Science, engineering & technology news

NETPark-based Magnitude Biosciences has promoted Sara Leighton to Chief Operating Officer, recognising her contribution to the company’s development over the past four years. Sara moves into the role from her previous position as Head of Operations. She has played an important part in strengthening the systems, processes and quality standards supporting Magnitude’s growth, while contributing to its fundraising and grant activity. Her work has also covered company culture and

NETPark-based Kromek has reported increased revenue and continued commercial progress across its advanced imaging and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection divisions. The County Durham company, which develops radiation and biological threat-detection technology, generated revenue of £27.1 million in the year ending 30 April 2026, up from £26.5 million the previous year. Profit before tax reached £2.5 million, slightly ahead of expectations. Growth in

Filtronic is set to supply equipment to an unnamed US-based customer after strengthening its order book with a £5.9 million deal.

NETPark-based Magnitude Biosciences has secured £1.3 million to accelerate the commercialisation of VivoScan™, its whole-organism drug screening platform. The investment will help the Durham University spinout expand its work with pharmaceutical companies, increase automation and recruit new members of staff. Dr Fozia Saleem, CEO and Dr Chris Saunter CTO at Magnitude Biosceince Supporting faster drug discovery Magnitude Biosciences is a specialist contract research organisati

Global investment in the infrastructure needed to support artificial intelligence could reach US$31.6 trillion between 2026 and 2050, according to new analysis from PwC. Its Global Data Centre Outlook forecasts that annual capital spending on data centres will rise from around $800 billion in 2026 to $1.8 trillion by 2050. Growing demand for chips and communications technology Much of this investment will be directed towards the technology inside data centres. PwC expects chi

UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £12 million to support collaborative research into advanced materials and help move new technologies towards commercial use. The funding is available through the first collaborative research and development competition under Innovate UK’s National Materials Innovation Programme. Four advanced materials research themes Projects must focus on at least one of four themes: Future healthcare solutions, including biomaterials, medical de

Pragmatic Semiconductor has appointed Dr Paul James as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Operations. Dr James brings 25 years of semiconductor industry experience, covering fabrication operations, technology transfers, industrialisation and business transformation. He most recently served as Managing Director of Vishay Newport Limited, formerly Nexperia, where he led its transition from an integrated device manufacturer to an independent foundry. In his new role,

The UK Government has launched a new UK Space Strategy, setting out how it plans to grow the country’s space sector, strengthen national security and develop the sovereign capabilities needed to protect increasingly important space infrastructure. Backed by £7.8 billion of government investment to 2030, the strategy identifies four priority areas: Satellite Communications, Space Domain Awareness, In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM), and Assured Access to Spa

Greig Rooney Appointed CPI CEO CPI has announced the appointment of Greig Rooney as its next Chief Executive. He will take up the role on 1 December 2026, succeeding Frank Millar. Greig joined CPI’s Executive Leadership Team in January 2026 as Managing Director for Pharma and HealthTech. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biopharmaceutical manufacturing in the UK, Europe and United States. Before joining CPI, Greig was M

Four NETPark companies have been highlighted in a new government study examining the scale and importance of the UK semiconductor sector. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Semiconductor Sector Study 2026 identifies Pragmatic Semiconductor, Filtronic, aXenic and Kromek among the businesses contributing to North East England’s advanced electronics cluster. The study identifies 703 semiconductor companies across the UK, generating an estimated £10.6 billion