Dr Cormac Taylor, UCD Conway Institute receives SFI grant for Industry-Research collaboration
Pictured from left to right: Dr Ruth McCaffrey, scientific programme
officer, biotechnology division SFI; Dr Cormac Taylor, UCD Conway
Institute, Mr Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and
Employment; Dr Maurice Treacy, Director of BioSciences &
BioEngineering at SFI; Dr Ivan S. Coulter, CEO, Sigmoid Biotechnologies.
Mr. Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has announced a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Industry Research Supplement’ grant to Dr Cormac Taylor, UCD Conway Institute. The two-year grant will facilitate research conducted in Dr. Taylor’s laboratory in association with Sigmoid Biotechnologies, to develop an enhanced drug delivery system.
Dr Taylor's group at the UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research has developed an innovative intestinal model of drug uptake. This simulation model predicts accurately how efficiently a drug is absorbed into a patient’s bloodstream. The model will enable rapid screening of multiple LEDDS formulation and generate strong lead compounds for future clinical trials. The proposed project represents a strategic supplement to Dr Taylor’s initial SFI Investigator Award.
“The proposed collaboration is synergistic, providing my lab with a powerful research tool and Sigmoid Biotechnologies with method to screen its propriety formulations. Going forward, the outcome of the proposed research is of further strategic importance as it can benefit from the proposed National Bioprocessing Plant at Belfield,” said Dr Taylor.
Dublin-based Sigmoid Biotechnologies is developing a novel drug delivery technology, LEDDS, which will improve the effectiveness, safety and convenience of existing drugs and enhance next-generation drug development.
Dr Ivan S. Coulter, CEO, Sigmoid Biotechnologies, and a graduate of UCD Pharmacology said: “The clear synergies between the novel intestinal membrane model developed by Dr Taylor’s group and Sigmoid has the potential to rapidly expedite and expand LEDDS capabilities. The Industry Research Supplement Grant represents the future model for Industry-Academia collaborations and will support not only existing indigenous biotech industry, but also spawn the creation of future Irish university spin-outs.”
Dr. Maurice Treacy, Director of BioSciences & BioEngineering at SFI added “this collaboration is an exciting and innovative research project which will greatly enhance and add value to Dr Taylor’s existing SFI funded research. The very strong synergy between Dr Taylor’s research and Sigmoid Biotechnologies and a significant commitment from Sigmoid are the strengths of this partnership”.
Minister Martin commented: “The Dr Taylor and Sigmoid Biotechnologies collaboration has the potential to generate innovative and powerful drug delivery concepts, leading to improved patient care. It is a critical to the development of the knowledge based economy that industry and academic researchers collaborate.”
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