Funding supports Phytome help diversify Cornwall into a science hub for ‘ground-breaking’ work

“We’re very proud the Shared Prosperity Fund has been able to recognise that groundbreaking work we’ve been developing over the past five years.” – Dr Sebastian Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer.

More than £1,800,000 funding has been awarded to Phytome Research Ltd SMART-Ag, a programme of investment to benefit the agricultural and innovation landscape of Cornwall.

Delivered across three sites with Phytome’s strategic partners, Duchy College Rosewarne and University of Plymouth, this ambitious plan is designed to unlock a new approach to Cornwall’s agri-technology industry.

Phytome Research Ltd (PRL)’s mission is to use scientific exploration to reconnect people with plants to progress medicinal knowledge.

Dr Sebastian Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer, says: “Over the past five years, we’ve been building a revolutionary research campus here in Cornwall focused on the biomanufacturing of medicines in plants and then moving on towards the formulation and clinical trial development of those medicines for patients in need.

“To have been awarded this important grant from the Good Growth Fund, it really enables us to take the next step.

“Our goal is to develop a platform that expands our botanical medicine research and develops medicines into clinical trials and within the Cornwall context.”

Dr Nigel Gale, Director of Research and Development, believes what they are doing at Phytome is ‘truly special’.

He said: “We combine traditional farming knowledge with cutting edge science and building a world class pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

“What we have is year-round production offering full-time, high-skilled jobs rather than just seasonal employment.

“The Good Growth Programme’s investment has allowed us to frankly do something we wouldn’t be able to do – that’s advanced growing pharmaceutical manufacturing and a complementary analytical testing lab.”

Nicky Collard, Project Manager says Cornwall has an economy built on tourism, and food and farming ‘but to be able to diversify Cornwall into a science hub is incredible’.

She adds: “It’s extremely important for people to be able to have careers in this scientific and pharmaceutical industry in Cornwall.

“We’re allowing our young people to go away to university and bring those skillsets back to Cornwall, which previously they would never have been able to do.”

Leigh Setterington, Chief of Staff, says: “The Good Growth investment has given us the opportunity to really be able to expand on our infrastructure and our operational capabilities. That in turn, is creating new jobs across the region – new and exciting roles.”

Adam Parnell, Campus Director, says: “Phytome is creating a centre of excellence in phyto biotechnology. But I think more generally, Cornwall has a unique opportunity to be at the very forefront of agritech.”

Phytome SMART-Ag is made possible thanks to investment from the Good Growth Programme, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.