Discovery Park startup joins £8.2 million medicines manufacturing research project

Particology, a specialist particle science company based at science and business hub Discovery Park, has been selected for an £8.2 million Government-funded research consortium to make the manufacture of medicines more efficient and sustainable. 

The three-and-a-half year research project is part of Innovate UK’s £54M Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme and is one of eight “Grand Challenge” projects to develop and demonstrate novel technologies for greener, more efficient medicines manufacturing. 

The consortium’s investment has already allowed Particology to hire a new Spectroscopy Research Associate, based on-site in Sandwich, to begin work in January. 

Particology is focusing on the crystallisation of active pharmaceutical ingredients as the project's industry lead in that area, using particle science and precision sensing to study crystals in greater detail than ever seen before. Crystallisation is an important step in the development of many drugs, purifying the active ingredients before they are packaged as a tablet or capsule. Particology’s research will advance real-time confirmation of crystallisation quality, meaning medicines can be made with fewer materials and waste products, and lower power requirements. The Particology team will carry out initial testing and development work on paracetamol and other common medicines, with the end goal of creating new technology for medicine manufacturers all over the world, driving economic growth and keeping the UK at the forefront of innovation. 

Dr John Murphy, Chief Operating Officer at Particology, said:

This innovative programme will transform the future of medicines manufacture, making production more efficient and sustainable. The investment from Innovate UK has already allowed us to expand our team and work with local partners, providing a much-needed boost to the scientific ecosystem right here in Kent.

Mark Talford, Deputy Director for Medicines Manufacturing at Innovate UK, said: 

With funding from the VPAG Investment Programme, Innovate UK’s Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme is driving greener, more efficient approaches to medicines production. Seeing Particology lead this work at Discovery Park in Kent demonstrates how regional innovation can deliver national impact. This collaboration will not only advance cutting-edge crystallisation technologies but also create high-value jobs and expertise, reinforcing Kent’s long-standing role in the UK’s life sciences sector and helping keep the UK at the forefront of global pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Chris Broom, Head of Business Development at Discovery Park, added:

This latest Innovate UK grant is testament to the incredible expertise of the Particology team. Bringing this project to Kent demonstrates what's possible when you combine world-class scientific talent with supportive infrastructure. Discovery Park is proud to be home to game-changing research on sustainable medicines manufacture.

The project will run until 2029, with results expected to position the UK as a global leader in sustainable medicines manufacturing while creating high-value jobs and expertise in Kent.