CMAC National Facility
Applied research for medicines manufacturing
Located within the University of Strathclyde, CMAC’s National Facility is a purpose-built 900m2 environment where applied pharmaceutical research meets manufacturing science. We design research that generates process understanding, structured knowledge and transferable capability.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF RESEARCH PARTNER
WHO WE ARE
CMAC is a publicly funded national research centre, not a contract research organisation. When you work with us, you're accessing a multidisciplinary team doing research with you.
Our work is conducted through Quality by Digital Design (QbDD), a research philosophy and framework built around our Digital CMC DataFactories®: integrated platforms that combine real-time data capture, model-informed experimentation, AI/ML tools, and connected knowledge graph infrastructure.
WHO WE WORK WITH
We collaborate with pharmaceutical organisations of all sizes, academic institutions, technology developers and innovation partners at every stage of the development pipeline.
OUR APPROACH
We deliver agile, data‑driven solutions through advanced facilities, integrated digital tools and specialist expertise, providing flexible support that accelerates high‑quality, efficient medicines development from synthesis to formulated product.
Our research is structured around principles where every project builds a structured, machine-readable body of process knowledge that compounds in value, rather than producing a one-time report.
Transforming medicines development from molecule to market
At the heart of CMAC is our physical process and analytical capabilities supported by our CMC DataFactory® infrastructure - purpose-built platforms that integrate QbDD principles across crystallisation, formulation development, continuous drug product manufacturing, and advanced analytics. Real-time data capture, model-informed design, and connected knowledge graph architecture are built into how we work, not bolted on.
End-to-end capability
Taking continuous manufacturing from synthesis to formulated produce - reducing cycle times, improving consistency and enabling real-time quality control.
ROUTES TO COLLABORATION
Academic and early-stage research
For academic institutions and early-stage programmes, we offer collaborative research partnerships, fellowship schemes, and open-access facility use, all conducted within the QbDD framework so outputs are structured and transferable from day one.
Digital-enabled research
Our digital CMC infrastructure is designed to make your results more valuable over time: structured, connected and ready to power AI-enabled pharmaceutical development.
Industry-led applied research
For industry partners with a defined development challenge, we design collaborative research programmes that combine CMAC's multidisciplinary expertise with your scientific and regulatory context.
Technical and digital characterisation
Targeted analytical, modelling and process-design grounded in digital CMC, enabling predictive control and accelerated process understanding.
Scale-up and commercial-stage development
For projects at TRL 4 and above, OpenCMC, CMAC's dedicated commercial vehicle, provides the right structure for your stage of development, bringing CMAC's scientific depth and digital infrastructure to bear within a framework designed for industry timelines and IP requirements.
RESEARCH CAPABILITIES ACROSS THE DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE
X-Ray Diffraction and Solid State Characterisation
Comprehensive structural characterisation solutions for pharmaceutical and advanced materials development.
Crystallisation
Rapid, model-informed process development - reliable control of particle size, polymorph and yield.
Analytics
Contact us to learn about our analytical capabilities.
Drug Product
30+ validated predictive modelling tools and expertise across secondary manufacturing for faster, more confident decisions.
Nanomedicine
Contact us to learn about our nanomedicine capabilities.
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WHY WORK WITH CMAC
End-to-end research capability
Integrated expertise across drug substance, drug product and analytics under one roof
Proven track record
A strong history of solving complex industrial challenges with pharmaceutical partners
Industry-aligned research
Co-created with global pharmaceutical partners, directly shaped by real manufacturing challenges
Multidisciplinary expertise
Chemistry, pharmaceutics, engineering, analytics, and modelling experts working as one team
Accelerated development
Streamlined, data-driven workflows and digital tools reduce experimental burden and get you answers faster
Flexible collaboration
Engage through collaborative research programmes, open-access facility use, or scale-up via OpenCMC, structured around your development stage
FROM OUR PARTNERS
Discovery to Particle Engineering:
“CMAC’s particle engineering support accelerated our API readiness, giving us material suitable for continuous processing far earlier than expected.”
— Former CustomerFormulation & Continuous Processing:
“The continuous direct compression expertise at CMAC significantly improved our material performance and reduced development cycle times.”
— Former CustomerDigital CMC & Analytics:
“The digital workflows and model‑informed approaches helped us identify optimal operating conditions with far fewer experiments.”
— Former CustomerReady to collaborate?
Whether you're exploring new drug products or solving complex process challenges, we are here to help.
CMAC has achieved two Silver and one Bronze level certifications for integrating sustainable practices in its lab operations.