The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) in the UK has announced the completion of construction work on a new, state-of-the-art facility that will develop next-generation light-based healthcare treatments.
Based at NETPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham (North East England), the National Healthcare Photonics Centre will support the scale-up and commercialisation of MedTech products.
The new infrastructure will act as a hub for businesses of all sizes and academic partners to work on innovative methods of diagnosing disease, imaging systems —including endoscopy— and light-based treatments.
Providing space for work across two floors, the centre covers 2000m2 and includes a suite of specialist laboratories for optical system development and test. Other amenities include:
- laser system applications development
- bio-materials handling and testing
- ionising radiation imaging and testing
- 3D printing
- electronics development and pilot manufacturing work
The building also features client office space to enable companies to locate onsite and work alongside CPI staff on projects.
The infrastructure has been created to enable SMEs to drive forward innovative products and services at reduced risk and with increased capital efficiencies, and to encourage large companies to undertake more disruptive innovation in the healthcare market.