Medicines Manufacturing: Labs of the Future

The Medicines Manufacturing: Labs of the Future competition is a funding opportunity delivered by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It supports projects that develop and apply digital, automated and robotic technologies to improve the speed and efficiency of pharmaceutical process development and manufacturing.

The competition is part of a broader effort to transform medicines manufacturing through advanced technologies such as AI, automation and data-driven systems, helping to create more flexible, agile and scalable production environments.

Projects are expected to accelerate the commercialisation and adoption of innovative manufacturing solutions, improving productivity, reducing time-to-patient and enabling scientists to focus on higher-value work. These technologies contribute to the vision of “labs of the future”, where integrated digital and automated systems enhance both development and manufacturing processes.

By supporting innovation in this area, the programme aims to strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in modern, efficient and technology-enabled medicines manufacturing, driving economic growth and improving healthcare outcomes.