Latest news with #BDD
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Health
- Fast Company
A revolution in heart disease treatment
Cardiovascular disease affects 315 million people globally and is the world's leading cause of death. For the past quarter-century, it has been standard practice for heart surgeons to treat this by inserting small, mesh tubes called stents to widen or unblock patients' coronary arteries to restore blood flow. Unfortunately, many of those patients experienced additional issues—from blood clots to heart attacks—within years, sometimes months, of the procedure. That's where DynamX, a new vascular technology from Elixir Medical, comes in. Like traditional stents, DynamX is minimally invasive and expands arteries to promote blood flow, but their unique design also enables them to restore arteries' natural defense mechanisms, helping patients avoid life-threatening events or costly and dangerous repeat procedures. The technology's promise to allow cardiac patients to heal more completely and live full, productive lives earned Elixir a spot as one of Fast Company 's 2025 Most Innovative Companies. Novel technology, proven effectiveness Traditional stents solve heart patients' immediate, critical need for restoring arterial blood flow. However, because they don't heal the arteries themselves, about half of patients re-experience an adverse medical event within 10 years, says Motasim Sirhan, Elixir founder and CEO. DynamX is different. After six months, Elixir's implant transforms into an essential part of the artery itself as its mesh tube unlocks, freeing and reinforcing the artery's wall. The implant then gradually restores and adapts to the blood vessel's natural pulsing motion. 'You need to address the disease where it's originating, not the just symptoms of it,' Sirhan says. 'This is the first technology to do that.' In the spring and fall of 2024, Elixir announced the results of a pair of large, international randomized clinical trials that demonstrate DynamX's favorable results. Patients with these implants had 65% fewer serious heart events and 78% fewer issues in the left anterior descending artery—which is critical for heart function as it supplies 50% of blood to the heart—than patients with traditional stent implants. Last year, recognizing DynamX's promise, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Elixir 'Breakthrough Device Designation' (BDD) on two applications of its DynamX technology: to treat heart artery blockage and serious artery blockages in the leg below the knee. BDD accelerates the review and approval process for novel technologies that may provide more effective treatment of life-threatening diseases and conditions. Patient-focused solutions As they developed DynamX, the company's researchers never lost sight of the seriousness and scale of the problem they were addressing. Many people begin to have cardiac issues in their 50s and 60s, requiring them to undergo multiple procedures. Patients often miss a substantial amount of work and sometimes can't participate fully in family activities. As Sirhan puts it, these hardships—on top of the millions or cardiac deaths annually—are 'not acceptable.' Elixir's innovative solution is the product of a multidisciplinary team of experts in physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and other fields. The researchers addressed the challenge from different perspectives but with a singular mission: serving patients. 'What was important for us,' Sirhan says, 'was being able to make a difference in patient treatment and to not be fazed by the difficulty of the mission.'
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Upturn
Orchestra BioMed Showcases AVIM Therapy as Purpose-Built Solution for Hypertensive Heart Disease at CSI Frankfurt 2025
Presentation underscores unique potential for atrioventricular interval modulation ('AVIM') therapy to manage blood pressure in older, high-risk patients who have indicators of diastolic dysfunction and progression to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction ('HFpEF') Hypertensive heart disease represents over 7.7 million U.S. patients, the same population with hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risk cited in the recent FDA Breakthrough Device Designation ('BDD') for AVIM therapy NEW HOPE, Pa., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orchestra BioMed Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OBIO, 'Orchestra BioMed' or the 'Company'), a biomedical company accelerating high-impact technologies to patients through risk-reward sharing partnerships, today announced the presentation of key clinical insights into the role of AVIM therapy for the treatment of high-risk hypertension at the Congenital, Structural, and Valvular Heart Disease Interventions ('CSI') 2025 Meeting. The data highlight AVIM therapy's unique potential to address hypertensive heart disease, a significant and under-recognized cardiovascular syndrome that affects a growing segment of the aging hypertension population. The talk, 'Atrioventricular Interval Modulation (AVIM) Therapy for Hypertension and HFpEF,' will be delivered by Daniel Burkhoff, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Heart Failure, Hemodynamics and Mechanical Circulatory Support Research at Cardiovascular Research Foundation and clinical