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A collaboration to enhance the optical
imaging and processes used in drug
manufacturing has been established
between Duquesne University’s Mylan
School of Pharmacy and VTT Technical
Research Centre of Finland.
VTT, one of the world’s largest instrumentation
developers, has been working
with the Pharmacy School for several
years. That collaboration has stepped
up to the next level and become more
formalized, with one of VTT’s senior
research scientists working and living in
the Pittsburgh area for six months.
“We are actively looking at opportunities
to develop research programs
together and seek funding from different
sources to investigate projects together,”
said Dr. James Drennen, associate dean
for graduate programs and research in
the pharmacy school.
Through the partnership, Duquesne
gains access to the instrumentation and
electrical engineering skills that VTT
is known for worldwide, as well as its
contacts in the European pharmacy
manufacturing markets, Drennen said.
In return, VTT, which designs instruments
for a variety of industries, from
forestry to steel, will benefit from tapping
Duquesne expertise in
drug manufacturing
and processes, as well
as DU’s significant
contacts within the
U.S. pharmaceutical
industry.
“It provides a
chance for multi-disciplinary
approaches
to processes and
technologies, and we
are able to combine
both competencies in
optical measurement
technology and pharmacy
manufacturing,”
said Janne Suhonen,
technology manager of VTT’s optical
instruments division, when he visited
Duquesne in mid-September. “Our goal
is to offer new solutions to pharmacy
companies to improve the process, quality
and cost-efficiency.”
Juoko Malinen, the senior research
scientist who will be staying in the Mars
area, believes that being on-site provides
hands-on benefits. “The fact that I am
here helps us as instrumentation specialists
to learn more about pharmaceutical
applications,” Malinen said. “There is not
a lack of devices in today’s world, but it’s a
matter of optimizing what is available.”
Pulling information and ideas from
the different disciplines may promote
positive results for all involved, said
Drennen, who is working on the project
along with Carl A. Anderson, associate
professor of pharmaceutical sciences and
cooperative research coordinator.
“Together,” Drennen said. “I think
there’s opportunity for this team to seek
good access to European markets for
research efforts.”
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