£190,500 for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Pharmacy & Pharmacology and Prosonix Limited
A research grant of over £190,500 has been awarded to the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology to develop methodology and identify new processing technology for the manufacture of pharmaceutical co-crystals and binary API crystals suitable for use in inhaled and oral medicines. The company plans to contribute additional funding of around £150,000 in small pilot plant equipment, analytical support equipment and raw materials.
The primary aim of this Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project is to explore current laboratory scale techniques and eventually design and develop robust industrial process methodology using proprietary equipment. This will eventually lead to full–scale manufacture.
The award will fund a competitive salary for a KTP graduate to be employed for three years at the Prosonix Oxford offices. The graduate will be supervised by Professor Robert Price in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology and Dr Graham Ruecroft of Prosonix. Professor Price leads the pharmaceutical surface science research group, focusing on the application of advanced surface analytical technologies, exploring physical and chemical factors which govern particulate interactions in pharmaceutical dosage forms.
“This KTP follows 4 years of collaboration with Prosonix Limited and includes an exclusive agreement for the development of commercialisation of the University’s novel particle engineering technology. This further collaboration will contribute significantly to the Group’s research reputation both nationally and internationally” stated Professor Price.
The grant is jointly funded by Prosonix Limited and the Technology Strategy Board under the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Scheme.
Prosonix Ltd is the world leader in the commercialisation of proprietary pharmaceutical ultrasonic particle engineering technologies and added value ultrasonic process chemistry solutions. Its core focus is in the development of proprietary and patented ultrasonic process technology for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, where technology is employed for the “Complete Crystallization Control” of customers products, processes and unit operations. An important expertise is the development of new ‘molecule to particle’ methods for manufacture of inhaled medicines.
This is the first KTP for Prosonix and the University of Bath and will be a continuation of valuable work undertaken with the company over several years, further deepening the collaborative relationship with the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
“We are delighted to have helped secure this KTP funding for both the University and Prosonix. The relationship between the University of Bath’s Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology; well-respected for its excellent research in pharmaceutical sciences, and the world-beating industrial pharmaceutical crystallization and particle engineering technologies of Prosonix is considerably strengthened by this funding” said Dr Graham Ruecroft co-founder and Chief Technology Officer for Prosonix.
This partnership receives financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme (KTP). KTP aims to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. This KTP was funded by the Technology Strategy Board. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is one of the largest graduate recruitment programme in Europe. KTP uses the knowledge and skills of high calibre graduates and their academic supervisors to inject fresh ideas into UK businesses. To find out more visit the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Office at Bath or call 01225 383844.