Research grant

has received a £1m grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (

) to establish a laboratory that will train the

’s future generation of biochemical engineers.

With backing from regional development agency, One North East, the project is expected to support biopharmaceutical process development at the university’s Biopharmaceutical and Bioprocessing Centre.

Prof Gary Montague, who is leading the project with Prof Elaine Martin, said the laboratory would also be a valuable resource for local industry and provide the university with greater opportunities for collaboration with experts from the north east.

Chris Pywell, head of strategic economic change at One North East, said: ‘One North East is happy to lend support to Newcastle University for its new Centre for Biopharmaceutical Process Development.

‘Bringing together a host of expertise from across the UK, the centre will help sustain the region as a valuable contributor to drug development and research.’