A REVOLUTIONARY North-East centre will play a crucial role in developing treatment for diabetes and cancer sufferers.

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has revealed it is part of a consortium led by Midatech Biogune, focused on insulin patches.

Bosses say the project will provide work across the CPI’s North-East sites, including its new £38m National Biologics Manufacturing Centre, in Darlington’s Central Park, which is expected to research and develop potentially life-saving cures and vaccines.

They added the deal will also provide scope for future developments across the sector, including cancer treatment, with its expertise and facilities available for other firms to benefit from.

Work is expected to start early next year, with the CPI’s Darlington site due to open in months.

Juliana Haggerty, CPI programme manager for the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre, told The Northern Echo: “The market for insulin products like this is large.

“We will have all the expertise and kit, and companies behind these types of developments will be able to come to us and get help in their processes.”

Dr Chris Dowle, CPI director of biologics, said the consortium was another coup after the organisation previously secured Government backing for a second £20m Darlington research centre.

It says that site will be the first of its type in Europe to test and make technology to deliver medicines for specific diseases and patient cases, and it is expected to support up to 100 construction jobs and create 20 roles when it opens in 2017.

Dr Dowle said: “Helping to secure the funding for this project is a significant milestone.

“Beating off competition from an extremely competitive environment, we were able to assist Midatech in gaining the relevant funding it needs to move forward with the project, an obstacle often difficult to overcome for a small firm.”

Dr Jim Phillips, Midatech chief executive, added: “We are delighted to have joined forces with CPI.

“They have provided a high level support and are an ideal partner going forward together with the other consortium members.

“We are looking forward to a highly productive and fruitful collaboration.”