CPI celebrates 20 years of innovation and economic impact at Westminster event

Since CPI was formed in 2004 at The Wilton Centre in Redcar, CPI has helped to unlock over £3 billion in private investment, supported over 1,300 businesses, and created high-value jobs in the North East and beyond.

Anna Turley MP recognised CPI’s impact on the region’s economy and industrial landscape: ​“CPI has a huge role to play when it comes to making Britain a clean energy superpower, our commitment to hitting net zero by 2030, and building an industrial strategy that has deep roots in local communities. 

“CPI holds the key to achieving so much of this government’s ambition — driving growth, pushing technological innovation, and building a future where world-class science and industry transform communities like mine in Redcar.” 

Additional speakers at the event reflected on CPI’s pivotal role in driving UK innovation and industrial strategy. Director General Alex Jones for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology highlighted CPI’s real-world impact in engineering biology, RNA technology, and medicines manufacturing. She noted that CPI’s capabilities in scaling advanced therapies such as oligonucleotides are helping to improve patient outcomes and position the UK as a global leader in healthcare innovation.

Dr Stella Peace, Interim Executive Chair of Innovate UK, reflected on her own experience in the life sciences industry and praised CPI’s role in de-risking innovation for SMEs. She noted that CPI’s expertise in scaling health technologies and reducing manufacturing costs aligns with Innovate UK’s Healthy Living priorities, ensuring that new treatments reach patients faster.

Dr Luana Ferrara, Head of R&D and Collaborations at Qkine, shared how CPI’s technical and business support has helped her company scale up and secure investment. Qkine’s success reflects CPI’s ability to provide both scientific expertise and commercial guidance, helping businesses navigate the complex path from innovation to market success.

Frank Millar, CEO of CPI, reinforced CPI’s long-term commitment to supporting UK businesses and industrial growth: ​“For two decades, CPI has been transforming breakthrough ideas into commercial success — creating high-value jobs, improving healthcare, and making UK industry more sustainable. Looking ahead, our focus is on ensuring innovation continues to benefit people, businesses, and the economy.”

Jennie Younger, Chair of CPI’s Board, added: ​“CPI’s success over the past 20 years is built on strong partnerships with government, industry, and academia. Our role in the High Value Manufacturing Catapult has ensured that UK businesses have the support and infrastructure needed to scale and succeed, strengthening the UK’s position as world leaders in science and technology innovation.”

As the UK looks to the future, CPI remains committed to ensuring that innovation translates into real-world impact — helping businesses scale up, improving patient outcomes, and delivering sustainable solutions to global challenges.