advisor to Orchestra BioMed. Dr. Burkhoff will spotlight the clinical utility of AVIM therapy as a novel, device-based approach to blood pressure management designed specifically for patients with hypertensive heart disease. This population has increased risk for major adverse cardiac events and currently lacks sufficient therapeutic options. The presentation will take place on June 18, 2025, at 3:33pm CEST / 9:33am ET as part of the ' Interventions for Chronic Heart Failure ' session. Dr. Burkhoff commented, 'Hypertensive heart disease is not a singular diagnosis, but a high-risk cardiovascular syndrome driven by longstanding, uncontrolled high blood pressure which significantly increases the likelihood of adverse clinical outcomes such as stroke, myocardial infarction, diastolic dysfunction and progression to heart failure. The data I will review at CSI explore how AVIM therapy may offer a unique treatment specifically catered to this group of patients leveraging a mechanism of action designed to reduce cardiac preload and modulate autonomic nervous system responses to reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular function. This represents a potential paradigm shift in how we approach blood pressure management using tailored interventions designed to directly impact the complex pathophysiology of high-risk hypertension.' The presentation will cover: The clinical burden and therapeutic gaps in managing patients with high-risk hypertension and increased risk of heart failure; in managing patients with high-risk hypertension and increased risk of heart failure; The growing body of clinical and mechanistic evidence demonstrating AVIM therapy's potential to lower blood pressure and improve cardiac function; and demonstrating AVIM therapy's potential to lower blood pressure and improve cardiac function; and Details on the BACKBEAT global pivotal study, currently enrolling patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are indicated for a dual-chamber pacemaker. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Medtronic, the global leader in cardiac pacing therapy. 'AVIM therapy was purpose-built to address the complex and underserved needs of patients with hypertensive heart disease, a subgroup often overlooked by conventional therapy,' said Avi Fischer, M.D., Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Innovation at Orchestra BioMed. 'As a programmable, pacemaker-integrated solution, AVIM therapy has the potential to fit seamlessly into existing electrophysiology practices while opening the door to better outcomes in a large, underserved population. Dr. Burkhoff's presentation at CSI Frankfurt further reinforces the growing clinical interest in AVIM therapy and highlights the significant opportunity to transform care of hypertensive heart disease, especially given our recently granted BDD status, which applies directly to this patient profile.' About Orchestra BioMed Orchestra BioMed (Nasdaq: OBIO) is a biomedical innovation company accelerating high-impact technologies to patients through risk-reward sharing partnerships with leading medical device companies. Orchestra BioMed's partnership-enabled business model focuses on forging strategic collaborations with leading medical device companies to drive successful global commercialization of products it develops. Orchestra BioMed's lead product candidate is AVIM therapy for the treatment of hypertension, the leading risk factor for death worldwide. Orchestra BioMed is also developing Virtue SAB for the treatment of atherosclerotic artery disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Orchestra BioMed has a strategic collaboration with Medtronic, one of the largest medical device companies in the world, for development and commercialization of AVIM therapy for the treatment of hypertension in pacemaker-indicated patients, and a strategic partnership with Terumo, a global leader in medical technology, for development and commercialization of Virtue SAB for the treatment of artery disease. The Company has received four Breakthrough Device Designations from the U.S. FDA across these two core programs, reflecting the significant potential of its technologies to address high unmet needs in cardiovascular care. For further information about Orchestra BioMed, please visit , and follow us on LinkedIn . References to Websites and Social Media Platforms References to information included on, or accessible through, websites and social media platforms do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through such websites or social media platforms, and you should not consider such information to be part of this press release. About AVIM Therapy AVIM therapy is an investigational therapy compatible with standard dual-chamber pacemakers designed to substantially and persistently lower blood pressure. It has been evaluated in pilot studies in patients with hypertension who are also indicated for a pacemaker. MODERATO II, a double-blind, randomized pilot study, showed that patients treated with AVIM therapy experienced net reductions of 8.1 mmHg in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (aSBP) and 12.3 mmHg in office systolic blood pressure (oSBP) at six months when compared to control patients. In addition to reducing blood pressure, clinical results using AVIM therapy demonstrate improvements in cardiac function and hemodynamics. The BACKBEAT (BradycArdia paCemaKer with atrioventricular interval modulation for Blood prEssure treAtmenT) global pivotal study will further evaluate the safety and efficacy of AVIM therapy in lowering blood pressure in patients who have systolic blood pressure above target despite anti-hypertensive medication and who are indicated for or have recently received a dual-chamber cardiac pacemaker. AVIM therapy has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension in patients who have increased cardiovascular risk. