BDD Pharma, a Glasgow-based pharmaceutical company, has developed a revolutionary drug delivery system that could transform treatment management for patients with conditions requiring precisely timed medication. The OralogiK system represents a significant advancement in timed-release tablet technology, designed to release medication in the body at optimal therapeutic windows.
Addressing Unmet Medical Needs
The OralogiK system specifically targets the challenge faced by patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ADHD, where timing of medication administration critically impacts therapeutic outcomes. Carol Thomson, chief executive officer of BDD Pharma, explained the clinical problem: "Currently, you take your drug when you wake up in the morning, but it takes about an hour or so to kick in. In that period, you can't even tie your shoelaces because you're in so much pain."
The innovative solution allows patients to take medication before bedtime, with the tablet programmed to release its contents during sleep at the optimal time before waking. "It releases while you're asleep, at the right time before waking, and then of course you wake up pain and stiffness-free," Thomson noted.
Clinical Development Pipeline
OralogiK is currently in advanced development for multiple therapeutic applications. The ADHD therapy represents the most advanced program and is expected to become the first available treatment next year. This formulation will offer patients a significant improvement in dosing convenience, providing once-daily administration instead of the multiple doses throughout the day typically required for ADHD management.
The technology's potential extends beyond ADHD to other conditions requiring timed medication delivery, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, where morning stiffness and pain represent major quality-of-life challenges for patients.
Manufacturing Expansion
To support its growing pipeline, BDD Pharma recently opened a new £2 million Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory at BioCity Glasgow. This facility represents a strategic investment in maintaining control over the development and production process. "We will no longer have to outsource the scale-up, so it's going to be very much in our hands, and we will be able to keep manufacturing in Scotland, rather than sending it abroad," Thomson stated.
The new facility was funded through a combination of existing investors led by Archangels, support from Scottish Enterprise, and backing from the British Business Bank. The investment coincides with BDD Pharma's 25th anniversary and positions the company for accelerated development of future OralogiK and modified-release products.
Integrated Development Approach
BDD Pharma has differentiated itself in the pharmaceutical development landscape by adopting an integrated approach that addresses traditional industry inefficiencies. Calum Stevens, commercial director, described the conventional challenges: "Traditionally, people would have to go and find someone to fix their formulation, someone to do the GMP manufacture and someone to take on the clinical work. And they would all have minimum quantities, minimum orders, lengthy timescales and would not communicate effectively with each other."
The company's solution consolidates these services under one roof, enabling greater flexibility and speed in moving between development stages. "So instead of that siloed approach, we offer all of this under one roof. It means that we can move with great flexibility and great rapidity between these stages so that it's just much less for our clients to worry about," Stevens explained.
Company Growth and Industry Impact
BDD Pharma currently employs more than 35 staff and expects continued growth as its product pipeline advances. The company serves as a global drug development partner, working with clients ranging from start-ups to major pharmaceutical firms. The organization has also incorporated lean manufacturing principles from other industries to optimize its operations.
Gerry McCarron, an account manager from Scottish Enterprise, characterized BDD as a "Scottish success story" and emphasized the organization's commitment to supporting innovation in the life sciences sector. "Scottish Enterprise supports businesses to scale up through innovation and investment, with life sciences being an area where we see huge potential for high growth," McCarron stated.
The new BioCity facility is positioned to serve as a hub for life sciences innovation in Glasgow, potentially attracting additional businesses to establish operations in Scotland's growing biotechnology ecosystem.
