GSK stuck on 42T knowhow
30 Oct 2008
Product design and development consultancy 42 Technology and global pharma company GlaxoSmithKline have announced novel technology for precision powder dispensing that has the potential to accelerate drug development programmes, as well as to create a number of major commercial opportunities in non-pharmaceutical markets.
The technology - called 'sticky web' - is capable of dispensing tiny amounts of powder, typically from 0.1 to 100mg, at high volume manufacturing speeds. It is based on 42T's discovery that the quantity of powder adhering to a piece of sticky tape is directly proportional to the surface area of the tape.
The consultancy has subsequently developed the core technology, several adhesives and designs for a high-speed powder dispense drum and production machine capable of delivering up to 60,000 doses per hour.
Sticky web takes its name from the adhesive printed onto an edible or inert web, allowing it to be subsequently coated with powder before being cut, folded, rolled or further processed. Global pharmaceutical rights for the dispensing technology are being retained by GSK, with 42T gaining the rights for all other markets.
"Sticky web is a simple but very powerful technology platform that we plan to co-develop with a number of commercial partners over the next few months," explained Howard Biddle, managing director of 42T, which was founded in 1998 and is based in St Ives, near Cambridge.
The technology - called 'sticky web' - is capable of dispensing tiny amounts of powder, typically from 0.1 to 100mg, at high volume manufacturing speeds. It is based on 42T's discovery that the quantity of powder adhering to a piece of sticky tape is directly proportional to the surface area of the tape.
The consultancy has subsequently developed the core technology, several adhesives and designs for a high-speed powder dispense drum and production machine capable of delivering up to 60,000 doses per hour.
Sticky web takes its name from the adhesive printed onto an edible or inert web, allowing it to be subsequently coated with powder before being cut, folded, rolled or further processed. Global pharmaceutical rights for the dispensing technology are being retained by GSK, with 42T gaining the rights for all other markets.
"Sticky web is a simple but very powerful technology platform that we plan to co-develop with a number of commercial partners over the next few months," explained Howard Biddle, managing director of 42T, which was founded in 1998 and is based in St Ives, near Cambridge.
