Speakers
Accelerating the commercialisation of cell therapy: Dr Stephen Ward, COO Cell Therapy Catapult
Stephen was recently appointed as Chief Operating Officer of the Cell Therapy Catapult. He brings over 17 years of ATMP, vaccine and biological medicine experience to the organisation. Stephen enjoys converting early research ideas into regulatory compliant products for patients and has developed and validated scaleable, commercial manufacturing processes using Quality by Design principles. In addition, his recent interests have been in the use of multi-disciplinary commercial/academic programmes (early in the product lifecycle) to predict the effects of manufacturing stress upon cell-based therapies.
Prior to joining the CT Catapult, Stephen worked for Stabilitech, Onyvax and Medeva. Stephen was Development Director at both Onyvax and Stabilitech. At Stabilitech he led the exploitation of the company’s vaccine and biopharmaceutical stabilisation platform, and expanding it into the cell therapy arena. At Onyvax he played a key executive role in the whole-cell cancer vaccine programme and at Medeva he worked on the hepatitis immunotherapy and antigen delivery platform. Prior to this he worked with Prof. Wren at Bart’s Medical School and Prof. Dougan at Imperial College developing novel bacterial vaccines.
Stephen is chair of the BIA’s Manufacturing Advisory Committee, actively promoting and supporting UK bio-manufacturing at Government as well as grass root level. He also sits on various academic Advisory Boards. His first degree was from the University of Birmingham, specialising in Infection and Immunity, and his second degree from the Medical School of Southampton University developing group B meningococcal vaccine candidates.
Adaptimmune
Founded in July 2008, Adaptimmune is focused on the use of T cell therapy to treat cancer and infectious disease. It aims to utilise the body’s own machinery – the T cell – to target and destroy cancerous or infected cells by using engineered, increased affinity T cell receptor proteins (TCRs) as a means of strengthening natural patient T cell responses. Adaptimmune holds an exclusive licence to the use of this unique T cell receptor engineering technology in adoptive T cell therapy from its sister company, Immunocore Ltd. (formerly Avidex/MediGene). In the US, Adaptimmune has an ongoing clinical trial in HIV as well as multiple ongoing oncology trials.
Backed by private investors and located alongside Immunocore Ltd. in its South Oxfordshire facilities, Adaptimmune operates a virtual business model with a small, focused management and scientific team and strong academic collaborations for rapid translation to the clinic. In 2011, Adaptimmune LLC was founded in the US to aid in the management of the clinical programmes.
Akron Molecules
Akron Molecules is a biotech start-up company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases with unmet medical need, with a current focus on chronic pain. Akron Molecules has developed a "drug repurposing" strategy to match newly identified targets with already existing compounds. Akron is currently seeking to raise EUR 10 to 15 million in a series B financing round.
The lead drug candidate, AKR 202, is scheduled to enter a phase II(b) dose-range finding study in pain associated with osteoarthritis in Q3’13, already having obtained a regulatory “thumbs up” from a BfArM scientific advice meeting. Top-line data from the clinical study is expected Q4'14.
AKR 202 is administered once daily orally, and has a favorable safety profile, also when administered over the long term. Efficacy has been shown across a range of different rodent models of pain, with a resulting reduction of pain and inflammation plus potentially disease modifying effects. AKR 202 represents a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of pain, with a potential for first-in-class status.
Alloksys
Alloksys Life Sciences B.V. is an R&D company that applies proprietary IP as well as in-licensed technology from academic, biotech- or pharma for its development and clinical research programs. Alloksys was founded in 2005 and is financed by informal investors so far. It has laboratory and office facilities at the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands). Through the cooperation with the University use of the central animal facilities enables fast track animal safety studies. Our focus on short term is on conditions where acute inflammation is apparent, e.g. subsequent to major surgery. Lead product, alkaline phosphatase, derived from bovine intestinal mucosa (bIAP) is now ongoing in a multicenter phase III clinical trial in patients undergoing invasive cardiovalve surgery.
Long-term focus will be in the field of chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, MS , asthma/COPD and neurodegenerative diseases. Towards this objective, suitable formulations of recombinant hAP are being developed that are planned to go into clinical phase I trial in 2012.
Due to extensive previous experience in both pre-clinical and clinical development programs, early stage product candidates are foreseen to be pursuit rapid and cost-conscious. Besides the use of bIAP in CABG study, phase 2 clinical trials with bIAP have been performed for sepsis/severe sepsis (treatment of acute renal failure), and IBD by AMPharma holding (originally co-founded by Brands in 2002), Alloksys’s licensor of LPS detoxification based AP technology.
Alloksys prepares for other therapeutic applications in the field of prevention of ischemic injury, like solid organ transplant surgery are being prepared.
Almac
Almac Discovery is an independent member of the Almac Group, focussed on the discovery and development of novel and innovative approaches to the treatment of cancer and associated conditions
Since its launch in 2008 Almac Discovery has built a portfolio of therapeutic projects that promise to make a real difference to lives of cancer patients. Although Almac Discovery is a relatively young company, it has already taken programmes through all stages of early drug discovery and development from target finding to Phase I clinical trials. This is reflected in the current pipeline.
A combination of an experienced managent team and state of the art facilities make Almac Discovery ideally placed to make a difference in the oncology space and an ideal partner for the discovery and development of new therapeutics.
Almac Discovery has significant experience in the discovery and development of both small molecules and peptide therapeutics.
APIM Therapeutics
APIM Therapeutics AS is a preclinical biotech company developing novel peptide anti-cancer drugs for various oncology indications. Targeting a novel, stress-induced therapeutic intervention point, the company’s current preclinical lead, ATX-101, sensitizes cancer cells to the action of >15 different chemotherapeutic drugs across multiple indications. The company has achieved proof-of-concept in selected in vivo and ex vivo cancer models of solid tumors (e.g. bladder, prostate) and blood cancer (myeloma, leukemia) in combination with >5 clinical drugs. APIM Therapeutics is venture capital financed. Current investors include Sarsia Seed, Birk Venture, Ro Invest and NIK. The company will be seeking to raise additional funding in 2013 in order to drive continuous development of ATX-101 to phase I clinical trial entry within a period of 18 months.