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as 'believe,' 'may,' 'will,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'should,' 'would,' 'plan,' 'predict,' 'potential,' 'seem,' 'seek,' 'future,' 'outlook' and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the enrollment, implementation and design of the Company's planned and ongoing pivotal trials, realizing the clinical and commercial value of the Company's product candidates, the potential safety and efficacy of the Company's product candidates, and the ability of the Company's partnerships to accelerate clinical development. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal conditions; risks related to regulatory approval of the Company's commercial product candidates and ongoing regulation of the Company's product candidates, if approved; the timing of, and the Company's ability to achieve expected regulatory and business milestones; the impact of competitive products and product candidates; and the risk factors discussed under the heading 'Item 1A. Risk Factors' in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025 and the risk factor discussed under the heading 'Item 1A. Risk Factors' in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, which was filed with the SEC on May 12, 2025. The Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, the Company cautions against placing undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date of this press release. The Company does not plan and undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements made herein, except as required by law. Investor ContactSilas NewcombOrchestra BioMed [email protected]
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Beauty's war with mind
It starts with a glance: quick, critical, and dismissive. A glance that soon becomes a gaze, then an obsession. The mirror turns into an enemy, each reflection exposing what the mind has already magnified beyond reality. A slightly crooked nose becomes a deformity. Mild acne scars turn into deep, disfiguring pits. And no matter how many people say, 'You look fine', the mind refuses to believe it. That's the cruel reality of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a silent, relentless thief of confidence that reshapes how a person sees themselves, even when the world sees nothing wrong. 'Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a severe mental health condition where a person is intensely obsessed with any self-perceived flaws or defects in their physical appearance, flaws that are either not observable or appear minor to others. This preoccupation over their body causes significant emotional distress and can interfere with day-to-day functioning, relationships, and their social life,' says Dr Aana Shah, consultant psychiatrist at Aster Prime Hospital, Ameerpet. This isn't about someone simply disliking a selfie or wishing for clearer skin. This is a psychological struggle where the mind distorts reality. 'Though core features are similar. Generally women often focus on skin, hair, weight, or facial features. Men may also fixate on muscularity (muscle dysmorphia), hair thinning, or genitals. They might be more likely to exercise excessively or use steroids,' narrates Dr C Manjula Rao, clinical psychologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills.
The Print
3 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Bombay buildings' modernism was driven by the middle class, not elites
Here's a story on how a local version of modernism that was both global in form and regional in spirit was shaped by the people of Bombay. But how did Bombay outrun Calcutta and Madras in aesthetic innovation? What events led it to distinctly project a modernist urban identity? Who was behind this drastic transformation that made Bombay catch this global modern wave? Why Bombay? Why not any other Asian city? And how exactly? In the early 20th century, Bombay stood at the crossroads of empire, migration, and modernity, emerging as the focal point of modernism in the Indian subcontinent. While Calcutta and Madras shared similar morphology—both being trading ports and sites of global exchange—Bombay was unique, cosmopolitan, and a crucible of cultural experimentation and architectural transformation. The Rise of a modern metropolis By the 1920s, Bombay was bursting with industries, manufacturing units, and people. Overcrowding in the City of Seven Islands, coupled with industrial expansion and plague outbreak, prompted the city administration to shift attention toward suburban development, especially in Salsette Island, the island north of Bombay. This was not just a response to urban congestion but an opportunity to reimagine the city's built environment. The mistakes made by the Bombay City Improvement Trust