In a move that signals a seismic shift in its operational model, Cave Hill Campus is now running its first for-profit business.
The Centre for Commercial Analytical Services (CCAS) was officially launched in March 2023, a year after being approved by Cave Hill’s highest decision-making body, its Campus Council. It operates out of the Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences in the Faculty of Science and Technology. CCAS has been equipped to identify the structure of unknown compounds.
More specifically, its two nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers have the capability to analyse environmental samples, water, food, pharmaceuticals, industrial and commercial products, and volatile organic compounds, among others, according to Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Clive Landis.
“We are taking a big step towards the realisation of our five-year 2022-2027 strategy for the Cave Hill campus themed Creating Value from our Ideas,” he said during the opening ceremony.
Professor Landis said CCAS, which offers, for effective decision making, high quality testing, fast turnaround time, and competitive prices, positions the Cave Hill campus as a centre of economic activity in the life sciences sector. He said the provision of on-island access to critical analytical services negates the need to send certain materials overseas, which results in a loss of foreign exchange.
“We will be working closely with Export Barbados to authenticate the geographical indication status of certain food and drink products for exportation; for example, Barbadian rum since our equipment can detect and certify the biological signatures that are specific to every authentic Barbadian rum.”
Then Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Davidson Ishmael said CCAS fits within the Barbados Government’s vision in its bid to position the country as a hub in the life sciences sector.
Achieving this, he explained, will require commercial analytical services primarily for safety assurance and quality control. The minister said the intention is to explore and exploit all available opportunities in a range of areas, including research and development, the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology-based foods and medicines, medical devices, and food processing.
“These circumstances will provide a golden opportunity for Barbados Industrial Development Corporation (Export Barbados) to work closely with the university in offering these said services to its customers on a commercial basis. “Undeniably, industry and our new approach to the development thereof, is inextricably aligned with innovation, science and technology. Thus, what we have with the launch of the Centre for Commercial and Analytical Services stands as a physical exemplar of the pivotal and synergistic role UWI, Cave Hill Campus plays in stimulating innovation through strategic collaborations that can produce lasting economic and social value.”
Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Dr. Jeanese Badenock said the development of the centre follows years of discussion, planning and consultancies. With its realisation, she looks forward to the faculty being positioned as a centre of excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) innovation and leadership.
She invited businesses and individuals in need of testing services to engage the analytical services that include on-site sampling, sampling preparation, data analysis, and targeted recommendations. One such business that utilises these services is the Warrens-based Carlisle Laboratories where Gary Palmer serves as General Manager. He told the launch ceremony that the pharmaceutical manufacturing company produces over 100 products, including medicated shampoos, tablets, powders, capsules, and ointments in accordance with strict practices and United States and British pharmacopoeial standards (standards for pharmaceutical substances and medicinal products).
However, the absence of accredited laboratories on the island has meant that over 250 samples are couriered annually to Canada where they undergo tests to confirm active pharmaceutical ingredients, physical characteristics, microbial and stabilities studies to determine their expiry dates. Palmer stated, “The benefits of having an accredited testing facility on the island would negate the need for foreign exchange, reduce turnaround, ensure better communication between the client and the laboratory, and provide the ability to use on-island, analytical data in real-time decision making.
Also, for future research and development into new products, a testing facility would provide direct access to a cadre of expertise and the customization of testing criteria best suited to our clients’ needs.”
He said he looked forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with the CCAS.
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