The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation

Monday 4th October, 2004 New Pharmaceutical Research Institute Hosts International Launch

The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation (IPI) is a new facility dedicated to drug development research and bioscience commercialisation. Built with 2m assistance from Yorkshire Forward, the IPI was officially opened in October 2003. Research in the IPI focuses on drug formulation and delivery, with special emphases on developing in-silco techniques to accelerate the drug development process, using high-powered computing resources.

Director of the IPI Paul Thorning said: “Since opening, the IPI team has established world-class pharmaceutical research capabilities, and developed a research agenda that addresses the urgent need to accelerate drug development. This event is intended to raise awareness of new opportunities in drug development. The event will promote the capability of the IPI, alongside national agencies and regional partners, to support industry in bringing improved drugs to market more quickly.”

The event will raise awareness of new opportunities to accelerate drug development, to promote the research capabilities of the IPI to the international pharmaceutical industry and to promote the Yorkshire and Humber region and the UK as the location of choice for drug development activity. The launch will be split into two parts.

An afternoon launch will be held at the Royal Society will include:

• Opening address by Lord David Sainsbury of Turville, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation
• The IPI Vision
• Launch of IPI Research programme
• ‘Accelerating Drug Development – forward thinking and future directions’, a keynote speech by Professor Sir Alasdair Breckenridge, Chairman of the UK’s MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), on the Agency’s unique contribution to streamlining drug development, the benefits of conducting clinical research in the UK, and the role innovation is playing in this

• Exhibition – including Yorkshire Forward and national government stands, displays from regional partners

  An evening event will take place at the House of Lords and will include:

• Welcome by Baroness Lockwood
• The IPI Vision
• Reception canaps and drinks

• Closing address

  Attendees of this event will include:

• Chief Executives, Research Directors and Senior Regulatory Officers from multinational and other large pharmaceutical companies
• Chief Executives of overseas companies seeking to develop drug candidates in European markets (anticipated in-bound trade missions from US and Japan)
• Senior Executives from partners in NHS, DTI, UKTI, Department of Health and other senior home and overseas Government officials

• Senior representatives from funding organisations

  Further information for companies wishing to participate in this event can be obtained from Dr Riddhi Shukla at: or telephone +44 (0)1274 236196.

  General University Press contacts:

  For further information, please contact Rachael Ellis or Emma Banks in Corporate Communications on (01274) 233084/9 or 07879 437986. Alternatively, e-mail press@bradford.ac.uk or fax on (01274) 236280.