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).
We have built a collaboration database for all competitions within the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme. The opportunity to join the directory of organisations has now closed. Thank you to all participants who created and shared their collaboration profiles. The database includes a wide network of organisations and collaboration profiles, facilitating connections among potential partners. While no new collaborators will be added, you can still download the latest version of the database.
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 SMMIP EoI (expression of interest) competition is funding a diverse range of projects. This EoI seed funding will support the formation of consortia and the preparation of proposals for future Grand Challenges – large-scale collaborative research and development (CR&D) awards of up to £10 million per project. This brochure provides an overview of the successful EoI projects, detailing the lead and partner organisations involved, the proposed Grand Challenge, and specific needs or opportunities for potential new partners during the consortium-building stage.
Download the brochure
Related Opportunities
Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF): Expression of Interest
EOIs accepted on a rolling basis; quarterly assessments
Capital grants to support investments over £8m in the manufacture of human medicines, medical diagnostics and medtech products; assessed quarterly
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Innovate UK innovation loans future economy: Round 19
Opens: 09/01/2025 Closes: 05/03/2025
UK registered businesses can apply for loans for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.
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Innovation Exchange challenge: Sustainable and Non-food Alternative Sources of Citric Acid
Opens: 10/02/2025 Closes: 21/03/2025
LUSH Cosmetics invites solutions which can address the challenge of producing sustainable sources of citric acid.
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Related Events and Recordings
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