Potter Clarkson is proud to support the launch of the £14 million Carbon-Loop Sustainable Biomanufacturing Hub (C-Loop), a major new UK initiative designed to transform industrial waste into valuable, sustainable products using engineered biology.
Led by Professor Stephen Wallace at the University of Edinburgh, C-Loop brings together six leading UK universities and over 40 industry partners to develop novel technologies that upcycle waste carbon into high-value chemicals and materials - ranging from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics. This innovative effort is backed by £11 million from UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the “Manufacturing Research Hubs for a Sustainable Future” programme.
At the heart of C-Loop’s vision is the principle that carbon is too valuable to waste. By harnessing the power of engineering biology, the hub will pioneer sustainable manufacturing pathways that reduce reliance on fossil fuels and establish a circular, fossil-free economy.
A NATIONAL BIOFACTORY
As part of the programme, C-Loop will also launch the UK’s first BioFactory - a national platform for waste analysis, sustainability assessment, and the scale-up of bioprocessing innovations. The facility will help accelerate the commercialisation of engineered microbes capable of transforming complex carbon-rich waste into usable materials, while significantly reducing emissions and landfill use.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
C-Loop’s strategic direction will be shaped by a distinguished advisory team chaired by Dr Jen Vanderhoven, COO at BBIA. We are particularly pleased to share that Sara Holland, Chartered UK & European Patent Attorney at Potter Clarkson, has been appointed to C-Loop’s Strategic Advisory Board. Sara brings deep experience in IP strategy across the biotechnology and bioeconomy sectors and will support the hub’s mission to bring sustainable innovations from lab to market.
Speaking on her involvement, Sara said:
C-Loop represents a critical step forward in rethinking how we manage carbon. It’s about making waste work for us - not as a problem, but as a valuable input. I’m excited to work alongside a passionate, cross-disciplinary team driving real-world impact through engineering biology."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
C-Loop is one of four new UKRI-funded manufacturing hubs designed to deliver sustainable growth, reduce carbon emissions, and build resilient, future-ready supply chains. It also complements other UK strategic investments in Engineering Biology, including the GlycoCell Mission Hub led by the University of Nottingham.
POTTER CLARKSON: IP EXPERTISE TO POWER SUSTAINABLE BIOMANUFACTURING
Potter Clarkson is proud to support the launch of the Carbon-Loop Sustainable Biomanufacturing Hub and ongoing activities.
As a leader in intellectual property, we know that innovation only delivers real impact when it is successfully commercialised. That’s why we work closely with researchers and industry to guide the journey from breakthrough to real-world application - ensuring the products and services our global community needs can be realised.
Our dedicated synthetic biology team brings together patent attorneys with expertise in biotechnology, chemistry, engineering and software, enabling us to support every stage of the innovation process. From educating researchers new to IP, to securing strong patent protection, licensing deals, and collaboration agreements, we help unlock the full value of innovation.
At Potter Clarkson, we are delighted to play a small part in supporting this ambitious programme through IP strategy, advisory, and innovation support. We believe that aligning cutting-edge science with robust intellectual property protection is essential to achieving the economic and environmental outcomes C-Loop aspires to deliver.
We look forward to contributing to this transformative journey and continuing to champion the technologies that will define the next generation of sustainable manufacturing.
