Dr Felix Franks

Welcome to my website, which provides a summary of a 55 year career in science, with varied experience in academia and industry - large and small - in the U.K. and abroad.

My efforts and interest have been devoted mainly to studies of the mysteries of Water in our ecosystem - its physics, chemistry, technology, its role in the creation and support of Life, and aspects of water purification, distribution, usage, economics and politics. Beginning in industry, I have made the transition to academia and back again to industry six times and now pride myself of having gained an understanding concerning the nature of the various interfaces that join or divide international scientific endeavour.

• BioUpdate Foundation - Founder and Director:
• Nektar Therapeutic Systems Consultant: Appointed: 1990
• University of Nottingham Life Sciences Special Professor: Appointed: 1973

Recent News

In 1975 I became interested in mechanisms that provide natural resistance against so-called water stress, induced by drought, freezing or saline conditions. The work led to the insight that vitrification (glass formation) of aqueous media is a powerful principle that protects many living species during periods of extreme water stress. By applying this insight to the in vitro stabilisation of labile biological molecules, my team was able to produce stable therapeutic molecules in the dry state.

A patent was filed in 1989, and the technology was first applied on a practical scale by Nektar Therapeutics of San Carlos, California, in their search for a solid insulin preparation that is stable at room temperature and can be administred as a dry smoke through the lung, i.e. without the use of a needle.

After 15 years of fine tuning, lengthy IP litigation and extensive clinical trials, the product, Exubera, was recommended early in October 2005, by Expert Committees of the Food and Drugs Agency and the European Regulating Body, for production and marketing approval.

Further Reading:
"Catalyst", the Newsletter of the Cambridge Science Park (Winter 2005 issue) carries an article on "Injection-free insulin", describing a development based on research carried out and patented by Dr Franks and his colleagues at the laboratory of Pafra Biopreservation.

A downloadable zipped version of this article is available here (size - 360kb).

Qualifications

• D.Sc. (h.c.), University of Waterloo, Canada, Chemistry, 1995.
• D.Sc. (h.c.), University of Regensburg, Biophysics, 1987.
• D.Sc., University of London, Biophysics, 1971.
• F.R.S.C., Royal Society of Chemistry, 1971.
• Ph.D., University of London, Physical Chemistry, 1958.

Expertise and Research Interests

Physics, physical chemistry and biochemistry of water and aqueous solutions. Applications to protein stability and interactions between biological molecules; hydration behaviour, studied by physico-chemical methods. Science and technology of freeze-drying.

Drying technology, as it pertains to the drying of labile biomaterials (biopharmaceuticals). Amorphous, water-soluble materials, glass transitions and thermomechanical properties, particularly as applied to the stabilisation of biomaterials. Physical techniques for the estimation of product shelf lives.

Other Expertise

Extensive international teaching, industrial and consulting experience.

Scientific editing and writing; editor and part author of 7 volume work (Water - A Comprehensive Treatise (Plenum Press) 1971-1982.
Author of Polywater: MIT Press, 1991, Biophysics and Biochemistry at Low temperatures (Cambridge University Press) 1985, Water - A Matrix of Life (Royal Society of Chemistry) 2000.

Industrial post-experience training

Organisation of training courses and seminars (Chair of Royal Society of Chemistry Post-experience Training Division and of the Biotechnology Section)

Recent Research

Thermophysical properties of water-sensitive amorphous pharmaceutical materials. Theory and practice of dynamics of materials with low water contents, especially as applied to pharmaceutical formulation and processing.

Phase changes in highly supersaturated aqueous solutions.

Industrial Relevance

Basic to the manufacture and storage of stable biopharmaceuticals.