The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation

Tuesday 26th July, 2005 IPI hosts national biopharmaceuticals strategy workshop

The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation (IPI), based at the University of Bradford, hosted the “The Challenges of Improving the Formulation and Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals” workshop on behalf of bioProcessUK, a part of the BioIndustry Association and a DTI-funded Knowledge Transfer Network, on Thursday 9th June 2005.

The aim of the conference was to ensure that the research funding dedicated to biotechnology and pharmaceuticals in the country is focussed in the correct areas in order to sustain and increase the UKs global competitiveness in this industry. The event was organised by bioProcessUK, and sponsored by the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Yorkshire Forward and the University of Bradford. Over 50 expert formulators and academics from the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry attended the full day event to address key problems in biopharmaceutical formulation and delivery.

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The reputation of the IPI and associated Centre of Industrial Collaboration attracted this significant event to Bradford. Delegates travelled from all over the country to listen to keynote speeches from Professor Peter York and Dr Rob Forbes who are leading specialists in drug formulation and delivery based at the institute.

The agenda for the day included a series of structured discussion workshops to examine the various issues and technology barriers that make protein formulation and delivery such a huge challenge to the global life science industry. The day ended with a solution driven symposium to identifying ways of tackling the problems.

The organisers will be providing feedback to the DTI and the Research Councils so that these key bodies provide essential targeted research funding in this area.

“A common perception for attendees was thinking that they were alone in experiencing biopharmaceutical formulation and delivery issues. The workshop was therefore a significant event for information and knowledge exchange, bringing together senior industry formulators and academics in a new network which will add strength to biopharmaceutical formulation in the UK,” said Piers Lincoln, Commercial Manager at the IPI.

Reza Zadeh, Head of Competitiveness for Yorkshire Forward said: “We are delighted that this national event was held in our region, and that it was supported by so many people who are already working to find solutions to the formulation and delivery of new products.”

This programme is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency and the European regional development fund.