Pharma Startup Awarded $1.5M for Manufacturing Tech
Purdue-affiliated startup Continuity Pharma received a $1.5M grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. (photo courtesy: Purdue Research Foundation)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe research and development wing of the U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a Purdue University-affiliated company a $1.5 million grant for its work on continuous manufacturing technology in the pharmaceutical sector.
West Lafayette-based Continuity Pharma received the grant from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, which is responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military.
The company’s manufacturing system is specifically geared towards small batches of essential medicines that may be in short supply.
Continuity Pharma says the COVID-19 pandemic created supply gaps in critical drug products, especially those needed for the most critical patients in intensive care units.
“We are one step closer to ensuring the availability of essential medicines to patients in need. It is an exciting time for Continuity Pharma,” said David Thompson, a co-founder of Continuity Pharma and a Purdue professor of organic chemistry.
The company designed a modular and portable system for synthesizing medicines which can be quickly changed over to produce other medicines.
Purdue says the DARPA grant includes development funding over the next 24 months. It could also qualify for additional funding for commercialization in the subsequent 12 months.
Continuity Pharma leaders are working with Purdue Research Foundation officials to secure additional lab space in Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette.