Research into new drugs is an important part of Napp's business in the UK and
worldwide.
In the mid-1970s, the Purdue/Mundipharma/Napp independent associated companies
were among the first to develop prolonged release technology, which has
revolutionised the treatment of patients' chronic pain.
Since then, many more innovations have followed, including the first 12-hourly
morphine tablet, the first prolonged release liquid formulation of an
analgesic, the UK’s first seven-day analgesic patch for the management of
severe osteaoarthritis pain and the first twice-daily tablet for asthma
sufferers.
The independent associated companies now employ hundreds of scientists at
research and development centres in four countries - USA, Canada, the United
Kingdom, and Germany.
In the UK, researchers working on behalf of Napp are trying to devise new and
even more effective analgesic drugs. As well as laboratory-based work,
clinical research is underway, supported by a clinical supplies team, which
provides the medicines needed for field trials.
