CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub

What CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub does

CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub is a university research centre operated by the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, United Kingdom, focused on transforming medicines manufacturing through continuous manufacturing, advanced crystallisation, and digital technologies. Established in 2011 as the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Continuous Manufacturing and Crystallisation and re-launched as the CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub in December 2016 with a £50M EPSRC award, the centre operates as a seven-university consortium (Strathclyde, Bath, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Leeds, Loughborough, Sheffield) alongside a tiered global industry membership programme. Core activities span pre-competitive industrially-relevant research, postgraduate training (PhD, MSc Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, CEDAR Centre for Doctoral Training, MSCA fellowship network), and translational services for pharmaceutical manufacturers and CDMOs.

The technology stack centres on MicroFactory modular lab-scale end-to-end continuous-manufacturing platforms, Digital Twins for process simulation, AR/VR solutions for technology transfer, and an £11M CMAC Data Lab housing an NVIDIA DGX H100 supercomputer — the first UK university deployment configured for AI-driven sustainable medicines manufacturing research. Supporting tools include the ESTAN Toolbox for crystallisation model estimability, Knowledge Graph software for CMC data management, the OpenCMC™ spinout launched March 2026, and digital-transformation programmes including DM² (£5M EPSRC). CMAC also runs the £1M CERSI regulatory-science initiative, the MediForge Industry 5.0 hub, and a national medicines-manufacturing facility within Strathclyde's Technology and Innovation Centre.

Revenue is generated through a blend of competitive government grant funding (EPSRC, UKRPIF, Innovate UK, UKRI, Horizon Europe), tiered industry membership fees (Tier 1 strategic partners Pfizer, AstraZeneca, GSK, Sanofi, Shionogi; Tier 2 members; Translation to Industry Collaborators including Lonza and Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services), collaborative research contracts, and training programme fees delivered via the University of Strathclyde. The centre has attracted more than £50 million in cumulative external investment, participates in the £56M Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre partnership with industry and the Scottish Government, employs 101–250 staff, and operates from Glasgow headquarters, a Central London office opened in April 2022, and a Japan/Switzerland/USA partner engagement footprint.

Name

CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub

Legal name

CMAC (Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallisation) operated by University of Strathclyde

Website

https://cmac.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub is a University of Strathclyde-operated research centre in Glasgow delivering continuous manufacturing, crystallisation, and digital medicines manufacturing research, training, and translational services to global pharmaceutical companies and CDMOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Research

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

CMC & Pharmaceutical Development (Formulation/Process/Analytical Development) (HLAIALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

CMC Regulatory Affairs (Modules 2/3, Variations, Post-Approval CMC) (HLAGAKAB), Small-Molecule CMC Documentation & Regulatory Support (DMF/CMC) (HLAGAHAM), Clinical Trial Material (CTM) Manufacturing & Supply CDMO (HLAGABAK)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing research
• Continuous manufacturing
• Advanced crystallisation
• Medicines development
• Pharmaceutical training programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Funding: Major grant funding from EPSRC, UKRPIF, Innovate UK, and other research councils for medicines manufacturing research programmes
2. Industry Membership Fees: Tiered industry partnership memberships (Tier 1, Tier 2, Translation to Industry Collaborators) providing access to research capabilities and facilities
3. Training Programme Fees: PhD programmes, MSc courses, and SkillsFactory online training delivered in collaboration with University of Strathclyde

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CMAC delivers industrially relevant medicines manufacturing research, postgraduate training, and access to a National Facility housing continuous processing and characterisation equipment. It operates tiered industry partnerships, conducts collaborative research with pharmaceutical companies and CDMOs, and develops proprietary technologies such as MicroFactories, Digital Twins, and AR/VR solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Product overview

CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub is a world-class international research hub operated by the University of Strathclyde for medicines manufacturing research and training. The hub operates as a multi-institutional consortium (University of Strathclyde, Bath, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Leeds, Loughborough, Sheffield) offering a portfolio of interconnected programmes and services. The core offering includes PhD and MSc training programmes (CEDAR CDT, MediForge, PhD@Work, MSc Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing), the SkillsFactory online learning platform, and the National Facility providing continuous processing and characterisation equipment. Research infrastructure includes the £11M CMAC Data Lab with NVIDIA DGX H100 supercomputing, MicroFactories and Digital Twins for modular continuous manufacturing, and the Digital Medicines Manufacturing (DM²) programme. The hub also includes a £1M CERSI initiative for regulatory science innovation. Key offerings connect through industry partnerships to translate research into industrial impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CEDAR: Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber-Physical Systems for Medicine Manufacturing - EPSRC funded CDT training 90 PhDs
• MediForge
• DM2
• SkillsFactory
• CMAC Data Lab
• OpenCMC

