THE HUB VISION

This has been an exciting first year for the Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub (Future BRH) following its launch event in June 2019 and the progress made in early research programmes.

In partnership with industry, the Hub was tasked with accelerating the translation of scalable biomanufacturing processes for value-added chemicals, engineering materials, fuels and pharmaceuticals.

Two Grand Challenge areas have been identified:

i) the accelerated development and integration of biocatalyst engineering ii) realising the value of industrial biotechnology at scale.

In Year 1, Future BRH established a nationwide Hub and Spokes operating model, bringing together some of the leading UK Centres (The University of Manchester, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Nottingham, the UK Catalysis Hub, Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBiolC) and the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)) with expertise in chemicals biomanufacturing, and has implemented innovative research programmes with industry partners.

THE HUB IS ACCELERATING THE DELIVERY OF CHEMICALS BIOMANUFACTURING IN THE UK

Future BRH has recruited a team of Research Fellows (The University of Manchester and University College London) working across the Grand Challenge areas and supporting Platform Technologies.

The Hub has secured major capital investments for laboratory automation to support research programmes in the Grand Challenge 1 theme.

Despite the difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Future BRH has initiated many industry and policy engagement activities. These are shaping research programmes and activities with stakeholders with a view to accelerating the delivery of chemicals biomanufacturing in the UK.

We look forward to working with you and hope to see you at Future BRH events in the coming year.