Purdue handles Penguin Innovations

Purdue University on Tuesday announced the launch of a US-based edtech software spinout called Penguin Innovations to commercialise a virtual training cleanroom for the preparation of pharmaceutical products.
Penguin’s software is a video game-style interactive simulator enabling pharmacists and technicians to practice cleanroom techniques which ensure medications are compounded and contained in a sterile, hygienic manner.
The simulator is divided into a standard cleanroom and a special room for hazardous products, drawing upon accurate pharmaceutical labels and calculations. It aims to provide trainees with on-demand opportunities for practice, guidance and assessment.
Penguin Innovations was founded by Steve Abel, a professor of pharmacy practice in Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy and the university’s associate provost for engagement.
The spinout is currently seeking partnerships with training providers and hospitals among others, in the belief its technology could save up to $18,000 in expenditure for each student preparing a single dose of all products available in the virtual cleanroom.
Abel utilised resources from the university’s Purdue Foundry accelerator to get the business up and running and received technical assistance from undergraduate and graduate students at the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
He said: “At Purdue we are all about taking our knowledge and resources out into the world to improve the quality of life for people near and far.
“This is an extraordinary example of Purdue taking our expertise in pharmacy and turning it into a useful tool to save lives through better medication preparation.”
– Feature image courtesy of Penguin Innovations