Accelerating oligonucleotide innovation: How CPI is shaping the future of medicine

The world of therapeutics is undergoing a revolution, and at the heart of it is a molecule with massive potential—oligonucleotides. These short, synthetically produced strands of DNA or RNA have already transformed treatment options for rare diseases and are poised to deliver therapies for more common conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease. 

But the journey from potential to patient is far from simple. 

At CPI, we’re working to overcome the challenges of oligonucleotide manufacturing with a powerful mix of world-class facilities, cutting-edge research, commercial project delivery, and skills development. Our goal is clear: make oligo-based therapies more accessible, more sustainable, and more scalable—and ultimately, help save lives. 

⚙️ Facilities & capabilities: The Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Innovation Centre of Excellence 

In December 2024, Scotland’s First Minister broke ground on CPI’s Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Innovation Centre of Excellence (OMICE), a facility jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments. Located in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), and adjacent to our Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, the facility aims to accelerate the development and clinical availability of oligonucleotide-based therapies. 

Our vision is to make this a world-leading hub for sustainable manufacturing innovation. The centre addresses the shortage of clinical trial manufacturing capacity and provides a space where pharma companies, SMEs, and academia can collaborate to bring new therapies to market faster. 

🧪 Proof in practice: Manufacturing breakthroughs at our Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre 

Our technical capabilities are already delivering results. Our team at the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre recently completed their first two oligonucleotide manufacturing projects for commercial customers, producing complex molecules at lab scale. This milestone marks a significant step toward GMP capability for clinical trials. 

Despite challenges—including equipment issues, scope changes, and even weather disruptions—our teams succeeded through expert planning, collaboration, and a can-do attitude. These pilot projects benchmarked technical, quality, and business development capabilities and were the first of their kind outside our Grand Challenge framework. 

Customer feedback was exceptional, and this success lays a strong foundation for scaling up future GMP manufacturing within OMICE. 

🌍 Sustainability at the core: Reimagining oligo manufacturing 

Today’s oligonucleotide manufacturing is resource-heavy, chemically intensive, and inefficient—a major hurdle in making these life-changing medicines widely available. At CPI, we’re tackling this head-on through Grand Challenge 3, a two-pronged innovation programme housed at our Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre. 

• Nanostar, in collaboration with Exactmer, replaces the traditional solid-phase method with a liquid-phase approach using advanced sieving membranes, boosting efficiency and flexibility. 

• Biocatalysis, a partnership with AstraZeneca, Novartis, BioMarin, and The University of Manchester, is developing a solvent-free, enzyme-driven process that slashes environmental impact and production costs. 

Initial results from these projects are promising: biocatalysis has the potential to cut raw material use sevenfold, while enabling oligonucleotides to be manufactured at much larger scales. 

📚 Skills for the future: CPI’s Oligos Training Academy 

Innovation can only go as far as the people behind it. That’s why we’re launching the CPI's Oligos Training Academy, with courses available starting in August 2025—a skills programme designed to build the specialised workforce that will drive the next generation of oligonucleotide manufacturing. 

The academy offers targeted technical training for early-career professionals, career changers, and those already in the sector looking to upskill. It's a key part of our mission to ensure the UK not only leads in innovation but also in practical capability and talent development. 

🚀 What’s next? 

Oligonucleotide therapies represent one of the most exciting frontiers in medicine. But to unlock their full potential, we need bold, collaborative action to build a scalable, sustainable manufacturing ecosystem. 

With the Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Innovation Centre of Excellence, our pioneering work at the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, and the launch of our Oligos Training Academy, CPI is doing just that—pushing boundaries, solving challenges, and enabling the future of medicine. 

Together with our partners, we’re turning innovation into impact. 

💬 Curious about how you can collaborate with CPI in the oligonucleotide space? Connect with our experts to discuss the opportunities: Claire MacLeod , Barrie Cassey , Andy White , John Arthur .

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