Arecor
Arecor has developed Arestat™, a formulation technology, which enables the formulation of labile proteins and vaccines as stable aqueous formulations even at high concentrations or in the presence of ionising radiation.
Atlas Genetics
Atlas is an innovative UK-based diagnostics company providing in vitro Point-of-Care (POC) testing. Our focus is on diseases such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), neonatal sepsis and hospital acquired infections, particularly MRSA, where rapid diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and control.
We have developed an ultra-rapid diagnostic platform, a multi-assay system that uses disposable cartridges in conjunction with a small, low cost instrument. This makes it particularly suitable for a wide range of POC settings including doctor’s office, community clinics and specialist primary care clinics.
Our aim is to revolutionise patient testing by providing a pioneering, flexible instrument and disposable cartridge system capable of performing nucleic acid, immunoassay and clinical chemistry diagnostics using the same technology platform. By moving diagnostics to POC, Atlas’ platform can reduce the time between obtaining a patient sample to treatment from up to 10 days to under 30 minutes.
AvantiCell Science
AvantiCell Science Ltd provides advanced cell culture technology based on diseased and/or healthy primary cells to provide clients with physiologically-relevant human and animal cells that ensure data generated is truly predictive of the efficacy and safety of test materials. Primary cells are supplied for the evaluation of a wide range of test materials, including pharmaceuticals, traditional medicines, natural products, biomaterials, veterinary drugs, and agri-bio products. The quality and nature of the cells can save our clients significant time and money in subsequent animal testing and clinical trials since they are a better representation of animal models than established cell lines. Avanticell Science Ltd delivers its technology as a mix of services and products customized for the convenience of its clients. Culture systems can be developed for screening programmes aimed at the evaluation of bioactivity and mode of action in test materials ranging from botanical extracts to single chemical entities. Alternatively, primary cell cultures can be provided in a form convenient to the client, including being pre-dispensed into 96-well plates. This unique service allows clients the certainty of cell supply without establishing in-house cell culture expertise and can be extended to complete assay kits.
Avexxin
Avexxin's therapeutic approach is built on more than a decade of research into the biological mechanisms involved in inflammatory diseases at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Avexxin’s goal is to create a therapeutic company based on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics that address the fundamental mechanisms involved in inflammatory diseases.
BerGen Bio
BerGenBio is a clinical stage Biotech company developing novel targets, biomarkers and therapeutics for aggressive cancers. The Company is focused on the tumour microenvironment, the formation of `cancer stem cells` through EMT and the reversal of drug resistance. Built on a powerful discovery platform, CellSelect, and its fully integrated in vitro & in vivo R&D infrastructure , BerGenBio identifies and validates novel targets, biomarkers and develops first-in-class drugs against these targets. BerGenBio is developing a pipeline of first in class EMT / CSC inhibitors, its lead program, BGB324 is a highly selective, oral AXL kinase inhibitor, it will entering Phase I in H1/2013. BerGenBio will develop its programs to clinical proof of concept and then seek partners to develop them to market, BGB324 will be available for partnering early 2014.
Beta-Cell
Beta-Cell is a privately owned biopharmaceutical company that develops novel cell therapies and other products related to Diabetes. Beta-Cell’s lead product, BetaGraft®1.0, is a novel cell replacement therapy for type I diabetic patients that are not adequately managed using current treatment options.
BioMoti
BioMoti seeks to transform the treatment of cancer by targeted delivery of therapeutics to the intracellular space of cancer cells. Oncojans™ are a new class of advanced therapeutic microparticles that can target and gain entry to the interior of cancer cells where they slowly release drugs at the point of need whilst sparing healthy tissue. This has the potential to transform the clinical treatment of cancer by dramatically increasing the efficacy of cytotoxics or new chemical entities whilst reducing their devastating side effects. Early preclinical studies of a lead ovarian cancer candidate compared to the current clinical standard of care have shown remarkably good results including 65-fold reductions in tumour burden, doubling of median survival and decreases in toxicity at healthy tissues.
BioMoti seeks co-development of internal programs and offers to work with cancer drug developers on the targeted delivery of their proprietary compounds:
· BioMoti technology offers the opportunity to improve therapeutic index, deliver poorly bioavailable or insoluble drugs and those targeting new intracellular mechanisms or contributing to the improvement and patent extension of marketed drugs.
· BioMoti is looking for drug development partners to co-develop/out-license new formulations based on the oncojan™ technology
Biotec Pharmacon
Biotec Pharmacon develops, manufactures and markets immune modulating compounds for the human health sectors and marine enzymes used in molecular biology. The company is spearheading research on products that may prevent or treat diseases caused by failure, imbalance and over-reaction of the immune system.
The company has invested heavily in R&D and generated a portfolio of patents covering unique marine gene products for the molecular biology sector, and products with potentials within the pharmaceutical sector, such as beta-1,3/1,6-glucan formulations. The company has a strong foundation in basic research in both this and the recombinant technology sectors.
BI’s culture of engaging with companies as a basis for successful business development strategy: Dr Klaus Mendla, Boehringer Ingelheim
.
Bone Therapeutics
Headquartered at the Biopôle of Gosselies (South of Brussels, Belgium), Bone Therapeutics is a leading international biotechnology company specialized in the treatment of osteo-articular diseases using cell therapy. With its proprietary cell technology platform, the Company is developing innovative cell products for the repair and regeneration of bone and joint tissues.
The Company’s leading position in skeletal tissue reparation is supported by an outstanding knowledge of the bone physiology and pathophysiology, the pioneering works of its founders in stem cell transplantation in humans and a long-standing expertise in cell therapy clinical trials and regulatory affairs.
Conformetrix
Conformetrix brings a new dimension to drug discovery. Using its unique NMR-based technique to determine 3D molecular structures with high accuracy, Conformetrix is focused on optimising the design and development of medicines and helping the pharmaceutical sector to generate better, safer products.
Conformetrix is able to determine the bioactive 3D structures of a variety of biologically important molecules, including drugs, naturally occurring ligands and enzyme co-factors, and does this independently of traditional methods such as computational modelling and X-ray crystallography.
Conformetrix is using its technology to develop a pipeline of proprietary drugs against therapeutically important targets and is partnering with the pharmaceutical industry in the implementation of its technology across the drug discovery process.
