The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy has merged two of its service divisions to better facilitate the college’s drug development and manufacturing capabilities. The University of Iowa Pharmaceuticals (UIP) is the new name for the combined Division of Pharmaceutical Service and the Center for Advanced Drug Development (CADD). Mickey Wells, previously the director of Pharmaceutical Service, will lead UIP, and Alta Botha, who had served as director of CADD, will serve as scientific director. Merging the two divisions formalizes what was already occurring on a practical level, according to Wells. “Both divisions have worked closely with each other for years. Bringing the two units together will only enhance collaboration and lead to greater efficiency in customer service,” he said. Along with the merger of these two units, the formation of The University of Iowa Pharmaceuticals Development Consortium was announced. This new organization will focus on preformulation, technical feasibility and formulation development. The technical expertise of the UI College of Pharmacy Pharmaceutics Department faculty will be utilized in combination with the client-focused management and manufacturing skills of UIP staff to expand pharmaceutical development capabilities at the University of Iowa. The Division of Pharmaceutical Service is the most experienced university-affiliated drug manufacturing facility registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and has produced clinical supplies in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices since 1974. CADD, established in 1992 and based on the UI Oakdale Research Campus, provides contract analytical testing services. Companies from around the world employ these facilities to produce and test supplies for use in clinical trials and other drug development research.
