University of Liverpool — Major funding extension to advance revolutionary long-acting therapeutic technologies

The LONGEVITY project started in 2020 and has already accomplished preclinical proof of concept for long-acting medications for tuberculosis, and for hepatitis C virus therapy. The primary motivation of LONGEVITY researchers is ensuring these therapeutics are easily accessible in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs).

Professor Andrew Owen, principal investigator for the LONGEVITY project and co-director of CELT said: ​“We are proud to work with our passionate and dedicated colleagues at Unitaid in the continued implementation of the LONGEVITY project. Long-acting medicines hold enormous promise to address challenges in treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in low- and middle- income countries. The additional investment in CELT will help us to broadly address challenges associated with equitable development and deployment of long-acting medicines.”

Professor Steve Rannard, materials chemist and co-director of CELT said: ​“The opportunity to work with Unitaid and our global LONGEVITY consortium partners to help to address unmet medical needs is a huge privilege. We are very excited to move to the next phase of the programme and demonstrate the benefits of our long-acting candidates in human studies.”

Professor Wiebe Van Der Hoek, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering said: ​“The CELT team has now secured an extension to develop long-acting injectables for tuberculosis infection and hepatitis C, while exploratory work will start on Microarray Patches. What is particularly exciting about the work of CELT is its cross-Departmental and indeed cross-Faculty nature, showing the benefits of multidisciplinary activities combined with a compelling team vision, producing excellent research outputs and great impact through health benefits worldwide.”

Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences said: ​“We are exceptionally proud of the UNITAID funded Longevity programme and the team at CELT. This work is truly at the forefront of innovation in drug delivery and the impact is striking; long-acting drug delivery systems are proving to be a key line of defence in global threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and in addressing the previously unmet needs of vulnerable populations. This programme involves colleagues from across the university and is a world class and inspirational example of inter-disciplinary team science at its best.”

Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at the University of Liverpool said: ​“I am delighted and proud that, in collaboration with international partners, CELT can continue this vital work to improve access to long-acting therapeutics in low- and middle-income countries. The Longevity project and its significant impact on people’s lives on an international scale make an important contribution to the University of Liverpool’s global strategic ambitions.” Read more