---
title: "LIONNS-D2 Project - Production of T3S API, IMP and FDF"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05d2df"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d2df"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d2df.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d2df.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CARDIFF UNIVERSITY"
published: "2025-10-24"
---

# LIONNS-D2 Project - Production of T3S API, IMP and FDF

Buyer: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05d2df

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## Summary

Cardiff University has concluded a public procurement process for the LIONNS-D2 Project, involving the production of Triiodothyronine sulphate (T3S) for a Phase 2b clinical trial. This procurement, tailored for the medical and pharmaceutical industry, was completed using a direct award method due to the unique technical requirements and absence of competition. Ardena Holding NV, a large-scale supplier based in Belgium, was identified as the sole capable entity to fulfil this contract. The project's location is Cardiff, Wales, with the production scheduled to start on 6th November 2025 and expected to finalise by 31st January 2027. This contract, valued at €953,600, falls under the goods procurement category.

This procurement offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies specialising in the pharmaceutical sector, especially those with expertise in producing investigational medicinal products and complying with GMP standards. Although the direct award nature limits competition, businesses with similar specialisations can benchmark against Ardena Holding NV for future tenders requiring bespoke medicinal manufacturing. Additionally, this collaboration with a prestigious institution like Cardiff University could pave the way for future research and development partnerships in the healthcare sector.

## Notice

Cardiff University's School of Medicine is procuring the manufacture of a novel investigational medicinal product (IMP), Triiodothyronine sulphate (T3S), for use in a Phase 2b clinical trial. The service includes the production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), the IMP, and the finished drug formulation (FDF) in blister packs. This bespoke drug is intended for hypothyroid patients with a specific genetic variation affecting thyroid hormone metabolism. The supplier will manufacture the product to GMP standards, using a validated Route of Synthesis supported by existing preclinical and toxicology data.

### Procurement Information

T3S is not commercially available and must be manufactured to GMP standards using a specific Route of Synthesis (RoS) supported by existing preclinical and toxicology data. Following extensive market engagement, Ardena NV has been identified as the only supplier capable of delivering the full scope of requirements: sourcing raw materials, manufacturing the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), producing the IMP, and packaging the Finished Drug Formulation (FDF) in blister packs. Other CDMOs approached were unable to meet the technical and regulatory requirements. The direct award is justified under the following provisions of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023: - The contract concerns the supply of novel goods for research and development purposes. - Due to technical reasons and absence of competition, only one supplier can meet the requirement. - There are no reasonable alternatives available.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068032-2025 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Oct 2025 |
| Contract period | 6 Nov 2025 - 31 Jan 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £953,600 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CARDIFF UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | CARDIFF |
| Post town | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF24 4HQ |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan |
| Local authority | Cardiff |
| Electoral ward | Cathays |
| Westminster constituency | Cardiff South and Penarth |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ARDENA HOLDING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

### Codes

- 33600000 - Pharmaceutical products

## Release History

- 24 Oct 2025 at 08:23 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068032-2025
- 23 Oct 2025 at 16:25 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067987-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068032-2025
  24th October 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067987-2025
  23rd October 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ardena.com
- http://www.cardiff.ac.uk
- http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/business/why-work-with-us/for-suppliers
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d2df. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d2df.json.