Platform 3: Pre-Clinical: Formulations, nanotherapeutics and long-lasting drug delivery systems
This platform within iiCON enables companies of all sizes access to CELT’s expertise in long-acting therapeutics supporting impactful collaborations to enhance product and therapeutic efficacy and drive innovation.
This platform provides access to the expertise within The Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT) – a cross-faculty research initiative combining world-leading expertise in pharmacology and materials chemistry. CELT works with international partners to disseminate research findings in long-acting medicine and change the global landscape of drug administration. This platform within iiCON enables companies of all sizes access to CELT’s expertise in long-acting therapeutics supporting impactful collaborations to enhance product and therapeutic efficacy and drive innovation.
There is a growing requirement by regulators and developers to de-risk translation by better understanding the critical determinants of efficacy and safety. Nanotechnology offers great promise for treatment and diagnostics but is constrained by the interdisciplinary expertise required for robust characterisation needed for progression towards clinical trials.
Supported by The Nanotherapeutics Hub, located at the University of Liverpool, this platform also provides industry partners access to the Hub’s expertise and its network of UK partner organisations to support the development of innovative new antimicrobials, and vaccines, leveraging nanotechnology.
For more information or to learn how your business can engage with this platform.
Platform Lead
Professor Andrew Owen
Co-director of the Centre of Excellence for Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT)
Professor Andrew Owen
Co-director of the Centre of Excellence for Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT)
Andrew Owen is a co-director of the Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT) at the University of Liverpool. He is principal investigator for LONGEVITY, an international project funded by Unitaid that aims to translate long-acting medicines for malaria, tuberculosis, and Hepatitis C Virus.
Andrew also leads a modelling and simulation core and sits on the executive group for the NIH-funded Long-acting/Extended-release Antiretroviral resource Programme (LEAP). He is a Director and Chief Scientific Officer for Tandem Nano Ltd. and co-inventor of patents relating to drug delivery.
Since March 2020, he has been intensively engaged in evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antiviral candidates.
Professor Neill Liptrott
Chair of Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool, Coordinator of The Nanotherapeutics Hub at The University of Liverpool
Professor Neill Liptrott
Chair of Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool, Coordinator of The Nanotherapeutics Hub at The University of Liverpool
Prof. Liptrott, Chair in Pharmacology and Immunocompatibility at the University of Liverpool, has expertise in pharmacology, immunology, and molecular cell biology.
As the principal investigator of the Liverpool Immunocompatibility Group, Coordinator of the Liverpool Nanotherapeutics Hub, and Platform manager (Nanotherapeutics) for the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON), he oversees critical research initiatives. His roles extend to serving as a member of the Liverpool City Region Health & Life Sciences Board; biocompatibility leads for the Centre of Excellence for Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT) and steering board member for the Intracellular Drug Delivery Centre (IDDC).
Prof. Liptrott’s research investigates the biological interactions of complex medicines, advanced therapeutics, and biomaterials, assessing their biocompatibility, immunomodulatory potential, and risk. Notably, his work has supported the successful translation of solid drug nanoparticle formulations through GMP manufacture for HIV treatment. He supports developers in navigating the complexities of advanced therapeutics for clinical studies.
Prof. Liptrott contributes significantly to various organisations, serving as a member of the Executive Board and Core Expert Team for the European Nanomedicine Characterisation Laboratory (EUNCL) and as Academic in Residence at the National Measurement Laboratory, among other roles. He is actively involved in initiatives such as creating the British Society for Nanomedicine and serves as an elected Trustee, emphasising immunological safety. At the University of Liverpool, he spearheaded the establishment of the MSc in Pharmacology and Toxicology, where he serves as programme director.
