The government has unveiled plans for a new £29.6 million RNA biofoundry in Darlington, designed to accelerate the development of next-generation therapies for cancer, dementia, cardiovascular disease and infectious illnesses.
Backed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the UK RNA Biofoundry will provide scientists and businesses with a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility to manufacture RNA materials at clinical grade and scale. The aim is to ensure that promising new treatments can move quickly from the lab bench to clinical trials and, ultimately, to NHS patients.
RNA therapies – including the mRNA technology used to develop Covid-19 vaccines – are seen as one of the most transformative areas of modern medicine. Unlike traditional drugs, they can be designed quickly, adapted for multiple diseases, and offer much greater precision in how they target cells. Clinical trials in the NHS are already exploring their use in oncology and personalised immunotherapies.
But producing RNA materials for trials is expensive and technically complex, leading to delays or even abandonment of world-class ideas. The new Darlington facility will act as a “high-tech workshop” for affordable and rapid manufacturing to clinical standards, while also being capable of switching to vaccine production during future pandemics.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said the biofoundry was a “huge step forward” in delivering the government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan.
“RNA therapies are a new frontier in healthcare,” he said. “With their ability to reprogramme our cells and adapt to different diseases, they could be the answer to many treatments the British public are desperately in need of. This new biofoundry will accelerate the journey RNA therapies take from labs to the markets and give our innovators the best opportunities to turn their great ideas into lifesaving treatments.”
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock added: “RNA therapies hold extraordinary promise for patients battling some of our most devastating diseases. Our Plan for Change is turbocharging the development of life-changing treatments right here in the UK, as we deliver an NHS truly fit for the future.”
The biofoundry will be based at CPI’s RNA Centre of Excellence in Darlington, a not-for-profit innovation hub and founding member of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult. CPI CEO Frank Millar said the investment “positions the North East as a powerhouse for innovation in manufacturing technologies” and strengthens the UK’s resilience in health innovation.
Jane Wall, managing director of the UK BioIndustry Association, said RNA therapies could be a “major driver of UK economic growth” and highlighted the importance of infrastructure and partnerships in helping innovative SMEs bring new medicines to market.
The initiative follows other major strategic investments in RNA in the UK, including partnerships with Moderna and BioNTech to deliver advanced mRNA facilities and personalised cancer therapies for NHS patients. It also reflects wider government reforms to speed up clinical trials and regulatory approvals, supported by schemes such as the NHS “Innovator Passport”.
The Darlington biofoundry will play a central role in making sure these innovations reach patients faster while helping attract international investment, build manufacturing capacity and cement Britain’s position as a leader in life sciences.
