EMBED 3.0 - Improvement of Formulations

Description

The B&M Gates Foundation (funder) have reviewed the work with the EMBED research team, undertaken with the manufacturer ProMed, and have decided that to push the EMBED 3.0 project into its next stage (EMBED 4.0 – Human Trials), they’ll need to demonstrate their ability to vary the additional batches offer a more robust mechanism for the medications to enter patients. The additional work has been again funded by the foundation for the purpose of increasing the viability of the delivery method (technology developed as part of EMBED) - Previous direct award for the initial development via Regulation 41 - Schedule 5, para 2.

Key facts

Procedure

Direct award

Lots

1

Contact

rower4@cardiff.ac.uk

Contract period

2 Nov 2026 → 31 Dec 2026

Value incl. VAT

£225k

Category

services

Awarded suppliers

• ProMed Pharma, LLC · GB-PPON-PRNX-3276-XWMG · US, US

Ground given for limiting competition

The buyer’s own stated reason for awarding without open competition, as published. Their assertion, not a finding.

The company chosen has helped develop the technology as part of B&M Gates Foundation EMBED 3.0 project. The project is likely to be taken forward, however the funder has asked for some improvements to be made to increase the likelihood of success in a potential next stage entering human trials. We therefore must stay with the previously used company as they are familiar with the novel/prototype equipment, and moving at this point would be entirely unfeasible, even if there were alternatives available.