Critical Pharmaceuticals
Critical Pharmaceuticals is a Nottingham UK-based biotechnology company developing a pipeline of unique biological drug products utilising it proprietary drug delivery technologies. Critical Pharmaceuticals lead product, CP024, is a nasal formulation of human growth hormone that has significant advantages over existing daily injectable products and has shown equivalent bioactivity to a subcutaneous injection of marketed product in an ongoing Phase 1 clinical program. In addition, Critical Pharmaceuticals partners its drug delivery technology with other biopharmaceutical companies to develop long acting injectable products and nasal delivery of poorly absorbed drugs. The technologies have been proven in clinical and preclinical proof of concept studies, further validated in numerous revenue-generating collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies and funding from the Wellcome Trust to further develop its lead product. For more information please see our website http://www.criticalpharmaceuticals.com
Cyclacel
Cyclacel is a biopharmaceutical company developing oral therapies that target the various phases of cell cycle control for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. The Company's most advanced oral product candidate, sapacitabine, is the subject of SEAMLESS, a Phase 3 trial being conducted under an SPA with the FDA as front-line treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the elderly and Phase 2 studies for AML, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and solid tumors including breast, lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancer. Cyclacel's pipeline includes seliciclib, a CDK inhibitor, in Phase 2 for lung and nasopharyngeal cancer and in Phase 1 in combination with sapacitabine; and CYC065, a second generation CDK inhibitor, in IND-directed development. Cyclacel's strategy is to build a diversified biopharmaceutical business focused in hematology and oncology based on a development pipeline of novel drug candidates. Please visit www.cyclacel.com for additional information.
CYP Design
CYP Design Ltd. (CDL) is a recently formed life sciences products and services company, exploiting the technology of its founder, Professor Bob Chaudhuri of De Montfort University, Leicester. CDL has developed a process for stabilising fully-active human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) so that they can be distributed and stored at room temperature, avoiding the inconvenience and expense associated with providing a cold chain. CDL’s enzymes show similar substrate and inhibition profiles to those available from other suppliers, but without the hassle of -80oC storage. The enzymes can be provided in a number of formats, including vials and microtitre plates, to allow incorporation into customers’ existing processes. CDL’s products will expand the scope of metabolism and toxicity testing in early stage drug discovery, allowing more hits to be assessed, and stimulating the speed and reliability of decision-making for drug candidate selection. The products will also be useful in incorporating metabolic information into automated lead optimisation work-flows. CDL intends to further develop its technology to provide robust systems which will provide the same functionality as human liver microsomes. With one third of failures in clinical trials still due to safety and toxicity concerns, CDL is providing new tools that will assist the industry to reduce costs, whilst providing more therapeutics to patients.
Cytune Pharma
Cytune Pharma SAS is a privately held preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on Research and Development of New Therapies for Immune Modulation. These drugs aim at reconstituting and enhancing the immune system of patients suffering from cancer, chronic viral or bacterial infections such as HIV and HCV, or lympho-depleting treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).
The company's lead compound, an improved version of human Interleukin-15 (CYP0150), is a critical growth factor for immune T and NK cell recovery and enhancement. Current preclinical studies suggest the superior therapeutic index of CYP0150 to Interleukin-15 and/or Interleukin-2. Two drug discovery engines have been established to conceive and develop 1) improved version of mAbs: Immunocytokines (antibody-cytokine fusion proteins) and 2) Therapeutic vaccines with powerful T-cell vaccine adjuvant.
Feel free to contact us to discuss business and R&D opportunities as coporate or academic partner.
The company operates from its headquarters in Nantes (France , Atlantic coast) and is an active member of the Pole of Competitiveness, Atlantic Biotherapies.
DefiniGEN
Definigen provides human liver cells for preclinical drug development and disease modelling applications using human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell hIPSC technology.
Definigen provides human cells to the drug discovery sector for use in lead optimization and toxicity programmes. The Company’s proprietary production platform OptiDIFF robustly generates human cell types including liver hepatocytes using hIPSC human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell technology.
Definigen has utilised the OptiDIFF platform to produce validated libraries of disease modelled human liver cells for a range of Inherited Metabolic Diseases (IMDs). The phenotype and pathology of the diseases has been confirmed in the cells and the resulting products are available for utilisation in drug discovery lead optimization studies.
Diabetology
|
Diabetology is a specialty biopharmaceutical company employing a proprietary oral delivery system to administer known bioactives as well as novel compounds for the comprehensive management of diabetes. Our philosophy is to form collaborations & partnerships to further key projects, and to outsource many non-core activities. Thus we are able to keep overheads low, conserving shareholders' resources. Diabetology is a privately owned and funded company. |
Elasmogen
Elasmogen is a new (2013) pre-incorporation, spin-out from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and is part of the Scottish Biologics Facility. Elasmogen is an antibody drug discovery company based on a unique, shark single-domain antibody (VNAR) platform and is exploiting the power of proteins as drugs, but in simpler and more cost effective formats. VNARs are the smallest binding sites so far identified in the animal kingdom (20-30% smaller than competing technologies) and provide a simple protein scaffold from which novel drugs can be generated. VNARs allow better penetration of tumours, cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), allow for simple modular formatting, express well in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems and their small size minimises the risk of immunogenicity. VNAR antibody generation via immunisation (ELSI TM) and via synthetic antibody library (ELSS TM) platforms is protected by patent filings with grants in Europe. The company’s pipeline includes bio-tools for half-life extension and crossing of the BBB and also oncology and inflammation programmes tailor-made for Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) applications. Later stage products have completed in vivo efficacy studies and are progressing towards the clinic. The Elasmogen team is headed up by ex- Pfizer industry professionals, and has already raised significant “investor-ready” cash ($3 M). Elasmogen is currently seeking partners for its half-life extension technology and partners/collaborators for its single-domain antibody drug platforms for lead antibody generation or ADC applications.