in the island city could be resolved in the suburbs. Hence, a new body was formed—the Bombay Development Department (BDD)—in 1920, which aimed to create suburban schemes in Salsette for the upper and middle classes of Bombay. Acquiring land from the Indian villagers of Salsette, creating roads and then demarcating new uniform plots was the groundwork laid for suburban planning by the BDD. Unlike the chawls for the working class and the colonial bungalows of the elites, something new was needed. This took shape in the form of new modern architectural typologies—detached appropriated villas, and apartments which catered specifically to a unique set of people—the burgeoning middle class. The middle class of Bombay itself was unique. The English-educated, white-collar job-going, upper-caste people, after saving a good percentage of their income, were left with just enough money to live through the vagaries of life—some characteristic features of the Bombay middle class. No one knew better functional and economic efficiency than them. Further, unlike the working class, they were educated. Partly with the knowledge of modern hygiene and a strong desire to be categorised away from the working class, they adhered to the modern forms of hygiene and sanitation. This meant standardised living, modern flushing toilets, and houses in well-planned neighbourhoods with clean air and water, which was hardly possible for the middle class in the island city; hence the suburbs. This also meant embracing new and modern ways of living, which entailed modern style and aesthetics—houses designed in Western styles. In the 1930s, the striking Art Deco style was considered modern worldwide. Miami and Paris had houses, furniture, and artefacts designed in Art Deco. The elites in Bombay were at par with Parisians and Miamians. They built houses with curved balconies, geometric motifs, and streamlined facades, and had sleek furniture and furnishings. Inspired by the elites, the middle class built similar houses, bought similar furnishings, and equipped their homes with modern-looking tiles and kitchen and toilet appliances. Houses designed with Art Deco aesthetics could be seen popping up in the suburbs of Juhu, Bandra, and Khar. At this point of time, Art Deco became a bold cultural symbol for anything which was modern. It got more popular with the Ideal Home Exhibition of 1937, a first-of-its-kind architectural exposition in India, organised by the Indian Institute of Architects, which displayed reinforced concrete models, modern bathroom fixtures, and ferrocement innovations. It brought global design sensibilities to an Indian middle class hungry for aesthetic modernity. Modernism was not just about architectural style, it was about breaking from the past, making progress, and creating new social norms. People who came from villages had strong notions of caste purity and pollution. To an extent, these were dissolved in Bombay. Partly due to English education and partly because of colonial urbanity, Indians had to share spaces with people of other caste, religion, ethnicity, and other sub identities—something which would be unimaginable in the villages—in local trains, offices, and also their new homes and neighbourhoods. With toilets coming inside the houses, new notions of caste pollution and purity were formed. Sharing a compound space and walls with people of other castes and religions meant breaking a centuries-old tradition of caste purity, while forming new notions of cosmopolitanism provided through the ideas of progress and development. Also read: How Jaisalmer architecture cools its buildings. It has the answer to heat in Indian cities The middle class as agents of modernism A unique feature of Bombay's modernism movement was that it was not entirely state-led or elite-driven. Instead, it was shaped significantly by the aspiration and agency of the middle class. Through English education, credit networks, and political mobilisation, Bombay's middle class actively participated in reimagining domestic and urban life. The suburbs became sites where this new identity unfolded—not just architecturally, but socially. For example, in neighbourhoods like Vile Parle, Santa Cruz, and Bandra, residents petitioned municipal authorities and the BDD for better infrastructure—roads, drainage, sewage system, and amenities like hospitals, playgrounds, temples, and schools. It was not just the Art Deco cinemas like Eros and Regal which were modernised, but playgrounds and reading rooms got a modern makeover too. In 1925, the Vile Parle residents' association wrote to the municipality to create a literary association which would be inclusive and accessible to everyone. In 1946, Khar residents asked the municipality to develop a reading room in Khar which could be used by people of every caste, creed, and religion. In 1922, middle class residents of Santa Cruz wrote to the Santa Cruz municipality asking to develop a hospital for the use of everyone in the community. In the 1930s, the residents of Khar asked the municipality to establish a Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in the locality, which could be used for everyone even though it was a religious building. The design of the building was modernist—simple, plain façade with no ornamentation, curved canopy, geometric pattern in iron grill on windows. Not