Turning Laboratories into Factories (Q4301883)
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Project Q4301883 in France, United Kingdom
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Turning Laboratories into Factories |
Project Q4301883 in France, United Kingdom |
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3,959,513.75 Euro
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5,738,425.72 Euro
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69.0 percent
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29 November 2016
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15 December 2021
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University of Southampton
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49°12'44.71"N, 0°22'9.30"W
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50°58'2.86"N, 0°14'49.49"E
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50°52'4.94"N, 0°7'20.82"W
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49°12'5.29"N, 0°23'36.92"W
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50°56'2.72"N, 1°23'44.52"W
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49°27'38.70"N, 1°4'13.73"E
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49°11'16.48"N, 0°21'47.20"W
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The chemical sector has a turnover of €82.4 billion p.a. in France and £60 billion in the UK where it sustains ~500,000 jobs. In recent years large chemical companies have haemorrhaged jobs from the FCE region (e.g. 8000 from Pfizer in Kent & Cambs; 3000 at GSK in Kent; ~1000 at Novartis in Sussex) to lower-tax and lower-wage economies in Asia. LabFact seeks to reverse that trend by enhancing the attractiveness of our region for chemistry oriented SMEs and biotechs (currently >200, B. Lavoie, RIS) by helping them to capitalise on the skills available within its research-led institutions. LabFact aims to achieve economic impact using a twin-pronged approach. Firstly, we will apply our distinctive expertise to develop fine chemical products for exploitation by FCE based industry. Secondly, we will provide cross -channel technical support and training to SMEs in the emerging technologies of reagentless and flow chemistry through continuous professional development courses, summer schools, consultation services and ‘try before you buy’ opportunities. Guided by a demand-oriented industry advisory board we will produce 1000 chemical scaffolds targeted to the needs of regional industry. Scaffolds are molecules that can be easily modified to interact with biological targets making them relevant to pharmaceutical, agrochemical and biotech industries by providing a rapid means to develop next generation medicines and agrochemicals. As noted by Dr. Trevor Laird, founder of Scientific Update Ltd in Sussex “…industry relies on scaffolds in its discovery process. The availability of 1000 novel scaffolds…will speed the discovery process in industry.” Our vision is to produce these scaffolds with little to no waste using flow and reagentless technologies in combination (e.g. heat, light, pressure, electricity & microwaves). Making them without a chemical reagent, i.e. A --> B, adds a significant competitive advantage by reducing costs (reagents cost money), enhancing sustainability (no risk to supply) and reducing waste streams (A + Reagent --> B + Spent Reagent for disposal). The benefits of using flow are linked to space and energy savings with the US Food & Drug Administration estimating that their adoption in drug manufacture would lead to substantial efficiency savings in 30% of current processes. This is especially important to the FCE region as it hosts many of the key instrument suppliers [e.g. Vapourtec in Suffolk, Uniqsis & CRD in Cambs]. Thus, we are ideally placed to forge business-research partnerships that trigger investment in the region. LabFact will help SMEs to innovate production, add products to their portfolio and meet sustainability needs in accord with FCE Common Challenges. (English)
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