Epistem
Epistem is a biotechnology company with specialist understanding of epithelial tissue and stem cell analyses, operating three distinct business divisions. The Contract Research Division delivers innovative preclinical research services in oncology, mucositis, inflammatory bowel disease, wound healing and skincare. Working with over 150 pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and personal care companies worldwide, it offers proprietary assays for target validation, screening, efficacy, and translational biology. The Personalised Medicine Division facilitates a more tailored approach to patient treatment and care. It applies innovative gene expression technology to discovering novel drug-induced biomarkers to GCLP standard and has recently launched this technology in kit form as RNA-Amp®. It has also developed Genedrive™, a ‘point of care’ molecular diagnostic device providing ‘near patient’ diagnosis in less than 30 minutes using hand-held apparatus. Our Novel Therapies Division is identifying key regulators (proteins and peptides) of epithelial stem cells with the aim of developing therapeutics to control cell production.
Global Acorn
GlobalAcorn discovers and develops advanced therapeutics that address unmet medical needs in the chronic diseases Pain, Diabetes, Cancer, Malaria, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis.
We address novel disease targets for tomorrow’s pipeline of pharmaceutical products by bringing together the therapeutic power of biopharmaceutical agents and leading edge nanotechnologies. Effective development strategies optimise our abilities to deliver on our products to point of sale.
GlobalAcorn has significant expertise to offer services to third party organisations in the translation of research into product development and onward commercialisation. Areas of expertise include chemical biology, nanotechnology, preclinical toxicology, pharmacology, clinical development and regulatory strategies.
Interested parties in our services, should provide a non-confidential research summary and indication of expectations. Initial contact can be made through: info@globalacorn.com.
Glycotope
GLYCOTOPE GmbH is a German biotech company founded in 2001 with new technologies and 4 phase I/II products. Today the company has more than 150 employees at two sites in Berlin and Heidelberg and a total investment of €125m. First product comes out of a technology developing new antibodies against glyco-targets (GlycoBodies). With GlycoExpress, we own a novel and regulatory approved system based on human cell lines that confers a fully human and, if desired, an optimized glycosylation, leading to higher activity, prolonged half life time and reduced immunogenicity. Using this technology, GLYCOTOPE develops NBEs and second generation antibodies and other non-antibody proteins, such as GT-MAB 2.5-GEX, a monoclonal antibody (GlycoBody) that recognizes a combination of its target protein backbone as well as the attached glycosylation, leading to extremely specific target recognition combined with a high binding affinity. PankoMab is scheduled to proceed to phase II in ovarial cancer in Q2/2013.
In addition, two second generation antibodies are exhibiting superior features as compared to their originals: the 2 most advanced, CetuGEX, a 2nd generation Cetuximab and TrasGEX, an improved Trastuzumab will enter phase II in Q3/2013. FSH-GEX finished Phase II in Q3/2013 and will start Phase III in Q1 2014.
Heptares Therapeutics
Heptares Therapeutics is a drug discovery company focused on novel small-molecule drugs targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of druggable targets. The Company has developed a unique, transformational and proprietary technology for making purified, stabilised and functional GPCRs (known as StaRs™, Stabilised Receptors), overcoming a major limiting factor to the development of new drugs targeting this group. Heptares’ StaR platform is based on world-class science from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, UK) and enables the Company to engineer and purify GPCRs in stable and functional conformations that retain their drug-binding characteristics. For the first time, contemporary drug discovery approaches, such as crystallisation and structure-based design, biophysical analysis of ligand interactions and fragment screening can now be applied to GPCRs. This unique approach is expected to radically improve the chances of finding drugs to previously intractable targets and progression of first in class and best in class NCEs. The platform is also highly enabling for antibody generation to GPCR targets. The Company’s most advanced project is targeted against the adenosine A2a receptor for Parkinson’s Disease and is currently at Pre-Clinical Candidate stage The Company is seeking an exclusive licensing partner for the A2a program and a partner for a broad multi-target drug discovery alliance offering access to the Company’s entire GCPR discovery platform. Heptares was founded in 2007 and is based at the BioPark, Welwyn Garden City, UK.
Horizon Discovery
Horizon is a UK biotechnology company that combines a long scientific heritage in translational research with a world-leading gene editing platform based upon homologous recombination. The Company is a trusted supplier of genetically-defined cell lines, reporter gene assay kits, genomic reference standards and contract research services to organizations engaged in bio-pharmaceutical process optimization, drug discovery & development, and clinical diagnostic development. Horizon aspires to provide science-driven research solutions that lead to the advancement in the understanding of the genetic basis of disease and the delivery of better healthcare outcomes for patients.
Imanova
Imanova Limited - a centre of excellence in imaging sciences
Imanova is an innovative alliance between the UK's Medical Research Council and three world-class London Universities: Imperial College, Kings College and University College.
Established in April 2011 as an independent company, Imanova and its partners bring together a breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise that will drive research and innovation in imaging sciences. Imanova will have a real impact on human health and the understanding of disease.
immatics
immatics’ goal is to deliver a step-change in the treatment of cancer patients, allowing them to live longer with their cancer while maintaining their quality of life. Our products, therapeutic cancer vaccines, are designed to redirect the immune system so that it recognises and controls tumours. We use a unique and rational approach to develop our products, which contain relevant cancer antigens known to be naturally expressed in primary cancer tissue. We are confident that our vaccines will improve the treatment of a broad range of cancer types. In clinical trials our lead vaccines have already shown a promising trend of extending the survival times of cancer patients. IMA901, our most advanced product for renal cancer, is in the final stage of development, a phase 3 trial.
Immunocore
Immunocore is a privately-owned biotechnology company, developing novel drugs to treat cancer and viral disease. Immunocore’s competitive advantage is its ability to engineer high affinity T Cell Receptors and link them to an antibody fragment, anti-CD3, which can activate the immune system to kill the targeted cancer or viral cells. These bi-functional molecules, called ImmTACs, have the potential to be very potent anti-cancer or anti-viral agents. T Cell Receptors, unlike monoclonal antibodies, are not restricted to targeting cells via their membrane proteins so this platform unlocks the potential of many well-validated, clean targets. Immunocore’s first product candidate, IMCgp100, entered clinical trials for melanoma in the UK and USA in 2010.
ImmuPharma
ImmuPharma PLC is a pharmaceutical company listed since 2006 on AIM of the London Stock Exchange (LSE:IMM), focusing on developing novel medicines with high sales potential in specialist markets with serious unmet need. ImmuPharma has five drug candidates in development, two platform technologies and approximately 70 patents. The company’s most advanced drug candidate recently received the approval from the US FDA to enter phase III with a Special Protocol Assessment and “Fast Track” designation. ImmuPharma is led by a commercially focused Board and management team with extensive experience.
