productivity
Adopting of innovative technologies and practices that promote the long-term viability of the medicines manufacturing industry.
Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Grand Challenges funding
The Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme is investing £54 million across eight Grand Challenge projects to transform how medicines are produced. Focused on minimising environmental impact, conserving resources, and ensuring long-term sustainability, the programme promotes innovative technologies that cut waste, energy use, and emissions while improving efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. This brochure highlights partners, innovations, and expected benefits for building a greener, net zero medicines sector.
Download the brochure
Related Opportunities
Launchpad: life and health sciences, Northern Ireland – Rd3 MFA
Opens: 20/10/2025 Closes: 26/11/2025
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £1.2m for projects that grow their innovation activities in the life and health sciences cluster in Northern Ireland.
More Information
Biomedical Catalyst 2025: Industry led R&D small projects
Opens: 10/11/2025 Closes: 10/12/2025
UK registered micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for a share of up to £25 million for the development of innovative solutions to health and healthcare challenges. This funding is from Innovate UK.
More Information
Biomedical Catalyst 2025: Industry led R&D large projects
Opens: 10/11/2025 Closes: 10/12/2025
UK registered micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for a share of up to £25 million for the development of innovative solutions to health and healthcare challenges. This funding is from Innovate UK.
More Information
Related Events and Recordings
Wed
10
Dec
2025
From molecules to manufacturing: The role of metrology in medicines development and manufacturing – a sustainability focus
13.00 - 14.15 | Online
Register for this event
Tue
1
Jul
2025
Embedding sustainability capabilities in medicines manufacturing operations
11.00 - 12.00 | Online
Watch now
Wed
2
Apr
2025
Transforming Medicines Manufacturing - seeing success through innovation and collaboration
09.00 - 16.30 | Manchester
Read more
Our Experts
SUBSCRIBE
Transforming Medicines Manufacturing Community of Practice
Join our collaborative forum to create a dynamic learning environment that promotes active participation and drives forward cutting-edge innovation in medicines manufacturing.
Read more and subscribe
Related programme
Transforming Medicines Manufacturing
Innovate UK’s Transforming Medicines Manufacturing programme aims 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.