CAPKR industry consortium: a model for sustainable, impactful research collaboration

The Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research (CAPKR), based at The University of Manchester, has pioneered a unique model of industry-academic collaboration through its long-standing consortium to better understand the effects of drugs after they have been taken.

The Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research (CAPKR) was established in 1996 by Professor Malcolm Rowland and was later enhanced by Professor Amin Rostami from 2017. It brings together leading pharmaceutical companies to advance precompetitive pharmacokinetic research. 

Traditional drug development often relies on population-based dosing, which can lead to suboptimal outcomes for many patients. Differences in drug metabolism caused by genetics, lifestyle and disease can result in adverse effects or reduced efficacy.

CAPKR's mission is to tackle this challenge by gaining a deeper understanding of:

• where drugs travel after administration;
• how they are metabolised;
• the speed at which they are eliminated;
• the ways individual factors influence drug behaviour.

This research underpins precision medicine and supports more cost-effective healthcare delivery.

The consortium model

CAPKR's consortium is the first of its kind in the UK and possibly globally. Made up of members representing major biopharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lilly, Roche, GSK and more, each member company pays an annual fee that grants:

• access to shared precompetitive research;
• influence over future research directions;
• opportunities to initiate proprietary projects for deeper collaboration.

The consortium model generates over £1 million annually, providing CAPKR with financial stability and the freedom to pursue long-term, high-impact research. Governance is democratic: each company appoints two board members who cast votes to shape CAPKR's research strategy.

Research excellence and impact

CAPKR is internationally recognised for its leadership in translational modelling and simulation. Its work has transformed drug development by:

• developing and applying physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling;
• enabling personalised dosing strategies;
• influencing regulatory frameworks - PBPK modelling is now required by the the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

One standout project is the development of liquid biopsy techniques for precision dosing of metabolically-cleared drugs. This non-invasive method uses blood-based exosomes to monitor individual variability in drug metabolism, and feeds into virtual twin models for tailored dosing.

Professional and institutional benefits

The consortium model has created a framework that allows CAPKR researchers to maintain their academic independence while engaging meaningfully with industry partners. It has also supported PhD studentships, postdoctoral research and international partnerships, creating a dynamic environment for scientific progress.

In addition, the model has successfully attracted funding from major organisations such as Cancer Research UK, Innovative Medicines Initiative, the EU and the FDA to deliver complementary projects that extend the impact of its research.

Opportunities for collaboration

Industry partners interested in joining the consortium or initiating bespoke research projects can contact CAPKR directly. The Centre offers:

• access to world-leading expertise in pharmacokinetics;
• direct consultation with key opinion leaders;
• flexible collaboration models tailored to industry needs.