Download HIPODERM – An Open Innovation Project Funded by the Marie

HIPODERM – An Open Innovation Project Funded by the Marie Curie Industry Academia
Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) programme
Dr. Niall O’Reilly, Manager, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre (PMBRC),
Waterford Institute of Technology
Dr. Marc Kelly, Marie Curie Research Fellow, EirGen Pharma Ltd., Waterford
Transdermal drug delivery offers several advantages over other delivery routes but is usually limited
to a few small molecules which have very specific physico-chemical properties. This is because most
drug molecules are unable to diffuse across the skin due to the largely impenetrable nature of the
outer skin layer, the stratum corneum. The aim of the HIPODERM (High Potency Dermatologicals)
project is to tackle this, and other challenges, and broaden the number of drugs which can be
delivered transdermally. The project brings together the high potency drug handling capabilities at
EirGen Pharma (Waterford), the ability to conduct human skin diffusion studies in An-eX Analytical
Services (Cardiff) along with the drug delivery and polymer chemistry expertise of Waterford Institute
of Technology and Cardiff University. The project is funded by the Marie Curie Industry Academia
Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) programme which promotes secondments between the
consortium partners, thereby facilitating knowledge transfer. The project enables the partners to
access a wide range of facilities and expertise in chemistry, pharmacy, engineering, physics, and
manufacturing technology with the ultimate goal of jointly developing new products and intellectual
property.