Products and services

• MSc Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing A postgraduate course designed to produce highly skilled graduates in continuous manufacturing science and technology to meet the growing demands for expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing, delivered in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde.
• PhD Programmes (CEDAR, MediForge, PhD@Work) Multi-disciplinary PhD training programmes including CEDAR Centre for Doctoral Training, MediForge Hub, and PhD@Work programmes driven by real-world industry challenges.
• SkillsFactory Online learning platform designed to support upskilling across the medicines manufacturing community through e-learning courses, webinars, and in-person training and workshops.
• CEDAR - Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber-Physical Systems for Medicine Manufacturing EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training training 90 PhDs in cyber-physical systems for medicines manufacturing, designed to revolutionise the pharmaceutical and technology sectors.
• MediForge Hub EPSRC-funded Hub to transform the development and manufacturing of medicines by pioneering an Industry 5.0 manufacturing system for sustainable, resilient, and human-centric medicine production.
• Digital Medicines Manufacturing (DM2) A £5M research centre focusing on digital transformation of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC) processes, aligned with Made Smarter Innovation.
• CMAC Data Lab An £11 million UKRPIF-funded digital medicine manufacturing research accelerator featuring NVIDIA DGX H100 supercomputing capabilities.
• National Facility Comprehensive suite of continuous processing, process analysis, and characterisation equipment housed in the Technology and Innovation Centre at Strathclyde.
• Centre of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) A £1M project to advance regulatory processes by integrating cutting-edge digital technologies and support implementation of Quality by Digital Design (QbDD) across the pharmaceutical sector.
• Research & Consultancy Services Industrially relevant research delivered by a multidisciplinary and collaborative academic team, including collaborative research and client stories for industry partners.
• MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships hosting international postdoctoral researchers in a collaborative, industry-connected environment.
• OpenCMC An innovation gateway spinout designed to unlock the commercial potential of the advanced Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC) innovation portfolio at CMAC, building on CMAC's position as a globally recognised centre of excellence in advanced medicines manufacturing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £50 million investment attracted to date
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.

• ShionogicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2025Leading Japanese pharmaceutical company joining as Tier 1 partner for global collaboration and innovation.
• LonzacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2025Translation to Industry Collaborator enhancing service offering for specialty and enhanced drug product and particle technologies.
• SiemensstrategicTechnology or Integration · 11 February 2025Technology partner in CERSI project for digital regulatory science and innovation.
• Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2024First Translation to Industry Collaborator and global CDMO joining CMAC for advanced manufacturing innovation.
• OpenCMCsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2024CMAC spinout designed as innovation gateway to unlock commercial potential of advanced CMC innovation portfolio.
• Malvern PanalyticalsupportingTechnology or Integration · 23 February 2024Tier 2 member providing cutting-edge analytical technology capabilities to CMAC's technology portfolio.
• SanoficoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2024Tier 1 partner fostering research and innovation in advanced pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
• GSKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2019Tier 1 partner participating in Grand Challenge for continuous manufacturing platform development, including direct compression platform for oral solid dosage drugs.
• Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2018£56 million world-first industry-led innovation centre. CMAC is strategic partner, translating research output to industry.
• PfizercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2017Strategic Tier 1 member and former Industry Board Chair representation. Active collaborator in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing research.
• Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2017International partnership combining world-leading complementary expertise for accelerated progress in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• University of StrathclydecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2011Operated by the University of Strathclyde, serving as the lead institution for the CMAC consortium. Located in Glasgow's Innovation District with world-class facilities in the Technology and Innovation Centre.
• University of BathcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of seven partner universities in the CMAC consortium, contributing to multidisciplinary research in medicines manufacturing.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing academic expertise to the CMAC consortium for pharmaceutical manufacturing research.
• Imperial College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in the CMAC consortium with expertise in chemical engineering and pharmaceutical sciences.
• University of LeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing to crystallisation and process engineering research within CMAC.
• Loughborough UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in the CMAC consortium supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing research.
• University of SheffieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing to medicines manufacturing research and training.
• AstraZenecacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTier 1 partner collaborating on continuous manufacturing research and Grand Challenge projects.
• Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC)supportingTechnology or IntegrationTier 2 member since 2018, providing structural data tools for pharmaceutical manufacturing scientists.
• Bristol-Myers SquibbstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal pharmaceutical partner in CERSI consortium advancing regulatory processes.
• De Montfort UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in CERSI collaboration for regulatory science innovation.
• digiM SolutionsupportingTechnology or IntegrationDigital technology partner revolutionising digital CMC processes and accelerating digital transformation research.
• Plvs UltrasupportingTechnology or IntegrationKnowledge Graph software provider integrated into CMAC Data Lab for drug development and manufacturing data management.
• CPIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent technology innovation centre and founding member of UK Government's High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Partner in SCOUT project and MMIC.
• Glasgow School of ArtsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for augmented reality solutions development in medicines manufacturing transformation.
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie ActionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU funding programme supporting postdoctoral fellowships at CMAC for international researchers.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• CPI (Centre for Process Innovation): UK-based independent technology innovation centre and founding member of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and a strategic partner of CMAC through the MMIC. CPI operates national facilities, industry membership models, and translational science programmes that directly overlap with CMAC's research infrastructure and industry engagement model.
• RCPE (Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering): Austria-based research centre for pharmaceutical engineering and continuous manufacturing, with which CMAC has a formal international partnership announced in 2017. RCPE operates a comparable model combining industry partnership funding, pilot-scale facilities, and translational science, making it a direct peer in continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing research.
• NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training): Ireland-based national research and training centre for bioprocessing, operating a similar consortium model with industry membership tiers and dedicated pilot facilities. NIBRT is the closest direct peer to CMAC, focused on biopharma manufacturing training and translational research, and the two hubs frequently co-bid on global pharma training programmes.
• APC Ltd (Applied Process Company): Ireland-based process innovation company specialising in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, co-founded by a former Pfizer team. APC operates a similar blend of academic-industry translational research and pilot-scale continuous manufacturing services, making it a direct commercial peer for CMAC's CDMO-facing Translation to Industry tier.
• C-SOPS (Center for Structured Organic Particulate Systems): US-based NSF Engineering Research Center focused on pharmaceutical manufacturing science, with similar continuous manufacturing and process analytical technology research. C-SOPS is a direct academic peer to CMAC for pharmaceutical particulate and crystallisation research, and the two centres collaborate on common industry challenges.

Regional players

• NIBRT-GE BioPark Innovation Centre: While NIBRT is a direct peer, the broader NIBRT-GE BioPark cluster in Ireland represents a regional alternative to CMAC's UK-based training and translational research offering for European pharma. Companies and trainees may choose between CMAC Glasgow and the Dublin cluster for similar capability development.

Emerging players

• SINTEF: Norway-based independent research organisation with significant pharmaceutical manufacturing and process technology research, and a growing industry partnership model. SINTEF competes with CMAC for European pharma translational funding and offers overlapping crystallisation, formulation, and continuous processing capabilities.
• MIB (Manchester Institute of Biotechnology): University of Manchester-based biotechnology research institute with industry partnerships in pharmaceutical bioprocessing. MIB is an emerging player in the UK academic pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape, partially overlapping with CMAC's training and translational research offerings for pharma partners.

Others

• Siemens (Process Industries & Drives): Industrial automation and digital twin technology provider that is a CERSI project partner with CMAC. Siemens is an adjacent ecosystem enabler, providing the automation, simulation, and digital twin infrastructure underpinning CMAC's MicroFactory and Industry 5.0 initiatives, and a key technology channel for any commercial translation of CMAC's research.
• BioPhorum: Industry-led consortium organisation convening biopharmaceutical manufacturers, suppliers, and regulators on shared pre-competitive projects. BioPhorum is an adjacent enabling peer, setting industry standards and roadmaps that shape the agenda CMAC's research addresses, and it is a frequent co-funding partner on translational manufacturing initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/epsrc_cmac
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbic3O4IH1TLhExyY9Utmg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cmachub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub