CPI celebrates 10 years of biologics innovation in Darlington

The centre, officially named the Nigel Perry Building in 2024 to honour our founding CEO, has supported hundreds of companies to bring breakthrough medicines to market and created high-value jobs in the North East of England. 

Since opening in 2015 with £38 million of government investment, the Darlington centre has collaborated with more than 220 organisations to deliver over 250 R&D projects valued at over £97 million. Each year, the team helps to develop around 40 new products or processes for partners ranging from start-ups to global pharmaceutical companies. 

The site has also played a pivotal role in strengthening the UK’s RNA capabilities. In 2023, we expanded our Darlington footprint with the RNA Centre of Excellence, followed in 2025 by the UK RNA Biofoundry, a £29.6 million government-backed initiative hosted at our RNA Centre of Excellence, which supports the rapid development of RNA vaccines and therapies.

Yesterday, we hosted an anniversary event, bringing together leaders from industry, academia, and government to reflect on CPI’s journey and look ahead to the next decade of biologics innovation. Speakers included Steve Bagshaw CBE, Chair of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult; Nigel Perry MBE, our founding CEO and now Non-Executive Director; and Frank Millar, our current CEO. The day featured partner case studies, facility tours, and a fireside discussion on the future of UK biologics and RNA manufacturing.

Frank Millar, CEO of CPI, said:

“Ten years ago, CPI set out to help the UK lead the world in biologics manufacturing innovation, and this centre has delivered on that ambition. Darlington has become a hub where industry, academia, government and investors work together to turn groundbreaking science into real-world impact.’’

Nigel Perry MBE, former CEO of CPI and Non-Executive Director, said:

“This centre was built to serve the UK – to help companies of all sizes bring biologics to market faster and strengthen our national capability. Seeing how it’s evolved over the past decade is a source of real pride.”

Dr Beverley Isherwood, PACE Director and Strategy Leader – Infectious Diseases at Medicines Discovery Catapult, was one of the expert panellists at yesterday’s event:

“Working across the Catapult Network, Medicines Discovery Catapult helps to accelerate the journey from early-stage discovery to large-scale manufacture. CPI Darlington is a critical collaborator in this pathway, enabling innovators to advance next-generation biologics towards patient impact.”

As Darlington also celebrates 200 years in 2025 since the world’s first public railway, CPI’s anniversary highlights the town’s enduring legacy of innovation, from steam engines to RNA medicines, and from local ambition to global impact.