Over £1 million in Life Sciences Innovation Zone funding will support the development of the Microbiome and Infectious Disease Innovation Hub (MaID) leveraging the University of Liverpool’s leading expertise in this fast-growing field.

Microbiomes complex communities of microorganisms living throughout the human body play vital roles in digestion metabolism mucus production and protection against harmful pathogens.

As scientific understanding of microbiomes deepens their potential in healthcare continues to expand offering promising new avenues for addressing cancer mental health conditions inflammatory bowel disease and the escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance which could have severe consequences by 2050 if left unaddressed.

The UK is currently the third-largest contributor to global microbiome research but faces challenges in translating discoveries into practical applications despite the sector's rapidly growing market soon projected to be worth billions.

Spearheaded by the University of Liverpool in collaboration with CPI the Microbiome and Infectious Disease Innovation Hub (MaID) aims to make the Liverpool City Region a leading center for microbiome innovation by offering critical support to businesses in the sector.

To advance this initiative the University of Liverpool and CPI have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Over the next three years MaID will support 60 innovative businesses through tailored services including expert consultancy laboratory access experimental design data analysis and regulatory and commercial guidance.

By harnessing CPI’s advanced facilities and extensive expertise MaID will offer comprehensive support to businesses and organizations aiming to de-risk and fast-track microbiome and phage therapeutics to market.

The initiative will build on the Liverpool City Region’s strong foundation in microbiome innovation anchored by the University’s Microbiome Innovation Centre (MIC) and Centre for Genomic Research while leveraging CPI’s capabilities to help innovators scale and succeed.Microbiome innovation holds transformative potential for addressing major health challenges like antimicrobial resistance and mental health. The MaID Hub marks a vital step in translating groundbreaking research into real-world solutions. By uniting CPI’s and the University of Liverpool’s expertise the initiative aims to position the Liverpool City Region as a global leader in microbiome innovation and business growth.

Source: https://www.uk-cpi.com/news/cpi-and-the-university-of-liverpool-join-forces-to-create-the-microbiome-and-infectious-disease-innovation-hub