Curtis+-+B.R.I.+Response

Before heading out to Bend Research last friday I had no idea that this type of research center existed here in Bend, Oregon. It amazed me, but everything fit just right. The staff was definitely from Bend -- everyone was very friendly and informative during the tours, even the employees who weren't involved with the tour at all. The research center had a nice feel to it as well. It was very home-like, with lots of windows and comphy rooms to hang out in, apart from the lab rooms. This is something one wouldn't expect when thinking of a research center, at least I wouldn't have expected it. The founders did a great job establishing the research center where they did and creating a relaxed yet, professional work atmosphere. I'm sure that sort of design was deliberate! But it seems to work. The whole mood of the place is relaxed and open.

Throughout the tour I was continually being intrigued with new technology and educated on its purpose and how it helps Bend Research complete their mission. Bend Research is a pharmeceutical research center. Drug companies come to them with a pure crytsalline form of thier latest drug and they ask Bend Research to work on it. Bend Research can manipulate the drug with several different techniques in a way that it becomes more absorbable and overall more effective for the patients. Those techniques include: Spray-Dried Dispersions (SDDs), Hot-Melt Extrusion, Solid Nanocrystalline Dispersions (SNCDs), Spray-dried NanoAdsorbate Technology (SDNA), Osmostic Tablet Technology, and Oral Multiparticulate Technology. The last of these, the Oral Multiparticulate Technology struck me the most interesting. Bend Research is able to take a drug, or multiple drugs, and make them into beads, mini-tablets, and microspheres that allow the consumer to take the drugs orally, such as in a drink. This is especially beneficial for patients who have a hard time swallowing pills. With this technology Bend Research can put multiple doses into beads, tablets, or micropheres, as well as change the properties that mask the taste of the drugs. This method of oral intake is predictable, and the drug intake is very consistent with less of chance for unwanted effects that usually come from just swallowing pills. Just reading this paragraph gets me thinking about the mix of technical skill and creativity that is necessary for the success of their business. They have to have new ideas, and pursue them, but they also have to document their results with great care. Ah, science!!

Overall, the tour was excellent. I definitely found a new perspective on what type of work is out there for science majors. This could definitely be an option for me, but I'd probabaly have to stick with Bend Research, due to thier prime location. I'm very proud that we have a research center like this that is creating more efficient, safer, effective drugs for patients. I only hope they are able to patent one of the drugs with some of their breakthrough techniques. From the tour, it looks like they have the right facility, technology, and the intelligence to do so. No matter where you, or any of my other students, ends up in life, I think it's good to know what happens behind the walls of the pharmaceutical industry.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Carol