Drugs from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand are sent to the Cancer Research UK Formulation Unit at Strathclyde. The Unit manufactures and prepares experimental anti-cancer drugs for clinical trials in the UK.
The one-of-a-kind Unit is based in the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences.
Since opening in 1983 it has handled more than 100 compounds and manufactured more than 1 million units of anti-cancer drugs. Several of the compounds have been passed to pharmaceutical companies for further development and some are now used worldwide to treat cancer.
Facilities
The Unit was established at the University of Strathclyde due its well-established pharmaceutical expertise, existing essential facilities and links with cancer researchers in the Beatson Institute.
Unlike many universities the Unit has specialised clean rooms – rooms that are supplied with filtered air to remove any possibility of contamination. Staff wear protective clothing when preparing products and the atmosphere inside the rooms and storage areas is continuously monitored. Strict procedures and policies are fastidiously followed to comply with regulations.
How they're used
The Cancer Research UK Formulation Unit has dedicated analytical laboratories to:
- test;
- manufacture;
- research; and
- prepare experimental anti-cancer drugs.