InGell Labs BV
InGell Labs BV (Groningen, the Netherlands) develops drug delivery products for controlled drug release. The company owns and develops a range of injectable gels (InGell®) based on biodegradable and safe-to-use polymers.
The different InGell-product platforms are customized for our clients to contain and release drugs and other therapeutic actives, such as synthetics, biologicals, cells or genetic compounds.
InGell®-products are water-borne, biodegradable polymers that are formulated with the client's compound of choice.
Upon injection into soft tissues, the polymers rapidly form soft macrosphere gels which physically entrap the actives.
Thin needles (27G+) and catheters can deliver the low viscous liquids in many different locations such as eyes, brain, joints, muscle and in other organs.
Investing in Biotech: Dr Kevin Johnson, Partner, Index Ventures: Dr Robert James, Partner, Sixth Element Capital: Dr Debbie Harland, Partner, SR One : Dr Kate Bingham SV Life Sciences : Dr Patrick Verheyen, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, London.
The panel will be discussing some of the main topics in biotech investment today and the session will be opened to delegates for questions and discussion.
Dr Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson is a Partner at Index Ventures working out of the London office.
Prior to that he was CEO of PanGenetics, an antibody development company based in the Netherlands, and one of the Index Ventures portfolio.
Kevin was one of the team at Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT), heading up research from 1994 onwards. In 1997 he was appointed to the Board, where he held the posts of Research Director and Chief Technology Officer.
Kevin led both the development of CAT's platform technologies, and also their application to the discovery of a number of human antibodies currently in clinical development. Two of these are now marketed, Humira (Abbott Pharmaceutical) and Benlysta (HGS, GSK). He was also part of the management team that floated CAT on the London Stock Exchange (main market).
Kevin graduated in Molecular Biology from Edinburgh University and has a PhD in Pathology from Cambridge University.
Dr Robert James
Rob has been involved in the exploitation of early stage intellectual property for 20 years since he completed his PhD in Biochemistry in 1990. Rob worked for Cancer Research Campaign Technology for seven years before moving to Prelude Ventures, one of Europe’s oldest early stage venture capital investors. He was a Founding Partner of DFJ Esprit. Rob has been involved in many technologies and businesses which in aggregate have raised well over £100m in venture financing. Notable achievements have been: involvement in licensing Temodal to Schering Plough prior to it becoming a billion dollar cancer drug, financing a new method to purify DNA and RNA called Charge Switch Technology, which is now globally available via Life Technologies and financing the global launch of a new diagnostic product for latent TB via Oxford Immunotec. Rob founded Sixth Element Capital (6EC) with his partners Ian Miscampbell and Ralph Villiger as a Fund Manager designed to find innovative ways to invest in biotechnology. The CRT Pioneer Fund is 6EC’s first fund.
Dr Debbie Harland
Deborah joined SR One in 2005 to establish the firm’s European investment office. She brings to SR One extensive operational, drug development and licensing experience gained through numerous roles held in clinical development, medical affairs and business development during her more than 20 year tenure in the pharmaceutical industry. Deborah is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Mission Therapeutics Limited, Protaffin AG, Bicycle Therapeutics Limited, Syntaxin Limited, and f-star GmbH. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors of Addex Pharmaceuticals (IPO, SIX Swiss Exchange, 2007) and Pharmakodex Limited (sold to Orexo) and an observer on the Boards of Ablynx (IPO, Euronext Brussels 2007) and 7TM Pharma. Deborah received her BSc. (Hons.) in Pharmacology from the University of Bath, her PhD in Pharmacology from the University of London, and her MBA from Henley Management College.
Dr Kate Bingham
Kate Bingham joined SVLS in 1991. Kate currently serves or has served on the boards of companies in the UK, US, Ireland, Sweden and Germany. She has been responsible for past investments in Alantos, Auxilium, ESBATech, EUSA, Hexagen, Kinetix, KuDOS, Leukosite, Mednova, Micromet, PowderMed, RespiVert and current investments including Autifony, Bicycle, Convergence and TopiVert.
Prior Experience:
Prior to joining SVLS, Kate worked in business development for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company in Cambridge, MA and at Monitor Company, a strategy consulting firm.
Qualifications:
Kate has a first class degree in Biochemistry from Oxford University and graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA.
Patrick Verheyen
Patrick is Head of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Center in London - a new organization dedicated to identifying, fostering and on-boarding early-stage science, technology and products to Johnson & Johnson businesses in the Pharmaceutical, Consumer and MD&D sectors.
Patrick was most recently Vice President, New Ventures within Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. In this role, he led a nimble and diverse team that facilitated divestitures, established strategic collaborations and identified investments that provided Janssen with access to external innovation and early product flow. Prior to that, Patrick was Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions within the Pharmaceuticals Group. In this role, Patrick facilitated strategic collaborations and acquisitions including Crucell, Elan and Cougar Biotechnology, and established a spin-out company, Movetis, based on Johnson & Johnson's gastrointestinal pipeline portfolio. Patrick has provided expertise on most of the major M&A deals in the biotech, specialty pharmaceutical and large cap space, and assessed various risk sharing and funding arrangements with Clinical Research Organizations (CROs), private equity and government institutions.
Patrick joined Johnson & Johnson in 1985 at Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. in Beerse, Belgium. In 1996, he relocated to the USA as Director, Business Development, Pharmaceuticals Group, and in 1997, was promoted to Vice President, Corporate Development, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical. He studied bio-engineering at the University of Leuven, Belgium.
Lein Applied Diagnostics
Lein Applied Diagnostics’ innovative technology enables non-invasive measurement of many organic and medical device materials. Lein is developing products in the following areas:
a) The non-invasive measurement of glucose levels for people with diabetes
b) The non-contacting measurement of drug diffusion in the body for the pharmaceutical industry
c) The measurement of physical parameters for the broader healthcare market.
Although Lein has concentrated the majority of its development in diabetes care, its first commercial successes have been in the direct measurement of physical dimensions in areas such as optometry, medical device manufacture and tissue engineering.
