Bio-Images Group
In 2000 Bio-Images Research was established to provide a clinical imaging research service to the pharmaceutical industry. Operating from custom designed facilities in the medical block of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, a stone's throw from its academic roots at the University of Strathclyde, the company quickly established itself as the number two globally in this field, attracting repeat business from some of the biggest pharma companies in the world.
Just over 10 years on, Bio-Images Research has expanded to become the Bio-Images Group and the company continues to grow. The Bio-Images Group also incorporates a contract formulation development company, Drug Delivery International (DDi). DDi was set up in 2011 by Professor Howard Stevens (Chairman), Professor Alex Mullen (Chief Scientific Officer) and Dr Carol Thomson (Chief Operating Officer) to provide high level expertise in drug delivery systems to pharmaceutical companies who want to in licence formulations or outsource formulation development services.
The close working relationship between the two companies - who are both based in the Bio-Imaging Centre, Bio-Images Research's original site in the Royal - provides a valuable integrated approach to pharmaceutical development.
Dr Lee Ann Hodges, Chief Operating Officer of Bio-Images Research, said: "Bio-Images Research exists to help clients understand how their drug delivery systems behave in man, to allow design of better dosage forms for more effective drug delivery. Where scintigraphy has revealed that the formulation does not behave as expected, having a formulation development division within the group adds significant value to the service we provide to our clients. DDi's close working relationship with Bio-Images Research means that they can solve clients' formulation issues in a responsive and timely manner. It's a much more convergent strategy to have the two companies working together."
In addition to an expert formulation rescue service, DDi have an impressive IP portfolio, based on their novel time-delayed tablet systems. The technology is available for out licensing and has been clinically demonstrated in a scintigraphic clinical study conducted by Bio-Images Research, exemplifying the synergistic relationship between the two companies. The time-delayed formulation is based on the effects of circadian rhythms on the body, which means that symptoms of many conditions are often more prevalent at certain stages of the 24 hour day.
Dr Fiona McInnes, a registered pharmacist and Development Director at DDi, explains: "The effects of circadian rhythms on the body is quite fascinating, yet is something which has yet to be fully incorporated into dosage form design. Many controlled release drug delivery systems are extended release, ie designed to release the drug over a long period of time. This is certainly advantageous for many conditions, but in other cases the patient may be receiving drug when they don't need it.
"DDi are developing some quite sophisticated yet easily manufactured dosage forms that remain dormant for some time after administration, delivering the drug only when the patient needs it. We have already shown that for a sleep drug, our formulation prevents drug release until 2-3 hours after administration. If taken before bed, this would prevent reawakening for those who suffer from sleep maintenance insomnia. We have also demonstrated a pain relief system which delivers two pulses of drug, one immediately post-dose, and one when the patient is likely to be waking up the next morning, potentially allowing those who suffer from pain and stiffness to get to sleep and wake up pain free as well.
"The exciting thing is that this formulation is applicable to almost any drug type, and as the effects of circadian rhythms become more widely addressed by the pharmaceutical industry, such time-delayed solutions will become of major importance."
Underpinning the extraordinary expansion of the Bio-Images Group, which has seen staff numbers increase from 8 to 19 over the last year, has been a clear vision and an exceptional team of scientific staff to drive this. A clinical team of seven and a formulation team of six are headed up by some of the most highly regarded scientists in the pharmaceutical community. The next phase in the expansion is a planned move to Singapore to set up a second clinical research facility to serve the rapidly expanding market of the Asia-Pacific region.
Professor Howard Stevens commented: "We are lucky to have some incredibly talented scientific and business minds in the group and our rapid growth is a real testament to the team and the excellent service they provide to our customers."
