Accelerating innovation in RNA
Develop, optimise, scale-up and manufacture RNA therapies and vaccines.
![CPI scientists working in biologics facility CPI scientists working in biologics facility](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/national-biologics-01.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211840&s=cc8dfd32c18ba50b4c359d405de94abd 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/national-biologics-01.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211840&s=8709de745066691bb2dd5de7fde7ca4d 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/national-biologics-01.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211840&s=8090fa9ae9e7c67b5a5898341f3c1838 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/national-biologics-01.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211840&s=286b6cf15e3fdd00557c95989e882f13 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/national-biologics-01.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211840&s=3443a2c33759d109e37ad1e38ecec51e 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/national-biologics-01.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559211840&s=005fffac5b2bae96952be976edd0b34c 960w)
Supporting the next generation of biologic products and manufacturing processes
At CPI’s RNA Centre of Excellence, we use our expertise to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative RNA products and processes.
Through our RNA Training Academy, we’re futureproofing the industry by training the next generation of RNA manufacturing professionals.
![CPI mRNA vaccine equipment CPI mRNA vaccine equipment](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-mRNA-Vaccine1.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629888106&s=772db131b44d6a31060d4c97fc038b5f 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-mRNA-Vaccine1.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629888106&s=9efe2810dcb9ceaad7027a1199a82fb8 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-mRNA-Vaccine1.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629888106&s=61ac2abfbd88669ba44989e8e28ca77a 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-mRNA-Vaccine1.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629888106&s=570ba3629ada4f0c6c81c031252e646a 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-mRNA-Vaccine1.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629888106&s=9235d010fbc01ffb7b7f60195274f3b4 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-mRNA-Vaccine1.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629888106&s=2ebd3a1e3645138280a31b4a419fa9ca 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-mRNA-Vaccine1.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629888106&s=4df4c8cbe1a046d6e6474e01dce2bc98 960w)
Opportunities in RNA
The use of RNA as a therapeutic and a potential vaccine platform has shown promise for many years, both via short-chain oligonucleotides and longer-chain mRNA and self-amplifying RNA.
There’s significant potential to develop and improve manufacturing approaches to be more efficient and cost-effective to meet the future demand for this exciting emerging technology.
Our RNA capabilities
We’re the only UK-based open-access facility currently capable of developing, manufacturing and encapsulating messenger and self-amplifying RNA vaccines and therapies ready for use in clinical trials in one location, through our end-to-end process for RNA development and scale-up.
Operating in both an R&D and GMP environment, we build cross-functional teams tailored to your needs. We host one of the largest pools of experts in RNA manufacturing in the UK, providing you with the most suitable support, facilities and guidance for you and your innovation.
Our expert knowledge and state-of-the-art facilities that support your project:
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Delivery of large scale processes to supply encapsulated material for pre-clinical or clinical studies on our platform or a customer supplied process.
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Our platform process with the ability to scale up to 20g of RNA-LNP product, all the way from synthesis, purification and encapsulation of RNA vaccines and therapeutics.
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Scaling-up to 1L synthesis of a self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulation process, as one of the largest RNA vaccine manufacturing capabilities in the UK.
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Our flexible equipment and facilities are capable of providing up 50g of RNA-LNP product per batch, in the event of a future health emergency.
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Synthesis, cloning and scale-up of DNA plasmid template suitable for in vitro transcription of mRNA, including template linearisation with appropriate restriction enzyme(s).
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Creation of GMP compliant DNA from plasmid and other sources, master and research cell banks. For viral applications, can also carry out viral seed banking.
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Enzymatic synthesis of natural or modified mRNA using enzymatic or co-transcriptional capping technology, with the capability and platform processes for mRNA purification using filtration or chromatographic approaches.
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Quality and titre optimisation using a design of experiment approach at small scale for cost-effective optimisation, with the ability to linearly scale up to litre scale and the option for intermediate scale-up in ambr15 and ambr250 automated bioreactor systems.
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Process development and state-of-the-art equipment for scale-up of nanotherapeutic-based delivery systems, such as lipid nanoparticle encapsulated RNA, including a choice of manufacturing process, development and scale-up of purification strategies to match mRNA synthesis scale.
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Formulation development of encapsulated mRNA with cryoprotectants for successful lyophilisation via freeze-drying, including stability assessment and product characterisation.
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Established analytical methods for characterisation of product pre and post encapsulation, including concentration, purity,identity, residual impurities, particle sizing, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency.
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Flexible manufacturing process across a variety of scales dependent on client requirements for end product.
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Development of bespoke analytical methods to support cell-based expression analysis of the translated product (pre and post encapsulation) including ELISA, western blotting and/or flow cytometry.
![Asif Tulah Asif Tulah](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/asif-tullah.jpeg?w=400&h=400&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1623838214&s=d685b818cc195ff1762d8a09595ef9b3)
Our core capabilities
Our platform process enables companies to ‘plug and play’, accelerating vaccine and therapeutic scale-up. As an independent facility, we can transfer the processes that we develop with you to your manufacturing site or CDMO of your choosing. Our research and development work is ISO9001 certified and we manufacture under GMP standards.
