The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation

Wednesday 9th April, 2003 University IPI 'Topping Out'

Project Manager and Associate Dean of Research in the School of Life Sciences, Professor Brian Clark, said: “It’s exciting to see the new Institute taking shape. It will provide the best possible environment for novel research as well as generating significant new high-quality, high-value employment opportunities for the region.

“The IPI will help to enhance our links with industry as we will work closely with local companies and large multinationals in the pharmaceutical and related industries in exploiting research excellence.”

A total 6m in funding has been awarded for the six-floored building, including 1.13m from project allocation funds (HEFCE), 2m from Yorkshire Forward (Regional Development Agency) Funding, 2.63m from the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF*) and 280,000 from other funds.

The new unit, situated on the corner of Tumbling Hill Street and Richmond Road, will house some 40 researchers as well as high quality computing equipment to be used for computer modelling and mathematical manipulation. The new sophisticated computer methods, based on artificial intelligence, will examine data and predict which drugs and their formulations are most likely to succeed, leading to the speedier design of drugs, their testing, and formulating them into suitable medicinal forms for the marketplace.

Apart from the computer-based focus of the IPI, the building will also house an Analytical Centre which will provide high quality facilities to sustain biochemical, pharmaceutical and chemical research of the University and further provide the potential to support local and national industry.

Building work on the IPI is expected to be completed in August 2003.

Notes to editors

The Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF*) is a joint initiative by the Office of Science and Technology (OST) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

Construction work of the project, began in September 2002. Progressive pictures of the building to-date are available from the Press Office.

For further information on the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation, please contact Professor Brian Clark, Project Manager and Associate Dean of Research in Life Sciences, on (01274) 234707 or via email at

Anyone wishing to book a photograph or for media further information, please contact Rachael Ellis in Corporate Communications on (01274) 233084/0787 9437986 or Emma Scales on (01274) 233089.

General University Press contacts

For further media information, please contact Rachael Ellis in Corporate Communications on (01274) 233084/0787 9437986 or Emma Scales on (01274) 233089. Alternatively, e-mail or fax on (01274) 235460.