Award

CDMO for EMBED 3.0 Research Study

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

27 Apr 2026 at 13:40

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

27 Apr 2026 at 10:31

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff University is advancing its EMBED 3.0 Research Study by directly awarding a contract for the development of contraceptive microneedles. The specific industry category involves research and experimental development services, focusing on microinjection-moulding (MIM) of formulations containing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). This contract is located in Cardiff, United Kingdom, under the Welsh devolved regulations framework. The process has moved to the award stage as of 27th April 2026, with the contract period set from 11th May to 31st December 2026. ProMed Pharma, LLC, a large-scale American supplier, has been identified as the vendor capable of meeting the project’s stringent requirements.

This procurement presents lucrative growth opportunities for businesses specialising in pharmaceutical manufacturing and research services, particularly those with expertise in MIM technology and API formulation. A direct award method was employed due to the prototype nature of the product, allowing for specialised vendors to display their capabilities in producing novel goods and services. Though selected, ProMed Pharma, LLC represents the type of organisation ideally suited to engage in highly technical and compliance-driven contracts within this specialised market, suggesting that similar businesses with advanced manufacturing capabilities could also compete effectively in future opportunities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CDMO for EMBED 3.0 Research Study

Notice Description

Due to the highly specific technical requirements regarding product manufacture (microinjection-moulding (MIM) of formulations containing API) it rapidly became clear that we needed to separate the production from the clinical trial services and identify separate vendors for these services. At the current stage of the program, the identification and selection of a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) was prioritized by the EMBED team and the funder.

Procurement Information

Because the product required highly specialised manufacture using microinjection moulding (MIM) of API-containing formulations, production had to be separated from clinical trial services and a dedicated CDMO selected. The EMBED team and the Foundation prioritised an independent, structured global CDMO selection process, beginning with defining capability-focused criteria, identifying and engaging 29 potential CDMOs, and holding introductory meetings with 14 to assess alignment with technical and GMP requirements. Based on these discussions, CDMOs were categorised by the extent of their MIM and API capabilities, leading to a detailed RFI issued to 12 candidates and NDA execution with 8 shortlisted organisations to enable feasibility assessments. This process was further narrowed through an RFP to three CDMOs, after which Promed Pharma was selected as the only provider able to meet the project's technical, timeline and budget needs. Both the Foundation and other shortlisted CDMOs supported the decision, with final qualification to be confirmed through a due diligence site visit prior to contracting and project initiation. As this work is the development of prototypes, PA23 allows for the direct award for this under Regulation 41 - Schedule 5, para 2 - The public contract concerns the production of a prototype, or supply of other novel goods or services, for the purpose of-- (a)testing the suitability of the goods or services, (b)researching the viability of producing or supplying the goods or services at scale and developing them for that purpose, or (c)other research, experiment, study or development.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068b66
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038100-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£325,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
10 May 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF24 4HQ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PROMED PHARMA

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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