Liverpool set to become global leader in cutting-edge microbiome research with new innovation hub

The Liverpool City Region is set to become a national leader in microbiome science, following the launch of a pioneering new facility dedicated to research and innovation in this fast-developing field.

The Microbiome and Innovation Development Hub (MaID), a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and CPI (Centre for Process Innovation), is designed to accelerate the development and commercialisation of microbiome-based technologies. Through this initiative, the city aims to position itself at the forefront of a sector poised to revolutionise healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.

Microbiomes—complex communities of microorganisms that inhabit various environments, including the human body—are increasingly recognised for their critical roles in digestion, immunity, mental health, and disease prevention. Current research is exploring how manipulating microbiomes could contribute to the treatment of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and antimicrobial resistance, among other global health challenges.

The MaID programme will provide comprehensive support to up to 60 businesses over the next three years. This includes access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities, advanced data analysis, regulatory guidance, and strategic support for market entry and scale-up.

Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“This is exactly the kind of project our Innovation Zone was designed to support – bold, world-leading science that creates jobs, attracts investment, and tackles some of the greatest challenges facing global health.

“The Liverpool City Region has the talent, expertise and ambition to lead the way in microbiome innovation, and the MaID hub is a fantastic example of how we’re turning that potential into progress.

“By backing cutting-edge research and helping businesses scale, we’re putting our region firmly on the map as a global force in health and life sciences.”

The initiative builds on the University of Liverpool’s established expertise in microbiome science through its Microbiome Innovation Centre and Centre for Genomic Research. Combined with CPI’s extensive experience in supporting industry-led innovation, MaID represents a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academic discovery and industrial application.

MaID also marks one of the first major investments under the Liverpool City Region’s Life Sciences Investment Zone—an ambitious programme aimed at creating 8,000 new jobs and attracting up to £800 million in private and public sector investment over the next decade.

This significant development not only enhances Liverpool’s longstanding legacy in health and life sciences innovation but also positions the region as a key contributor to the UK’s growing bioeconomy.

Professor Jo Fothergill, Director of the University of Liverpool’s Microbiome Innovation Centre, said:

“At the University we are already exploring academic and industrial capabilities in microbiome science. This latest funding and the launch of MaID, allows us to build momentum and further strengthen Liverpool’s position as a thriving hub for life sciences innovation. We are also delighted to be enhancing our already longstanding relationship with CPI and look forward to making the city region a global leader in this field.”

Dr Arun Harish, Chief Strategy Officer at CPI, said:

“Microbiome innovation has the potential to revolutionise how we tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, from antimicrobial resistance to mental health. The MaID hub represents a significant step forward in connecting scientific discovery to real-world applications.

“By combining the expertise of CPI and the University of Liverpool, we’re proud to support the Liverpool City Region in becoming a global leader in microbiome innovation, empowering local businesses to thrive in a market set to be worth billions.”

Find more information about the Microbiome and Innovation Development Hub in Liverpool here.

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