Active pharmaceutical production in flow
APPFlow will develop Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in innovative research through a focussed training plan centred on flow chemistry, essential for the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries in Europe. The training programme and research proposed in APPFlow tackles the problems associated with the production of advanced intermediates en-route to Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in the pharma-industry.  The proposal is aligned with important European research goals outlined in Horizon 2020. Specifically, this research will address areas related to Resource Efficiency, Health, Environment and Nanotechnology. The end goals align with those of the SPIRE 2030 targets and aims, most closely aligned with the goal of ‘a reduction of up to 20% in non-renewable, primary raw material intensity compared to current levels by 2030.’  It comprises of three training sites located in Ireland (1) and the UK (2) and involves multidisciplinary collaboration between academic and industrial partners, each with complementary expertise across a range of disciplines. The programme will train 3 ESRs who will gain state-of-the-art, transferable knowledge in a number of valuable areas such as organic chemistry, catalytic chemistry, chemical engineering, process design and economics. APPFlow will establish long-term collaborations and develop structured research and training relevant to industry and academia and result in highly trained and employable ESRs. At the end of the APPFlow programme, the ESRs will possess a multidimensional perspective to research, enabling them to address problems with a holistic approach. The ESRs will also develop a range of transferable “soft” managerial skills that will widen their potential career opportunities and ability to contribute to a range of different sectors. For example, they will receive business and entrepreneurship mentoring, which will assist them in becoming future business leaders.