Top Moments of 2019
2019 marks CPI’s 15th anniversary and what a great year it’s been.
![Helen Anderson Helen Anderson](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/helen-briggs.jpg?w=100&h=100&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1559222123&s=e868a05434ec189e8a6486c18bf9a28d)
Marketing & Comms Manager
(she/her)
2019 marks CPI’s 15th anniversary and what a great year it’s been.
We continued to work closely with SMEs, universities, large corporates and our partners in local and national Government to build infrastructure and enable the integration and translation of ideas and concepts into robust manufacturing processes.
Throughout the year we have continued to focus on addressing challenges associated with healthcare, working with partners across a range of markets to enhance the development of products and processes that benefit patients and industry alike.
Particularly pertinent to this is the extension of our geographical footprint into Scotland with the development of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre. Since Dave Tudor’s appointment as Managing Director earlier this year, the team has grown dramatically, bringing together knowledge and experience from a breadth of backgrounds and industries. The team consists of dedicated staff from each of the partner organisations which includes CPI, University of Strathclyde, GSK, AstraZeneca and funding bodies UKRI and Scottish Enterprise.
Despite the facility not being due for completion until 2021, this year has seen excellent progress on the centre’s two Grand Challenges. Grand Challenge 1 is redefining how we will produce oral solid dosage medicines more robustly and efficiently utilising continuous direct compression.
Grand Challenge 2 will deliver Just-in-Time clinical supply material using a modular robotics system with novel automation, capable of integrating with cGMP partner systems to achieve real time material release. This will have benefits, such as delivering individual patient orders, enabling smart label printing and allowing multiple products on the line concurrently due to a novel bottle design.
![Medicine Medicine](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/regenerative-medicine.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216148&s=2dd16258bde1e5ffeacc998f9968e862 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/regenerative-medicine.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216148&s=11f02fb87d9fe7e09e8aa2587465aa82 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/regenerative-medicine.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216148&s=a5b5ce6cd1de52f1b5d11e08b6a05ee5 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/regenerative-medicine.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216148&s=a7e0c427961041f45d9abc4a7fa61f47 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/regenerative-medicine.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216148&s=2fef27ce44d2ef4ccd63636b44fa6c64 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/regenerative-medicine.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216148&s=2eb094404600b380ba3e9692be20926c 960w)
In addition to this, we have also expanded our infrastructure in the North East with the official launch of the National Healthcare Photonics Centre earlier this year. The state-of-the-art facility, located at NETPark, County Durham, focuses on the development of next generation light-based healthcare treatments and will support the scale-up and commercialisation of MedTech products. The centre acts as a hub for businesses of all sizes and academic partners to work on innovative methods of diagnosing disease, imaging systems and light-based treatments.
![NHPC Launch NHPC Launch](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/photonics-launch.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211893&s=8fc3d8be16dc560c9cc1635d2adaba2d 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/photonics-launch.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211893&s=fdc165f23f0c212a10b1a280af23d0a2 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/photonics-launch.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211893&s=dad12a0a1848044894fc8096bda49e1f 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/photonics-launch.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211893&s=e36f663159ca1af9ef01c4cbea0d73dd 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/photonics-launch.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211893&s=632e5c152087b627dbcdc04a4a38d3b8 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/photonics-launch.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211893&s=76cf833b09e62b7fe0b7c58a2bb0d8b1 960w)
MedTech products also play a key part in healthy ageing, this year CPI has been active in promoting innovation in this space by encouraging companies to engage with us via the ISCF Healthy Ageing Trailblazer. The fund has been set up by the government as a response to the UK life expectancy rising meaning people are spending longer in poor health.
![Healthy Ageing Healthy Ageing](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-elderly-ladies-with-VR.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1571763272&s=614b9eb49f1c5264f566c5ad9d613383 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-elderly-ladies-with-VR.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1571763272&s=12d9d6ccf4dc202000f2a24d7b14c81e 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-elderly-ladies-with-VR.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1571763272&s=9dce69e9c473727e1d812ee7cd23519a 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-elderly-ladies-with-VR.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1571763272&s=84161d48b0dbe693deafeac290525fe3 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-elderly-ladies-with-VR.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1571763272&s=612e2a531d5e0c2997c51c3cf56f2a02 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-elderly-ladies-with-VR.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1571763272&s=6a44b7b031f1a3649c75c4122b3468ac 960w)
Staying on the theme of healthcare, this year has seen CPI partner on numerous projects focussed on vaccine development. In a world where the outbreak of disease is still common, the need for vaccines which can be manufactured at scale is on the rise. A recent project with the University of Leeds was focussed on the production of a new Polio vaccine. The project supports development of a new virus-like particle (VLP) polio vaccine manufacturing platform which will create a cheap, scalable and robust vaccine production system.