![<p>Expertise</p> <p>Expertise</p>](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-collab.jpg?w=100&h=100&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218323&s=7f15095d23f82a910bfa88ea0e166b57 100w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-collab.jpg?w=200&h=200&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218323&s=abea84341b5e82226909a57c0e7816ff 200w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-collab.jpg?w=400&h=400&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218323&s=3d37f8567912e25d21f158ab29077d3e 400w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-collab.jpg?w=300&h=300&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218323&s=b9866a620f2c29ad5ee6d126ae584a10 300w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-collab.jpg?w=600&h=600&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218323&s=7a4d8f0e8aa137ae455d553dfa0dddf4 600w)
Expertise
Access to bioprocess development and scale-up experts.
![<p>End-to-end workflow</p> <p>End-to-end workflow</p>](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-lab-3.jpg?w=100&h=100&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218042&s=ac6b4a46351693cd3964963c2c1f4611 100w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-lab-3.jpg?w=200&h=200&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218042&s=41316d139103513fbed8192ee94e7174 200w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-lab-3.jpg?w=400&h=400&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218042&s=d1eea5f96d83244f289a00304a8a03f4 400w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-lab-3.jpg?w=300&h=300&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218042&s=c0031cf89f0b01e9e323abf06151b74a 300w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-lab-3.jpg?w=600&h=600&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218042&s=38af807d73253399962fad74b302e621 600w)
End-to-end workflow
From small-scale to large-scale manufacturing.
![<p>State-of-the-art capabilities</p> <p>State-of-the-art capabilities</p>](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-3-1.jpg?w=100&h=100&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220510&s=03d9185f11022570f57a00fb160e9240 100w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-3-1.jpg?w=200&h=200&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220510&s=d8465c3c9f15527dee9914f6b703b3b4 200w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-3-1.jpg?w=400&h=400&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220510&s=2e3bd5f1962d4ea384209c4aa266872d 400w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-3-1.jpg?w=300&h=300&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220510&s=df8f9da5ae58364872c2f43b484a7ef1 300w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-3-1.jpg?w=600&h=600&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220510&s=a4cc7444c2608de0dacb0d52e808e33e 600w)
State-of-the-art capabilities
Access a diverse range of equipment and expertise.
![<p>Technology transfer</p> <p>Technology transfer</p>](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-1277970485.jpg?w=100&h=100&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629917234&s=32afa643bbcab4ba0d0a0d4000be6cca 100w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-1277970485.jpg?w=200&h=200&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629917234&s=b865a4fef8ff44c04f91ee71df2ba196 200w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-1277970485.jpg?w=400&h=400&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629917234&s=f21ae581d4b20e0e73a2a6a5e06346f7 400w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-1277970485.jpg?w=300&h=300&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629917234&s=364b2a96752ed83cf6b172594c75f85a 300w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/GettyImages-1277970485.jpg?w=600&h=600&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1629917234&s=fab0bb2b6fc21c70548597c34a4f3fd0 600w)
Technology transfer
To a client’s manufacturing facility or CDMO.
![<p>Expertise in formulation</p> <p>Expertise in formulation</p>](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=100&h=100&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=c373ec1d4de3442102b01612211663d2 100w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=200&h=200&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=470ef519a79db5c82a4c701d14a132f1 200w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=400&h=400&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=d4bbfa4f13c00105e55bf8f219363114 400w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=300&h=300&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=ce9151ae96c551c04b3000e0958acf52 300w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=600&h=600&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=5587ea3637558c6f7eddac27ed69117e 600w)
Expertise in formulation
Cryopreservation development, forced degradation and stability studies.
![<p>Process optimisation</p> <p>Process optimisation</p>](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-update.jpg?w=100&h=100&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218028&s=757be83041721a6abdced8246121a23c 100w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-update.jpg?w=200&h=200&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218028&s=6b1d79022b778abe86c2287e61edec5e 200w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-update.jpg?w=400&h=400&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218028&s=c178da6787e0ac02bcc680754b39cd00 400w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-update.jpg?w=300&h=300&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218028&s=7f2e9acc0f984dbbb10f335ef3decca5 300w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/biologics-update.jpg?w=600&h=600&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218028&s=6ed5c1faa80ca6f417c5e39260120563 600w)
Process optimisation
Experience in helping companies to develop an optimised protocol for the production of their nucleic acid-based process, reduce batch-batch variability and improve product quality and quantity.
Our track record of innovation
Our experience in RNA projects includes multiple partners, ranging from SMEs to larger corporates and academic institutions.
- CPI played a key role in the accelerated development of COVID-19 vaccines as part of the UK Government’s Vaccine Taskforce. As a result, we’ve built the knowledge and networks to support every stage of RNA development and scale-up.
- At the CPI-led Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, we’re delivering a project aiming to revolutionise the manufacture of oligonucleotides, short strands of synthetic DNA or RNA. This collaborative project between industry and government aims to develop a scalable, sustainable and more cost-effective medicines manufacturing process.
Innovation insights
Read what our experts have to say about vaccine development.