Services

Core Expertise & Services

We provide end-to-end formulation and testing services across the following focus areas:

• Preformulation & Physicochemical Profiling
• Reformulation of Existing Products
• Co-formulation Strategies
• Advanced Analytical Characterisation
• Stability Testing & ICH-Compliant Method Development
• Microfluidics, Microsphere Systems & Controlled-Release Formulations

Preformulation, Reformulation & Co-formulation

Preformulation Studies provide the foundational understanding of API–excipient compatibility, stability, solubility, and physicochemical behaviour. These include:

• Salt, hydrate and polymorph screening
• Solubility/permeability studies (BCS guidance)
• Bulk powder characterisation: particle size, hygroscopicity, true density, flow
• pH and buffer tolerance studies
• Excipient compatibility and thermal stability

Reformulation Services are available for:

• Enhancing product shelf life, palatability, and bioavailability.
• Modifying release profiles (immediate, delayed, or extended)
• Reformulating liquids into solid forms, or vice versa.
• Transitioning conventional formulations to modern excipients or delivery technologies

Co-formulation Projects

Support dual APIs or fixed-dose combinations with attention to:

• Compatibility and stability of actives within a single matrix
• Release synchronisation or segregation
• Taste masking and targeted delivery
• Regulatory guidance for complex multi-component dosage forms

Analytical & Material Characterisation

The Medway Centre for Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCPS) offers comprehensive analytical and physicochemical characterisation services to support formulation development, method validation, regulatory submissions, and product performance optimisation. Our testing capabilities span small molecules, biologics, novel delivery systems, and complex food–pharma matrices.

Chromatography & Spectroscopy

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
• Ultra-Violet Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy
• Mass Spectrometry (MS)
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
• Raman Spectroscopy
• Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC)
• Evaporative Light Scattering Detection (ELSD)
• Gas Chromatography (GC)
• Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Circular Dichroism (CD) for protein secondary structure analysis

Solid-State & Structural Analysis

• X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD)
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
• Dynamic Vapour Sorption (DVS)
• Contact Angle Measurement for surface wettability

Particle Size & Surface Property Characterisation

Our facility offers an extensive suite of analytical methods to evaluate particle size distribution, flow properties, surface charge, and structural characteristics of pharmaceutical powders, suspensions, and multi-particulates. These tests support formulation design, process optimisation, and quality control.

• Zetasizer Nano
  • Particle size distribution (sub-micron to nanometre scale)
  • Zeta potential for colloidal stability prediction
• Mastersizer
  • Laser diffraction for dry and wet particle size analysis (micron scale)
  • Supports raw material characterisation and post-processing assessment
• Jet Milling
  • Particle size reduction to improve dissolution and bioavailability
  • Enables production of fine powders for inhalation and solid dosage forms
• Powder Flowability Testing
  • Angle of repose, Carr’s Index, Hausner Ratio
  • Critical for assessing handling properties during blending, filling, and compression
• Bulk & Tapped Density Measurements
  • Key for dose uniformity, tablet/capsule filling, and compaction studies
• Porosity Analysis
  • Calculated from true and bulk density
  • Influences dissolution, disintegration, and mechanical behaviour of solid dosage forms
  • Can be complemented by imaging (SEM) or mercury porosimetry for deeper pore structure analysis

Stability & Shelf-Life Studies

• ICH-compliant stability testing (Zone II & IV)
• Photostability, humidity & temperature stress testing
• Forced degradation studies for degradant profiling
• Regulatory-ready analytical method development & validation (ICH Q2 (R2))

In Vitro Release Testing & Permeability Studies

• Franz Diffusion Cell Systems for topical, transdermal, and mucosal delivery
• USP Apparatus II (Paddle) for dissolution profiling of oral dosage forms
• Bio-DIS systems for testing complex or modified-release formulations

Rheological & Flow Behaviour Analysis

• Rheometry & Viscosity Testing
  • Measurement of flow properties in gels, emulsions, suspensions, and semisolids
  • Shear-thinning, thixotropy, viscoelasticity and flow stability profiling

