Impact of our Research
Reacting to the global challenges of today through:
Our department is a thriving, highly collaborative research hub that always aims to make a difference. We're proud to be outward-facing and built on engagement with industry. Our community is one of the strongest in the country, and benefits from national and international partnerships. From polymers to catalysts, instrumentation to cutting-edge materials, we stand at the forefront of research today.
Read on to hear how Chemistry at Warwick is formulating change around the globe.
Freezing Cells Better
Cryopreservation is essential to allow modern medicines (biologics) to be discovered, and delivered intact to patients.
Cryologyx has been spun-out to deploy Warwick-developed macromolecular (polymeric) cryoprotectants in cell-based products for a range of biomedical sectors.
Drug delivery via the skin
Medherant, a spin-out from Warwick research has developed a new polymer platform for drug delivery via transdermal patches. Having already taken an ibuprofen TEPI® Patch through Phase 1 clinical trials, Medherant is now completing clinical trials on anti-smoking medication. They are working with partners on drug delivery for the under-served rare disease patient community, Alzheimer’s and cannabinoid products including CBD and THC.
Visualising the Invisible
How are electrochemical scanning and toothpaste connected? The development of an electrochemical scanning platform at Warwick and collaborations with Unilever have led to applications of the platform in testing a range of new toothpaste formulations to reduce acid erosion of tooth enamel. The toothpaste, marketed as ‘Regenerate’ has been sold globally, leading to commercial and health benefits
Drug pipeline expedited
Drug molecules, and routes to them, that show great potential as a treatment for a range of diseases such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, sepsis, and glioblastoma have been developed at Warwick in collaboration with SME RxCelerate for ZFactor Ltd, Critical Pressure Ltd and other companies.
Forming unlikely bonds
Polarfin™ additives developed by Warwick spin-out Interface Polymers modify the surface properties of the most commonly used plastics, enabling adhesion to otherwise incompatible materials. Applications for Polarfin™ products include the packaging, automotive and recycling sectors.
Lignin-based bioplastic
Lignin is a naturally occurring polymer found in plant cell walls, that is also a by-product of pulp and paper manufacture. Warwick researchers are collaborating with Biome Bioplastics to produce a biodegradable plastic from lignin, with a range of opportunities for application in the packaging, catering and cosmetics sectors.