Biopharma Technology Secure Award From Technology Strategy Board Regenerative Medicine Investment
Biopharma Technology Limited (BTL) today announced that they have begun work on a feasibility study to freeze dry red blood cells. Under the six month study, BTL will work with Professor Nigel Slater of the Department of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge to test novel materials which may protect fragile red blood cells during the freeze drying.
The novel material that will be tested has been designed to make cell membranes permeable to natural sugars. It is hoped that by raising the amount of sugar in the cell that it will protect the cells during freezing and enable the blood to survive the drying process intact. The work will develop research undertaken by Andrew Lynch within the University of Cambridge.
Blood transfusions are common clinical treatments, but our supplies of blood are reliant on sufficient donors being available. Red blood cells, which are the most common cell in blood are very fragile, and tend to burst during freezing rendering the material useless. As a result blood is refrigerated and if it not used within its safe shelf life, then it is discarded. If a safe method of preserving blood is found that it will be possible to maximise the use of life saving donor material.
BTL has an excellent track record of developing new freeze drying protocols and optimising processes for their clients located around the world. The company has freeze dried over 600 different materials ranging from drugs, bacteria, liposomes, diagnostic reagents, foods and perhaps their largest challenge - fragments of Henry VIII's five hundred year old flag ship the Mary Rose. BTL's world leading expertise makes them an ideal organisation to develop a feasible approach for freeze drying blood.
The Technology Strategy Board made the award under their therapeutic feasibility study program that aims to establish projects and future collaborations that will participate in larger initiatives to be funded under the regenerative medicine priority area in 2010. The award has enabled BTL to fund an internal R&D program and collaborate with the University of Cambridge which will expand should the initial project be successful.
"We have great knowledge in BTL, and the Technology Strategy Board award has enabled the company to work with leading scientists in Cambridge and evaluate the potential of an innovative material" commented Kevin Ward Ph.D., BTL's Director of R&D. "If we are successful with red blood cells which are really fragile, then it opens up the possibility of creating a platform for freeze drying therapeutic cells enabling a wider range of products and applications", he added.
"We are delighted to work with BTL on this important project since the combination of their lyophilisation expertise with our biostabilisation technology presents an ideal opportunity to develop additional formulation and storage protocols and has the potential to deliver near term clinical benefits in the management and therapeutic use of valuable donor materials.
About Biopharma Technology Limited
Biopharma Technology Ltd was set up in 1997 to provide an international service in all aspects of freeze-drying technology. Our strength comes from a wealth of experience and knowledge of product formulation and process development, particularly in the field of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Together with our knowledge of pilot-scale and industrial freeze-dryers we offer a uniquely comprehensive service covering all aspects of freeze-drying from pre-formulation through to full-scale production and dried product analysis.
Since its foundation, BTL has developed novel analytical instruments for the characterisation of materials for freeze-drying. These instruments are the LYOSTAT 2 freeze-drying microscope and the integrated DTA and impedance analyser LYOTHERM 2.
About The Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its role is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life. It is sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). For more information visit www.innovateuk.org.
SOURCE: Biopharma Technology Limited