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EMBED 3.0 - Improvement of Formulations

Cardiff University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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19 Oct 2026 at 14:44

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff University commissioned research and development services to improve formulations for the EMBED project. The work involves producing additional batches and improving the medication delivery method, with the aim of making delivery into patients more viable and supporting a possible later stage involving human trials. The work is for the university’s research project and is funded by the B&M Gates Foundation. The delivery location is recorded as the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and ProMed Pharma, LLC was selected through a direct award. The university says the supplier had helped develop the technology and was familiar with the novel prototype equipment, making a change of supplier unfeasible at this stage. The award value is £187,587 excluding VAT (£225,104 including VAT). The contract period runs from 2 November to 31 December 2026. The award is recorded as pending, and a signature was scheduled for 30 October 2026. The work is one lot. Milestone payments are conditional on each improvement being completed to the satisfaction of the funder and university. No separate scored evaluation criteria are described.

For suppliers considering comparable future work for Cardiff University, this award shows demand for specialist research and development on pharmaceutical formulation and medication delivery, including development of additional batches and refinement of a novel prototype. A credible competitor would need to demonstrate relevant technical expertise and the ability to improve a delivery method for potential use in patients. Experience with prototype equipment and continuity with the technology are particularly important: the university selected the incumbent because of its prior development work and familiarity with the equipment. Suppliers would also need to deliver defined improvements to the satisfaction of both the funder and university, supporting milestone-based payment. The requirement was delivered by a large US-based pharmaceutical supplier.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

EMBED 3.0 - Improvement of Formulations

Notice 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.

Procurement Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078aee
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098562-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£187,587 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 1-6 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
Postcode Area
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, LLC

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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