By exploiting its versatile platform technology with a balanced range of both industrial and healthcare customers, Lein will soon be at the point where it is not only profitable but will also enjoy the significant upside potential of its blockbuster products in diabetes care in pharmacokinetics.
Mabimmune
Mabimmune aims to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke through early diagnosis and targeted treatment.
The Product – Mabimmune’s InfarctPrevent package consists of PlaqueVision – a PET imaging agent for locating unstable atherosclerotic plaques and FlowMab - an antibody-based therapeutic for stabilizing life-threatening plaques to prevent infarction.
Merus
Merus discovers and develops innovative therapeutic human antibodies with improved clinical efficacy based on its single light chain (sLC) antibody technologies
Single light chain (sLC) antibodies share a common immunoglobulin light chain while retaining the exquisite specificity and high affinity of antibodies with diversified light chains. Multiple sLC human antibodies against different epitopes/targets are efficiently co-expressed in a single manufacturing cell to generate novel antibody formats like full length IgG bispecific antibodies (COBRA ™) and mixtures of IgG antibodies (HYDRA™). By combining multiple mechanisms of action, these formats provide the basis for enhanced disease-modifying targeted therapies.
Based on these technologies Merus is building a pipeline of innovative therapeutic antibodies with improved clinical efficacy in multiple therapeutic areas.
MiNa Therapeutics
MiNa Therapeutics is a UK based clinical stage biotechnology company, discovering and developing novel therapeutics by selectively up-regulating the expression of genes (RNA activation). MiNa is a lean R&D focussed company, enabling low cost drug discovery and clinical validation through a multi-disciplinary collaboration of 18 scientists and clinicians worldwide.
MTL001 is a short activating RNA (saRNA) therapeutic, currently in Phase 1 development, targeting activation of CEBPA for improved liver function in liver cancer. We were the first to demonstrate that intravenous injection of CEBPA saRNA in a liver cirrhotic rat model with multifocal liver tumours reduced tumour burden whilst ameliorating liver function. The animal model demonstrated an increase in serum albumin of up to 200% and a significant reduction in tumour burden.
Preclinical work has indicated MTL001’s potential as a universal anti-cancer therapeutic for tumours overexpressing the MyC oncogene (eg in the prostate, pacreas, leukaemia, lymphoma and glioblastoma).
MTL011 is an saRNA therapeutic targeting activation of MAFA for improved regulated insulin secretion in cases of diabetes. In preclinical studies, MTL011 increased three fold regulated insulin secretion in liver cells, importantly, dependent on glucose concentration gradient.
MS Therapeutics
MS Therapeutics is a specialty pharma company engaged in the development and commercialisation of therapeutic agents for people with MS.
MS Therapeutics is focused on developing and commercializing both disease-modifying drugs and therapies to treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and related disorders. The MS market is currently served by six anti-inflammatory drugs (3 of which are b-interferons) but they are all only partially effective in the relapsing-remitting phase of the disease. MS Therapeutics is progressing useful enhancements and innovative improvements to therapeutic regimens which have some existing familiarity and understanding amongst regulators, patients and prescribers.
Numab
Numab is a Swiss biotech company that discovers and develops innovative antibody-based therapeutics.
Numab is pursuing two proprietary antibody programs to develop first-in-class therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and severe pain, respectively.
Numab has an ongoing multi-target collaboration with Sucampo AG, under which Numab discovers novel antibody-based development leads. The first lead molecule under this collaboration has been identified only one year after initiation of the project.
Numab’s technology has been designed to gain maximal flexibility in antibody-based drug design. This is achieved by engineering highly potent and drug-like antibody variable domains that allow for modular assembly of molecules having the desired pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. These may be mono- or bispecific molecules of low (26-50 kDa) or high (150-200 kDa) molecular weight, depending on the targeted product profile.
Numab is led by a Management with proven track record in the biotech industry (4 out of 5 Management members have been long lasting employees in key positions at ESBATech).
Octoplus
OctoPlus is a specialty pharmaceutical company that is globally renowned as a centre of excellence in formulation development, drug delivery and manufacturing. Our expertise is focused on formulation of biotech-derived compounds and small chemical molecules for injectable administration. In addition, we offer our clients access to our drug delivery technologies for the development of controlled release formulations of injectable compounds.
Omnicyte
OmniCyte Ltd is a British-based biotechnology company specialising in extracting the therapeutic potential and benefits of stem cell technologies.
We aim to deliver reagents for the treatment of a range of debilitating conditions in humans, including Parkinson's disease, stroke, cirrhosis, diabetes and ischaemic heart disease. This will be achieved using proprietary knowledge and methods that all include re-infusion of autologous cells.
Opsona Therapeutics
Opsona Therapeutics is a leading clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancers.
Our drug discovery and development is focused on the role of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and Inflammasome signalling in human immunology.
Since 2004, Opsona has developed a unique and advanced pipeline of drugs at our research locations in Dublin, Ireland.
Opsona's lead product, a fully human monoclonal IgG4 antibody (OPN-305) targeting Toll-like-receptor-2 (TLR2) has demonstrated activity in a number of animal models and was tested successfully in a phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers and has recently entered into a phase 2 clinical study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of OPN 305 in renal transplant patients at high risk of Delayed Graft Function(DGF) as the first clinical target indication for the development of OPN-305.
OrgaNext Research
OrgaNext Research is a Dutch Biopharmaceutical company focusing on Regenerative Medicine. The company is developing ‘Recovery Boosters’ with a dual mode of action: the activation of endogenous stem cells as the primary mechanism for regeneration and increase of muscle mass to regain physical strength and functionality as secondary mechanism for regeneration. OrgaNext is addressing a market with high unmet medical needs and significant growth potential. The lead project NDD is in clinical phase 2A with first-in-class potential and is expected to lower the costs of care. www.organext.com
OxThera
OxThera AB is a Swedish biopharmaceutical company developing drugs against hyperoxaluria. Hyperoxaluria is one leading risk factor for recurrent kidney stone disease. In patients with a primary form (endogenous oxalate overproduction), severe
hyperoxaluria leads to frequent kidney stones and may eventually lead to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
PH is a rare autosomal recessive inborn error of the metabolism, with an incidence rate of 0.1-0.2 per million. PH is characterized by severe hyperoxaluria present from birth. Patients experience frequent kidney stones, calcification of the kidneys and impaired renal function, which eventually may lead to systemic deposition of calciumoxalate crystals and premature death. There is currently no approved pharmaceutical therapy for PH. The only curative therapy in patients who have reached ESRD is a combined kidney and liver transplantation.
