Arecor Receives Support for Protein Stability Platform

 Arecor Ltd, a provider of formulation technology to the pharmaceutical industry, has received a Technology Strategy Board (TSB) grant in support of collaborative efforts to address challenges such as chemical degradation and heat stability in protein drugs. Working with Manchester University’s Centre of Excellence in Biopharmaceuticals, the aim is to expand Arecor’s proprietary database of protein-excipient interactions which will prevent drug degradation while expanding the company’s design formulation expertise. The outcomes will support the enabling of new drugs  making self-administered medicines easier to use and also facilitate distribution in emerging markets with limited cold chain.

Advisors on the development of this new technology that will improve healthcare provision to the third world and reduce the environmental burden of cold-chain provision include PrismTC, statistical consultants, Unilever and major pharmaceutical companies.

The formulated products market in the UK is worth around £180 bn a year. The competition is part of TSB’s commitment to invest up to £5m in feasibility projects and collaborative research and development to accelerate the development of new ways of designing, improving and manufacturing complex high-value formulated products in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents, food, agrochemicals, paints, adhesives, lubricants and formulated process chemicals. A further £1m is available for collaborative research and development from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).