![Virus Virus](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/virus.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216073&s=41c91c796a791613ec931441a92f54b8 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/virus.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216073&s=483334679ba8fb37d4ac30f8474d4ff1 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/virus.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216073&s=29eed32545c51ae0f0488b3dd7f9f682 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/virus.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216073&s=c57dbf4df0a551e8686c0846ff8f62e3 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/virus.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216073&s=74cabbda5b29c5b702453ee430d5ea98 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/virus.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216073&s=1cca3ab3420371a7bb3f4c01c0ef7157 960w)
Not only has there been a focus on the development and manufacture of medicines, we have also been looking into the way in which we package them. Smart packaging is a term used to describe embedding advanced features into packaging such as sensing or wireless communication makes packaging“smart” which can provide significant functionality. CPI has capabilities in this area that can benefit both the pharmaceutical and logistics industries.
This year we co-hosted an event with the British Printing Industries Federation on the future of smart and connected packaging. The event took place at Canon’s customer experience centre ‘The View’ in London and was an opportunity for delegates working in logistics, supply chain or packaging to understand how smart packaging could benefit their business.
![smart packaging smart packaging](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/smart-packaging-for-pharma.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559217622&s=da3324ceab92f443a21e26828e6dc848 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/smart-packaging-for-pharma.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559217622&s=4651b4f97fb3d6e8103ee8bdd1374dd6 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/smart-packaging-for-pharma.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559217622&s=88aa6100e567acc06978769a96a71128 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/smart-packaging-for-pharma.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559217622&s=dc7a34686f75409e5647818160008927 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/smart-packaging-for-pharma.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559217622&s=53091a57d80cdac6522d4d811f50ac5e 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/smart-packaging-for-pharma.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559217622&s=ad7ca78072b96d36d24aef4c9de84bbd 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/smart-packaging-for-pharma.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559217622&s=726a5a4ecf50ee8e97860ce784a9836d 960w)
This year, like always, we continue to be amazed by our fantastic people. Our staff are at the heart of everything we do and this year has seen some great achievements both in and out of work. In July some of our colleagues, along with other High Value Manufacturing Catapult partners, organised and took part in an 800km charity cycle ride. The cyclists tested their endurance in this demanding challenge which took them from Bristol to Glasgow in just 5 days.
![Cycle ride Cycle ride](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Cycle-ride.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151800&s=df11b86798e034a97b8be9f520258bdc 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Cycle-ride.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151800&s=42f58e36b24b8f6fd8a798b577e1e5f0 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Cycle-ride.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151800&s=e72c008330e7801d346671b09436f8f2 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Cycle-ride.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151800&s=491fd701f587cf205c35e20638fad96d 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Cycle-ride.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151800&s=1eaed3a98a3d579a115be59ae2872030 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Cycle-ride.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151800&s=1193c740c4a01cc2ea0a2956f8c0ac0d 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Cycle-ride.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151800&s=d1479303f2ac1b0146b09c5ad9e811b3 960w)
In November we showcased some of our staff as part of ‘This is Engineering Day’. Mona Gayle and Libby Goodes gave an insight into what life as an Engineer at CPI is like. Libby is on an industrial placement at CPI and Mona is a Senior Research Engineer and Deputy Safety Lead.
Also in November, CPI was announced as the winner of the Global Biotechnology Award at the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Global Awards 2019. CPI won the for award for the successful delivery of the collaborative BioStreamline project. This Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI)-funded project aimed to accelerate biotherapeutic drug discovery by improving development and manufacture, and involved Lonza Biologics, UCB Celltech, Sphere Fluidics, Horizon Discovery and Alcyomics Ltd, as partners.
![Award Award](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Biotechnology-Award_191212_115840.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151920&s=c1e269fd1d56fdbd1959b7f2af0a86f0 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Biotechnology-Award_191212_115840.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151920&s=518cc6cc69b9099ff967472cfee055d9 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Biotechnology-Award_191212_115840.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151920&s=532959eb1593a2c2766b759f49a975d3 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Biotechnology-Award_191212_115840.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151920&s=42228fd650f09cc133af45418e19224c 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Biotechnology-Award_191212_115840.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151920&s=d66b11388fc9b187bfcb816213ba5922 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Biotechnology-Award_191212_115840.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151920&s=60b484cf4e8c6bf6e15e53bbfdc57fc6 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Biotechnology-Award_191212_115840.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1576151920&s=86c4c8a93e8b9a0ffbe65339cd1668d2 960w)
Looking forward to 2020, we will continue to engage with our partners to help drive innovation forward. The recent launch of CPI’s Innovation Integrator® diagnostic business tool will allow companies to evaluate their current capabilities and advises where they need to focus to turn invention into a practical product that is used every day. The tool allows companies to assess themselves against a range of criteria associated with innovation, upon completion of the tool a report is then generated which summarises the next steps to take.
This is just a snapshot of what we’ve been up to in 2019, for a closer look at our activity over the last year take a look at our news, blogs and case studies.
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