2 min read - 1 Sep, 2025
New £30m Darlington facility to propel next-gen RNA therapies
Backed by £29.6m of government funding, a new facility in Darlington is set to accelerate the development of next-generation RNA therapies, which could aid in tackling cancer, heart conditions, infectious diseases and more.
Named the UK RNA Biofoundry, the specialised facility will help UK scientists and businesses bring their ideas from the laboratory to the market sooner. It will act as a high-tech workshop for manufacturing RNA materials affordably, quickly and to the necessary clinical standard. It will also be able to switch to vaccine production should circumstances require.
RNA therapies reprogramme immune cells or tumour cells, teaching the body how to shut down illnesses, such as certain types of cancer, more effectively. Adaptable, quicker to develop and much more precise than traditional medicines, RNA therapies have the potential to be a ‘game-changer’ for healthcare services, economic potential and pandemic resilience.
A new £30m government-backed facility in Darlington is set to springboard novel RNA therapies, which could help tackle cancer, heart conditions and infectious diseases / Picture: Getty/iStock
The new biofoundry will provide researchers with the best tools to validate their science, attract follow-on investment, and scale production – maintaining the UK’s early lead in RNA science and contributing to the development of a future-ready NHS.
Lord Vallance, science minister, said: “RNA therapies are a new frontier in healthcare. 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, tackling cancers, infectious diseases and more.
“This new biofoundry will accelerate the journey RNA therapies take from labs to the markets, to give our innovators the best opportunities to turn their great ideas into the lifesaving treatments for our NHS patients, and faster. It is a huge step forward in delivering our Life Science Sector Plan, and will help us attract further backing for high-value British manufacturing that will drive growth in all parts of the country, including the North-East.”
The UK RNA Biofoundry will be based at CPI’s RNA Centre of Excellence in Darlington, building on the skills and expertise already present at the UK’s world-leading centre for RNA manufacturing and development. CPI is a not-for-profit translational research and innovation organisation, and a founding member of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which accelerates the growth of innovative UK companies.
Stephen Kinnock, health minister, added: “This investment is exactly the kind of approach that will pull our health service into the 21st century. RNA therapies hold extraordinary promise for patients battling some of our most devastating diseases – from cancer to cardiovascular conditions that claim far too many lives each year.”