only the architectural style of the reading room or the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram was inspired by modern Art Deco, but the idea and rationale behind the creation of such a space was also modern. Modernism on the one hand meant modern hygiene and infrastructure, but on the other hand, it also meant empowerment to demand these things. The middle class was empowered to an extent that resistance in the form of petitions, delegations, and press was prominent in the 1930s. Local resistance and advocacy shaped these suburban spaces of Bombay, embedding notions of self-governance and civic modernity into the urban fabric of Bombay. The files at the Maharashtra State Archives are filled with petitions from individuals, groups, resident associations, and press cuttings detailing how the middle class would conduct public meetings, make resolutions, and draft letters addressed to the municipal boards asking for better infrastructure, better roads, drainage system, seawalls and sluices, better administration, and less taxes. This grasp on colonial laws and bureaucratic rationality, knowledge of rights and freedom, and English-speaking capability shows that the middle class was modern in social terms not in just superficial terms. Modernism was also present inside the houses, not just outside. Perhaps the most intimate expressions of Bombay's cultural modernism occurred inside the house. As historian Jordan Sand argues, modernism often took root not in monumental public spaces but in the private realm. In Bombay, this meant functional internal planning. While houses before the modernisation had halls which were used for multiple functions, modern houses in Bombay meant areas designated for every purpose. But connecting and arranging these areas in order to get enough light and ventilation was not an easy task and thus builders, architects, and designers (all inspired by modernist style) were hired. Modern houses in Bombay, like Vilhervin in Bandra, had the living-cum-drawing room becoming the fulcrum of the house, located spatially close to the kitchen and bedrooms, with the staircase, located at the front with a different entrance, and toilets at the end. These houses were embellished with imported bathroom fittings, mosaic-tiled floors, teakwood furniture inspired by Bauhaus ideals, and kitchens reconfigured for hygienic living. The Beautiful Homes column in The Times of India and illustrated guides in the Indian Concrete Journal propagated ideals of the modern Indian home. These publications suggested that to be modern was not merely to live in a new building but to inhabit it in new ways—through rational spatial planning, efficient fixtures and furniture, and new consumer products. The Art Deco architecture and modernist interiors created a hybrid aesthetic: Western in influence but adapted to Indian lifestyles. Balconies became transitional zones for prayer and gossip; drawing rooms reflected a blend of Persian carpets and chrome-legged chairs. This adaptation, far from being derivative, reflected a vernacular modernism that was distinctly Bombay. Parallel currents in Madras and Calcutta While Bombay emerged as a visual and spatial emblem of modernity in the Indian subcontinent, Madras and Calcutta cultivated their own modernist movements, albeit along different trajectories. In Madras, modernism was shaped by its intellectual and bureaucratic elite. The city's urban transformation in the early 20th century was less dramatic than Bombay's, but equally significant. Modernism in Madras, by virtue of Art Deco, became visible in cinema theatres like Casino, preview halls of Gemini, AVM, and Vijaya Vauhini studios, commercial buildings like Dare House, hotels such as Oceanic and Dasaprakash, and in residential areas including T Nagar, Mylapore, Alwarpet, and Adyar. Architects from the Government College of Architecture in Guindy experimented with tropical modernism—designing homes and public buildings that responded to heat, humidity, and vernacular forms. The Madras School of Art (now Government College of Fine Arts), under figures like KCS Paniker became a hub for modernist expression in painting, blending indigenous symbolism with abstraction. Meanwhile, Calcutta, once the imperial capital, bore the weight of colonial legacy and radical politics. Its modernism was deeply intertwined with the Bengal Renaissance and Leftist intellectual circles. Writers, artists, and architects in Calcutta grappled with questions of identity, class, and social justice. Calcutta's rich legacy of Art Deco architecture and therefore modernism—blending Western styles with Indian traditional elements—is clearly visible in the iconic Victoria House, Metro Cinema, the Shyambazar Mullick House, and the Seksaria House. Modernism in Calcutta is well depicted in its residential neighbourhoods like Southern Avenue, Jodhpur Park, and Lake Gardens. Modernist architecture appeared in pockets—through the works of Habib Rahman and others who studied in the West. But Calcutta's modernism was perhaps more ideological and literary than visual. The proliferation of the 'little magazine' culture and the influence of Marxist thought shaped a version of cultural modernism steeped in debate, art, and radical politics. What set Bombay apart was its middle class. There were elites in both Calcutta and Madras