East Midlands Knowledge Network: Routes To University Expertise

 

Nemaura Pharma Ltd

Innovative Manufacturing And Construction

Description and aims

Nemaura Pharma develops proprietary drug delivery systems with the aim of improving the efficacy of new and existing drugs. Drug delivery is the mechanism by which a drug is delivered to the site of action, to impart therapeutic benefit.

The aim of the project is to design and prototype a new device that enables:

  • Trans-dermal drug delivery of new and existing drugs
  • More accurate dosing of the drug to be delivered
  • Automatic delivery over a pre-defined period of time

About Nemaura Pharma Ltd

Nemaura Pharma is a spin-out company based in the Loughborough Innovation Centre. It specialises in the development of advanced drug delivery mechanisms which includes novel drug formulations, devices for controlled drug delivery and innovative methods for improving drug absorption rate.

How the project is being undertaken

The company heard about the expertise, facilities and resources available within PMC/CECA at the Medilink Innovation Day 2007. Nemaura Pharma required a fast turnaround and a commercial approach to the development of their latest drug delivery device. Since CECA has a unique setup that enables it to meet Nemaura Pharma’s requirements, a commercial R&D project was quickly setup up to take things forward.

The work undertaken includes:
Requirements capture and specification – To define the technical requirements of the drug delivery device and the constraints of current technology in delivering the required solution.
Mechanical Design and Optimisation – Design of the physical device including the drug storage chambers and micro-actuation mechanisms
Electronic Circuitry Design – Design of the electronics and software to control the actuation mechanisms
Manufacture of prototypes – Includes working prototypes and mock-ups for promotional use
Design for Manufacture – The design of the device was optimised for cost-effective manufacturing
Final manufacturing process specification – Manufacturing process specification for full scale production of the device

Impacts and benefits

Nemaura Pharma’s involvement with the PMC and CECA through this project has enabled them to respond more quickly to market opportunities by enabling them to take an idea from concept to the first prototype at a much shorter timescale.

  • Follow-on projects are now being negotiated in:
  • Supporting Nemaura Pharma in the set up of the required manufacturing systems for the mass-production of the new drug delivery device
  • Further design and development work to customise the device for drugs with specific requirements
  • Possible development of other variants of the device in the future e.g. reusable or fully disposable variants.

It has also resulted in the Director of product development of Nemaura Pharma becoming strongly involved in high profile events held by CECA enabling the company to strengthen their connections/networks.

For more information about the project

If you would like to hear more about this project, please contact Dr Kevin Phuah, Technology Transfer Specialist, Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA), School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham
Email Kevin.phuah@nottingham.ac.uk
Telephone 0115 846 8839

Duration

Six months

University

The University of Nottingham

Academic Lead

Dr Kevin Phuah and Prof Svetan Ratchev

School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering

Contact

Dr Kevin Phuah

0115 846 8839