OxThera AB is developing Oxabact®, (capsules containing Oxalobacter formigenes) as a chronic treatment for PH. Phase I/II studies evaluating an initial drug product
showed a significant and clinically relevant reduction in urinary oxalate
excretion in subjects with PH. There are also case reports supporting clinical benefit in patients with ESRD. During 2013, OxThera will conduct further studies to confirm the efficacy of Oxalobacter formigenes administration.
Pathology Diagnostics
Pathology Diagnostics Ltd. is an award-winning GCLP-accredited research organization in Cambridge UK providing tissue biomarker analysis and other tissue diagnostic services for UK and international clients engaged in early discovery target validation studies; preclinical studies and Phase I-III clinical trials; and companion diagnostic development.
We work with industry R&D companies and healthcare providers to provide protein biomarker IHC assay analytical validation; clinical validation and evaluation of tissue samples; quantitative analysis of tissue protein (biomarkers) using computerized digital pathology and image analysis techniques. Over the last few years, we have performed tissue biomarker and other diagnostics analyses on over 130 biomarkers in approximately 40,000 patient samples per year in a wide variety of disease areas, mainly oncology but also cardiovascular, metabolic and bone medicine.
Our team of expert medical/veterinary pathologists and trained scientists/technicians with over 120 years' combined experience of medical diagnostics and scientific research provides a unique breadth of scientific and medical consulting/diagnostics expertise. We pride ourselves in understanding your project needs and providing advice and accurate consistent reliable results on time, every time enabling you to make informed data-driven decisions on the likely success of your companion diagnostic programmes.
For further information please visit www.pathologydiagnostics.com
PCI Biotech
PCI Biotech is an oncology-focused company developing products for localised cancer treatment. The products are based on PCI Biotech’s patented drug-delivery technology, photochemical internalization (PCI), which can enhance the effect of anticancer drugs by targeted, light-directed drug delivery into cancer cells. PCI Biotech's lead candidate is the photosensitizer Amphinex® developed for treatment of head & neck cancer and bile duct cancer. A second priority is to develop PCI for vaccination.
Pharmidex
Headquartered in London, Pharmidex is a unique solution provider in CNS drug discovery and development, and a world leader in assessment of brain Penetrability and distribution of CNS therapeutics. With its specialist expertise NeuroPK® (drug ) and NeuroPD ® (effect ) data Pharmidex provides key information and knowledge on the critical path for the discovery and development of CNS drugs. In collaboration with Genzyme Pharmaceuticals, we also offer CERENSE℠ - a breakthrough in the delivery and assessment of new CNS medicines. CERENSE℠ can help realise the full value of all potential CNS medicines whose utility is constrained by poor BBB permeation. We are seeking win-win collaborations with drug discovery companies worldwide. Pharmidex also provides an extensive range of ADMET and safety technologies aimed at optimising potential new medicines for drug development risks using both pre-clinical and human prediction data. Pharmidex management Team have a wider range of drug discovery and development experience gained from blue chip pharma and biotech industry, and covering a broad range of therapeutic areas e.g. CNS, CV, respiratory, inflammation, oncology. This in-depth knowledge of leading research programmes within drug discovery allows us to optimise your strategies and work flows which focus on key data, decision points and milestones in the drug discovery and development paradigm. Ultimately we can help you streamline and improve the cost-effectiveness of your research programmes allowing more rapid identification and selection of the most drug-like and developable molecules
Phico Therapeutics
Phico Therapeutics is developing a unique antibiotic technology to address one the most urgent challenges facing medicine today – how to destroy multi-drug resistant bacteria, the so-called “superbugs”.
Phico’s patented platform utilises an antibacterial protein, SASP, to inactivate bacterial DNA and cause rapid destruction of target bacteria.
Known as SASPject™, the technology can be targeted to any selected bacteria with potential for administration as a topical nasal, oral or intravenous treatment. SASPject™ is a new class of antibiotic which could provide many advantages over conventional antibiotic classes.
PhotoBiotics
PhotoBiotics Ltd www.photobiotics.com is a multidisciplinary company spun out from Imperial College London to explore ways of targeting drugs directly to tumours, thus enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatment while also reducing deleterious side-effects. The Company has developed a unique and simple antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology platform, denoted OptiLink, which enables the multiple attachment of drugs to antibody fragments. Counter-intuitively, OptiLink allows higher drug loadings on antibody fragments than normally achieved with whole monoclonal antibodies. The PhotoBiotics' R&D team has already succeeded in its initial objective of targeting photosensitiser-based drugs to tumours, generating compelling efficacy data in various orthotopic and xenograft models, and has a product ready to enter preclinical toxicology/clinical development. The Company has raised new funds is now starting a 2-year program exemplifying how Optilink has utility across a wide range of other ADC applications.
Polytherics
PolyTherics is a biotechnology company that has integrated extensive knowledge in polymer chemistry with biology to develop a wide range of protein and peptide based biopharmaceutical drugs The main technologies developed by PolyTherics are focussed on improving the half-life profile of proteins and peptides through site-specific PEGylation.We are looking for partnerships with: • Companies who want to utilise our technologies to improve half life profile of their protein and peptides • Companies who would like to in-license our growing portfolio of PEGylated therapeutic proteins
ProQR Therapeutics
ProQR is a pre-clinical stage biotech company headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands. The company develops disease modifying therapies based on its proprietary RNA correcting technology. ProQR’s leadprogram targets the ∆F508 mutation that is affecting 90% of the 70.000 Cystic Fibrosis patients. Cystic Fibrosis is a fatal disease with a high unmet medical need. ProQR’s CF program is pointed towards a first clinical trial scheduled to start in late 2014. ProQR was founded in 2012 by Daniel de Boer and Gerard Platenburg, the company is backed by a strategy board containing elite biotech entrepreneurs Henri Termeer and Dinko Valerio.
