SubscribeHome to global giants like BP Chemicals and Novartis, and generating more than £4 billion every year - the Yorkshire and Humber region has a long standing relationship with the chemicals industry.
And whilst the chemicals industry within the region continues to flourish, so do the opportunities for industries such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to take advantage of the facilities and expertise on offer.
Whilst companies looking to locate to the region can take advantage of the excellent transportation networks, multitude of development sites and highly skilled workforce, the research expertise on offer within the region’s universities can benefit companies whatever their location.
A centre of research expertise
The Yorkshire and Humber region is home to eight research active universities, all of which host world leading authorities in science and technology, and all of which offer companies excellent opportunities for research collaboration and investment. Whilst many such partnerships are already benefiting companies across the globe, the region offers companies a unique route to access its research expertise.
Supported by Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward, 14 commercially run Centres of Industrial Collaboration (CICs) have been established within the region to facilitate partnerships between universities and industry. The research departments involved in the centres are internationally known for their expertise in the development and application of cutting-edge science and the delivery of commercial projects with industry.
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For companies within the chemicals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, the network of CICs offers a multitude of opportunities for collaboration across the entire drug discovery,development and delivery process.
A centre of opportunity
The Pharmaceutical Innovation CIC, based within the renowned Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation at the University of Bradford, combines worldclass expertise in formulation science and computational pharmaceutics, including artificial intelligence and 3D modeling technology – offering revolutionary approaches to drug development and increasing the rate at which new medicines reach the market. And with an impressive record of industrially-relevant research in particle and colloid technology, the Particle Science and Engineering CIC, based at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of characterisation equipment in the UK.
With a long research record in granulation, crystallisation, mixing, data mining and in-process measurement technologies, this CIC is also a leading international centre for Process Analytical Technology (PAT), and together with the Pharmaceutical Innovation CIC, the centres are helping to drive the development of this technology. Advances in PAT are transforming pharmaceutical product quality and the cost-effectiveness of manufacturing. Experts within the CICs are working with leading equipment suppliers and major pharmaceutical companies to develop novel in-line analytical tools and state-ofthe- art knowledge engineering software, to interpret manufacturing data and optimise processes.
Research into innovative methods of drug delivery utilising intelligent biopolymers and nano-encapsulation technology is also being conducted at the University of Bradford through the Polymer CIC. And the Materials Analysis and Research Services CIC, in Sheffield, has worked with The Medical House to help develop the first needle-free injection system to be prescribed by the NHS. The Greenchemistry CIC at the University of York is helping companies to comply with legislative developments such as REACH, through the manufacture of products that reduce or replace the production of hazardous materials whilst still being commercially viable.
So whilst the Yorkshire and Humber region continues to offer companies an ideal geographical site at the heart of a thriving supply chain, the region’s research expertise on offer can benefit industries, whatever their situation.