In challenging economic times, it is often too easy to neglect the funding of basic research. However, it is essential that such fundamental research continues to be supported to provide the creative spark that can lead to great discoveries. Over the last 10 years, our innovative research has made an impact far beyond the institute – rather like a ripple on the surface of water. Much of this success has been due to the many academic-industry collaborations that we participate in and that offer mutual benefits. As industry gradually embraces an open innovation culture, it is looking for innovative ideas. This places UCD Conway in a strong position for the knowledge developed by Conway researchers to be translated in to new therapies, diagnostics and medical devices for the benefit of patients.
Tackling inflammatory bowel disease
Partnership: Sigmoid Pharma, Prof Cormac Taylor
Irish biopharmaceutical development company, Sigmoid Pharma has actively collaborated with Prof Cormac Taylor since being granted a Science Foundation Ireland industry research partnership award in 2004.
The partnership is facilitating the development of a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by bringing together the research methodology of the Taylor group with the proprietary liquid/emulsion drug delivery system, LEDDS®, developed by Sigmoid Pharma.
This technology enhances the solubility and permeability of the drug and targets delivery to specific locations in the gastrointestinal tract, including the colon. The partnership has delivered demonstrable investment in human resources, 3 co-authored publications to date in two of the highest ranking scientific journals in the field as well as the generation of proprietary innovative products and the creation of high-skilled jobs.
“The collaboration with the Taylor laboratory clearly demonstrates the potential that can be realised through focused application of basic research.”
Dr Ivan Coulter, CEO Sigmoid Pharma
SFI Irish Drug Delivery Network Cluster (IDDN)
Partnership: Network of academic and industry partners
The Irish Drug Delivery Network (2008-2013) led by Prof David Brayden brought together a consortium of Irish Schools of Pharmacy and biotechnology companies to work on novel formulations to enable peptide and siRNA drug delivery. Aerogen, Sigmoid Pharma, Arch Therapeutics and Genzyme were among the industrial partners in the network and advanced their technologies through preclinical research collaboration.
The success of the IDDN was evident in significant academic and innovation outcomes as well as the education and training of 21 graduate and postdoctoral researchers for careers in the pharmaceutical industry and academia. It enabled further industry collaborations and secured EU FP7 funding.
UCD Diabetes Complications Research Centre
This research has led to several collaborations with the biopharmaceutical industry including a funded collaboration with investigators at Hoffman LaRoche, Basel that focuses on novel proteins engineered to suppress fibrosis, a key driver of kidney failure in diabetes. Work on biomarkers of diabetic kidney disease progression involves a HRB-funded collaboration with clinical colleagues and scientists at the research division of EKF diagnostics in Dublin.
Berand - independent, preclinical drug research company offering a full spectrum of in vivo neuropharmacology and preclinical neurobiology services, resources and expertise targeted at meeting the needs of global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
APC, the Applied Process Company - world’s leading pharmaceutical process engineering R&D company delivering specialist process solutions and proprietary processing technologies for small and large molecules to the international pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
Investing in your future:
