£10m Innovation Zone funding will enable the creation of £20m AI-powered robotic labs in Liverpool that will accelerate testing and approval for lifesaving drugs. Tony McDonough reports
Government funding of £10m will enable the building of AI-powered robotic labs in Liverpool that will accelerate testing and approval for lifesaving drugs.
Set to open 2027, the labs will be based at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and supported by the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON). It is predicted they will generate £40m in investment in the first three years.
This Innovation Zone funding will allow the labs to be fitted with the latest robotics, AI, and liquid handling systems to safely progress research and development of new vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for high-risk and deadly infectious diseases.
LSTM is already home to the largest concentration of Containment Level 3 laboratories in the North West, which played a key role in the rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest project could save more lives across the world.
£20m is coming via the Innovation Zone funding and from the Wolfson Foundation, a registered charity that awards grants to support science and medicine, health, education and the arts and humanities.
Professor Giancarlo Biagini, pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation at LSTM said: “This combined £20m initiative will accelerate the preclinical development of new therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics.
“This investment aligns with our regional commitment to driving health innovation and regional prosperity, ensuring that Liverpool city region remains at the forefront of health science innovation and impact.”
Founded in 2020 with an £18.6m Government grant, iiCON has grown into a £260m programme working with a global network of more than 1,000 organisations, creating hundreds of jobs and bolstering the city region’s R&D infection spend by £1bn.
This new facility will support the next phase of iiCON’s development, bolstering the infection innovation ecosystem between industry, academia, and the NHS to enhance the discovery and route to market for products that tackle infectious disease.
Professor Janet Hemingway, founding director of iiCON, added: “This investment strengthens Liverpool city region’s position as a global hub for infection innovation and reinforces our commitment to fostering impactful collaborations, supporting SMEs, and creating high-value jobs.”
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iiCON’s new lab project forms part of the 10-year Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone programme which aims to attract up to £800m of public and private investment and create 8,000 new skilled jobs.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram also said: “Robotic labs might sound like something out of science fiction, but this is very much science fact – and a massive vote of confidence in our region’s position as a global leader in health innovation.”