and one can find bigger Art Deco bungalows and cinemas built for the elites. However, the middle class and its emulation to be modern was what was missing in both Calcutta and Madras. And this is reflected in the mundane-looking yet profound simple Art Deco houses for the middle class in Bombay. Public housing for the non-elites came in Bombay before any other Asian cities. Further, the non-elites were shaping, re-shaping, and appropriating it constantly. This agency of the non-elite middle class is unique to Bombay, making it different from any other city. There were reading rooms and spaces where these discussions and discourses on 'being modern' were formed. Additionally, there were cinemas and theatres which made this information accessible for the middle class. This reinforced Bombay's image as the beating heart of modernism in the Indian subcontinent. Also read: Ratnagiri vs Mumbai—What 'All We Imagine as Light' gets horribly wrong about cities, Bahujans The legacy of Bombay's modernism Bombay's modernism was not a singular, linear movement, but one driven by aesthetic, social, and spatial practices. It emerged from a convergence of material conditions—overcrowding, technological innovations like reinforced concrete, new professional networks of architects—as well as intangible aspirations for cosmopolitanism, progress, and self-definition. Compared to the intellectual modernism of Calcutta or the climatically responsive architecture of Madras, Bombay's modernism was visual, performative, and deeply embedded in everyday life. The interesting and often overlooked question is: who actually built those modern spaces? And the answer is, the middle class. Those who are ubiquitous but have been seldom given any recognition. They used tools like bureaucracy, knowledge of their rights and social capital, and networks to emulate the modern ways of living, which reflected in the spaces they inhabited. From suburban neighbourhoods to Deco reading rooms and curated interiors, modernity in Bombay was lived and experienced at every level of the city. Today, remnants of this modernist past survive in fading murals, crumbling facades, heritage public buildings, and old family homes. Sabine Ameer is an architect-urban planner and a doctoral researcher in International Relations at the University of Glasgow. She tweets @Sabineameer. Excy Hansda is a doctoral researcher in Architectural History at the University of Liverpool, and a visiting researcher at the University of Antwerp. He tweets @excy_hansda. Views are personal. (Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Scottish firm BDD Pharma's breakthrough in drug delivery
BDD Pharma, based at BioCity Glasgow, has developed the OralogiK drug delivery system, a new tablet technology designed to release medication in the body at precisely the right time. The timed-release system could transform the way patients manage conditions that require medication at specific times, such as ADHD and rheumatoid arthritis. Read more: 'So proud': Glasgow school earns national award for STEM education. Carol Thomson, chief executive officer of BDD Pharma, said: "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. "So we have developed a tablet that can be taken before you go to bed. "It releases while you're asleep, at the right time before waking, and then of course you wake up pain and stiffness-free." OralogiK is already in advanced development for several treatments. The ADHD therapy is expected to become the first available next year, offering patients a once-daily tablet instead of multiple doses throughout the day. The company recently opened a new £2 million Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory at BioCity. This facility will allow BDD to accelerate the development and production of future OralogiK and modified-release products. Carol said: "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." The new facility was funded by existing investors led by Archangels, with support from Scottish Enterprise and a new backer - the British Business Bank. To mark the opening and celebrate BDD's 25th anniversary, the company hosted a gathering at BioCity Glasgow. The BDD Pharma team (Image: Supplied) BDD currently employs more than 35 staff and expects further growth as its product pipeline advances. The company describes itself as a global drug development partner, serving clients from start-ups to major pharmaceutical firms. It has also adopted lean manufacturing principles from other industries. Calum Stevens, commercial director, said: "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,' he explained. '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.' Read more: 'Incredible honour': Dementia care team win prestigious award Gerry McCarron, an account manager from Scottish Enterprise, called BDD a "Scottish success story" and said the organisation is proud to support its growth and innovation. He said: '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. 'We are backing ambitious companies like BDD Pharma to develop and deliver groundbreaking solutions to real-world problems, in high-quality labs, in turn attracting other businesses to tap into that supply chain and find their home in Scotland too. "It is fantastic to see the new facility at BioCity, which looks set to be an exciting hub for life sciences in Glasgow.'
