A major UK research funding programme will see new collaborations between academia and the pharmaceutical industry aimed at speeding up drug manufacturing, developing next-generation therapies, and tackling environmental challenges in medicine production.

Twenty-three new Prosperity Partnerships – jointly funded by UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), industry, and academic institutions – have been announced, with a total investment of nearly £100m.

Related Article: ASA takes action against pharmacies breaking rules on weight loss meds

A partnership between AstraZeneca and the University of Bristol will work on replacing palladium – commonly used in pharmaceutical manufacturing – with earth-abundant metals such as iron and nickel, with the aim of reducing environmental impact and cutting carbon emissions.

University College London (UCL) is leading two biopharmaceutical-focused partnerships. One, also with AstraZeneca, will apply artificial intelligence and automation to improve the production of complex biological medicines, including antibody therapies for cancer, obesity, and autoimmune conditions.

Another UCL project, in collaboration with Lonza, will use microfluidics and advanced analytics to optimise manufacturing conditions for protein-based medicines.

At the University of Strathclyde, researchers will work with GSK to design and evaluate novel classes of molecules capable of reprogramming biological systems.

Related Article: Boots pharmacies to pilot ‘sponge on a string’ cancer test

Other partnerships will address pharmaceutical materials and healthcare sustainability. The University of York and Synthomer will develop low-carbon, bio-based monomers for use in health and protective coatings.

Meanwhile, the University of Manchester is partnering with Bupa to reduce plastic waste in clinical settings, while the University of Birmingham and Croda are exploring the environmental breakdown of polymers used in liquid formulations, such as those found in pharmaceutical and personal care products.

Related Article: Patient safety alert issued over loop diuretic tablet shortage

Science minister Lord Vallance said: ‘These partnerships show the range of real-world challenges the UK’s world-class research base is helping to tackle – from cutting carbon emissions in heavy transport, to improving access to life-saving medicines.

‘By backing scientists to work hand-in-hand with industry, we’re combining cutting-edge research with business expertise to turn science into practical solutions that can make a difference in people’s daily lives.’