Texture & Mechanical Profiling

• Texture Analysis for:
  • Pharmaceutical applications (chewable tablets, gels, film formulations)
  • Food and nutraceutical products (mouthfeel, hardness, spreadability)

Drying & Particle Engineering

• Freeze Dryer (Lyophiliser) for biologics, injectables, and thermolabile APIs
• Spray Dryer for amorphous dispersions, inhalable therapeutics, and powder generation
• Microfluidics Platforms for the controlled fabrication of microspheres, emulsions, and encapsulated systems

Advanced Drug Delivery Platforms

At the Medway Centre for Pharmaceutical Sciences, we offer a robust pipeline of innovative drug delivery technologies designed to meet the needs of modern pharmaceutical development. Our expertise spans conventional, modified release, and targeted delivery systems, with analytical depth and translational focus.

We have particular strengths in:

• Soft Chewable Formulations
  • Designed for paediatric, geriatric, and dysphagia patients
  • Optimised for taste, disintegration, and swallowability
  • Mechanical texture analysis to evaluate chewability, cohesion, and mechanical strength
  • Suitable for APIs requiring mucosal or buccal absorption
• Solid Oral Dosage Forms
  • Development of immediate- and modified-release tablets, capsules, and multiparticulate systems
  • Expertise in granulation, compression, coating, and encapsulation techniques
  • Formulation of fixed-dose combinations and bioenhanced systems
  • In vitro performance testing using USP Apparatus I & II, disintegration, and friability assessments
  • Stability and scale-up support
• Liquid Oral Dosage Forms
• Formulation of solutions, suspensions, syrups, and emulsions for paediatric, geriatric, or dysphagic populations
  • Optimisation of viscosity, taste masking, and dose accuracy
  • Rheological and microbiological testing for quality and palatability
  • Compatibility and preservative efficacy studies
  • Customisable for APIs with solubility or stability challenges
• Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) Formulations
  • Formulation of depot and microparticle-based injectables for sustained delivery
  • Use of PLGA, lipid-based, and biodegradable polymers
  • Evaluation of syringeability, release kinetics, and biocompatibility
  • Stability and release studies under accelerated and real-time conditions
• Microfluidic Microsphere Engineering
  • Lab-on-chip microfluidics for scalable production of monodisperse particles
  • Customisable particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and controlled-release profiles
  • Application in LAIs, inhalation, and oral delivery systems
  • Ideal for precision delivery in both human and veterinary contexts
• Inhalation Drug Delivery Technologies
  • Next Generation Impactor (NGI) for aerodynamic particle size distribution profiling
  • Breathing Simulator for replicating patient-specific inspiratory flow rates
  • Suitable for DPIs and MDIs formulations
  • Analysis of deposition behaviour in lungs and oropharyngeal regions
  • Ideal for formulation development of pulmonary therapeutics and vaccines
• Topical and Semi-Solid Formulations
  • Development of creams, gels, hydrogels, films, ointments, and pastes
  • Designed for dermal, mucosal, or transdermal drug delivery
  • Texture profiling for spreadability, tackiness, and sensory performance
  • In vitro release testing using Franz diffusion cells
  • Stability assessment under ICH and accelerated conditions
  • Suitable for local and systemic therapeutic applications

Biological & Microbiological Services

We offer:

• Mammalian cell culture for bioassay screening
• Microbial testing and preservative efficacy

Collaboration Opportunities

At the Medway Centre for Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCPS), we actively foster partnerships that drive innovation, accelerate product development, and strengthen the talent pipeline between academia and industry.

Whether you require targeted analytical testing, full formulation development, or strategic research collaboration, we offer flexible engagement models tailored to your needs. We support:

• Custom formulation and reformulation projects
• Technology transfer and scale-up feasibility assessments
• Academic–industry translational research proposals
• Fee-for-service or grant-funded joint ventures

We also take pride in training and mentoring early-career researchers, providing practical laboratory skill development to support a smooth transition from academic research to industry roles. Through structured hands-on training, ECRs gain exposure to:

• GLP-relevant analytical and formulation techniques
• Industrially aligned problem-solving approaches
• Instrument operation and regulatory-conscious documentation
• Project-based learning in a multidisciplinary, collaborative setting