| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R03990/01 |
| Title: |
Supercritical Fluid Mixing: Clean Preparation of Microspheres For Controlled Release of Pharmaceuticals |
| Principal Investigator: |
Howdle, Professor S |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Nottingham |
| Scheme: |
JREI |
| Starts: |
07 April 2001 |
Ends: |
06 April 2002 |
Value (£): |
23,600
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Biological & Medicinal Chem. |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This JREI bid seeks to provide unique equipment for preparation of polymer / drug microspheres by a novel supercritical fluid processing technique. Microspheres of polymer loaded with an active drug component are an important class of controlled release devices for pharmaceuticals. A major difficulty in fabricating such composites is to achieve the correct loading and morphology, whilst maintaining drug activity. Experiments at Nottingham demonstrate that use of supercritical carbon dioxide eliminates successfully the high temperatures and/or toxic organic solvents that are normally required to achieve formation of such microspheres. However, current equipment at Nottingham cannot produce microspheres. Using a much larger scale commercial apparatus built for the powder coatings (paints) industry in the USA, we have demonstrated the production of microspheres for a model system. However, this exciting pilot plant equipment requires kilograms of drug and polymer material, and is far too large to ever be viable for research based pharmaceutical applications. Now in collaboration with NWA, we have devised a new approach capable of successfully processing on the 1g scale. We seek funding from JREI to support purchase of the basic components required to install this unique laboratory scale supercritical fluid processing system at Nottingham. Our proposal is supported by 68% funding; from NWA in the from of a collaborative discount. NWA have already collaborated extensively and successfully with the Principal Applicant to develop a range of high-pressure equipment and vessels over the last eight years. We will work closely with Dr Pickel of NWA to achieve our aim.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk |