Quay Pharma (Deeside, UK) and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU – Liverpool, UK) are delighted to announce that their Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funding application has been granted by Innovate UK and will be funded entirely by the Welsh Government. This KTP will develop novel, industry-relevant methods of manufacturing enabled nanoparticle formulations of poorly soluble drugs to improve and enhance delivery of the drug to the gastro-intestinal tract.

A dedicated project manager (KTP Associate) will be based at Quay Pharma but will also spend time at LJMU to gain essential knowledge and additional skills. Dr. Alison Foster, Head of Technical – Preclinical at Quay, who will be the Company Supervisor for the project, commented: “We are delighted to have received this funding and are excited to begin the project which will enable us to develop a new platform technology and enhance the formulation options we offer our clients”.

Dr. Matt Roberts (Reader in Pharmaceutics, LJMU) and Dr. Raida Al-Kassas (Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics, LJMU) will jointly supervise the project from an academic perspective, overseeing the transfer of knowledge and ensuring the developed expertise is successfully embedded at Quay Pharma. Professor Satya Sarker, Director of The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at LJMU said: “The School has more than 160 years of experience of research and innovation in the field of pharmaceutical formulations and delivery and is known for delivering pharmacy education since 1849. We are delighted to be working alongside Quay Pharma to advance knowledge of product development and help fulfil our mission of working in partnership with industry and government to support innovation and growth in our economy”.

KTN’s Knowledge Transfer Adviser Mick Card added: “This is an ambitious and challenging project that really shows the impact partnering with forward thinking academic groups can have on accelerating R&D programmes to market”.

Finally, Quay Pharma and LJMU are extremely honoured that this project has been selected for full funding from the Welsh Government. Commenting on the funding Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “We are proud to be supporting Welsh businesses in meeting the innovation challenges of the future. By supporting businesses to create new products, processes and services through initiatives such as our Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme, we are ensuring that our businesses can generate new technologies vital for our future development”.