Several UK-based contract research organisations (CROs) will head to Denmark next week to present how collaborative outsourcing can help drug development companies overcome R&D scientific challenges.
Supported by the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) the conference, entitled 'The Changing Face of Pharmaceutical Discovery and Development — A Collaborative CRO Approach', will give life science research companies from across the Nordic region the opportunity to converse with CROs and understand the value of a joint supply chain.
Guest speakers include Dr Daniel Greve from Leo Pharma and Dr Richard Weaver from XenoGesis along with CRO snapshots from companies in attendance, covering drug discovery activities and product development. These include Molecular Profiles, Charnwood Molecular, Aurelia BioScience, Reach Separations and Biopta.
The presentations, which will be hosted at the residence of the British Ambassador in Copenhagen on the 25 March 2015, will have a specific focus on drug discovery and development in Scandinavia.
Commenting on the discussion, Dr Richard Weaver, managing director at XenoGesis said: “Attracting new business is essential to our success. By having this collaborative approach and offering a comprehensive range of drug discovery activities, we are confident in providing an attractive proposition to Nordic countries seeking support with their research projects.
“Clients recognise the value of specialist expertise and appreciate the quality and turnaround speed that dedicated organisations can provide.”
Aimed at R&D scientists, project leaders and resource managers, the meeting will also reflect on current trends in outsourcing worldwide The UK companies attending complement each other in their drug discovery activities and product development.
Aurelia BioScience covers compound screening to identify hit and lead molecules, while organic synthesis is covered by Charnwood Molecular. XenoGesis meanwhile is a specialist in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) testing. Reach Separations provides the analytical and chromatographic expertise, particularly for chiral compounds.
Molecular Profiles provides pharmaceutical development services and clinical trial manufacturing for small molecules and can work from early phase development to late stage clinical manufacture. Biopta addresses the issue of translational relevance, proving data from tailored fresh human tissue assay systems; interfacing with the other groups by testing novel molecules for efficacy, absorption or safety in healthy and diseased tissue.
Peter Ridgway, director at Reach Separations, added: “We have a strong understanding of each others capabilities and how we can work together effectively to become more competitive.
“As companies become more confident with outsourcing, the way they approach it is evolving. The need for a collaborative approach of bringing services together in this way is only going to grow.”
UKTI international trade adviser, Louise Stock, who has provided advice and support in arranging the market visit, added: “UKTI East Midlands is delighted to support the Nottingham based companies. The companies have been able to access funding from UKTI and we have further assisted them in identifying other sources of funding to support the market visit.”