Prosonix
Prosonix' drug development is based on a novel ultrasonic particle engineering approach. Its proprietary technology enables Prosonix to develop excipient-free, drug-only inhalable drug particles that are specifically designed to optimally target the site of action in the lung, precisely and consistently, delivering maximum clinical effect.
With sophisticated control of particle size, shape and form, Prosonix can deliver therapeutically equivalent versions of currently marketed medicines, as well as 'best-in-class' mono and combination drug therapies. With proven delivery across a range of both simple and cost-effective devices, Prosonix formulations offer more accurate through life dosing and reduced variability, targeted drug delivery, and maximum potential for synergistic action, all with enhanced product stability.
reViral
reViral is a new investment opportunity with a realistic potential to achieve a high value exit for investors in a 3 to 5 year time frame, using a differentiated approach to drug discovery and development.
In the first year, the company will be developing a clinical candidate for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Fusion. The Company has a focused library of compounds already synthesized in the RSV fusion program, which are highly potent with good drug-like characteristics and oral bioavailability. Based on this work, reViral has filed its first composition of matter patent for RSV inhibitors, with all work funded and the company wholly owned by the founders.
Richard Hayhurst
Saturn BioSciences
We are a private, semi-virtual UK company developing our novel tumour targeting compound aimed at treating one of the deadliest forms of cancer there is - Malignant Melanoma. Our lead compound also has the potential to become a pan cancer treatment, since the target is present on many forms of solid tumour and also lymphoma.
Malignant Melanoma has an incidence rate in the Western white population of approximately 1 in 6,000 growing to as high as 1 in 3,000 in Australia and New Zealand almost double what it was 10 years ago. With an incidence rate this high and growing, it is easy to see how Malignant Melanoma is fast becoming the second most common form of cancer for those between15 and 29 with the USA seeing 121,840 new cases of melanoma in 2009 according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Saturn Biosciences is currently seeking £7m ($11) to fund a phase II clinical study in Malignant Melanoma and, on successful completion will seek an exit in 2015.
Selcia
Selcia Limited operates two divisions, Selcia Discovery which provides integrated small molecule drug discovery to pharmaceutical and biotech clients, and Selcia Radiolabeling which specializes in 14C GMP radiolabelling.
Besides general medicinal chemistry and biology capabilities applicable across a wide range of target classes, Selcia Discovery has particular strengths in three unique and highly synergistic technologies:
(1) medicinal chemistry on complex natural products
(2) capillary electrophoresis-based fragment and natural product screening
(3) PPI targets in particular peptidyl-prolyl isomerases (including cyclophilins, FKBPs, Pin1, together called PPIases).
The combination of these technologies has enabled Selcia to deliver several clinical PPIase inhibitors to clients, but has also generated IP for Selcia, which was recently demerged into 2 new companies, Mitopharm Limited and Selcia Pharma Limited. Mitopharm are in advanced license negotiations for a breakthrough drug in the field of acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Other applications in the fields of chronic inflammatory diseases, oncology, COPD, and virus infections will be developed by Mitopharm either via investment or via joint R&D programs with pharmaceutical companies. Selcia Pharma is a spin out company focussing on the development of two antimicrobial (antibacterial & antifungal) drug discovery programs.
Selcia’s headquarters are in Ongar, Essex, UK and we also have a branch in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
Silenseed
Silenseed promotes Phase II study of a novel treatment for pancreatic cancer ($5.1B market). The company’s proprietary platform for cancer therapies is showing full safety and tolerability and very encouraging efficacy results in the ongoing Phase I (NCT01188785), including OS, PFS, CA19-9 decrease, and good QOL. siRNA directed against mutated K-RasG12D affects tumor growth, reduces chemo-resistance, and slows transition to metastasis. The siRNA is stored within a miniature capsule named LODER® and continuously released along three months regionally within the tumor. Product launch: Q2 2016. In addition, Silenseed is expanding its product usage portfolio to prostate cancer ($7.2B market).
SOM Biotech
SOM Biotech (SOM) is a company established at the Barcelona Science Park with the mission to discover and develop new indications of already known drugs (repositioning) through a profitable private company committed to its shareholders, employees and society. Repositioned drug access implies discovering, pre-clinical validation, patenting and licensing already known drugs for their commercial use in unknown medical uses. Our propietary virtual screening platform is based on an in-silico computerized approach and the drug development is driven by a dedicated team of experts and strategy advisors.
to-BBB
to-BBB is a clinical stage biotechnology company focusing on enhanced drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier. The company is developing novel treatments for devastating brain disorders, such as brain cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and lysosomal storage diseases, by combining existing drugs with the G-Technology®, to-BBB's proprietary brain delivery platform.
TriMod Therapeutics
TriMod Therapeutics was founded on innovative, patented technology originating from the laboratory of globally recognised Immunologist, Prof Kingston Mills at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
This TriMoVac technology is a combination of two new molecular entities - a TLR agonist and a PI3 kinase inhibitor – which synergistically enhances the patients’ immune response to target the tumour and promote its eradication by attenuating it’s immune subversion strategies.
Strong proof-of-concept data has been generated in in vivo models of melanoma, colon carcinoma and lung cancer. Successful eradication of the cancer is complemented by tumour rejection when re-challenged. This demonstrates the immune system specifically targets and rejects this cancer and, as such, will prevent recurrence of a cured cancer.
The TriMoVac platform has the potential to treat several different types of cancer including, melanoma, prostate, lung, breast and renal cancer and fill an unmet need in this therapeutic space.
TriMod has an experienced team led by CEO Dr Jeremy Skillington (Ex Genentech, Opsona) and Chairman, Dr Bernd Seizinger (GPC, BMS) to execute the development strategy.
TriMod raised €750,000 Seed-Capital financing in October 2011 and is currently raising Series A financing of €7.5M to bring the technology through to Phase I proof of concept.
Vipergen
Vipergen is a biotechnology company dedicated to small molecule drug discovery using DNA-encoded chemical library technologies.
Vipergen seeks to leverage its proprietary drug discovery technologies in partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies keen on tackling the most challenging protein targets for important unmet medical needs.
New possibilities for DNA-encoded chemical libraries are unlocked and unleashed with our YoctoReactor®(yR) technology and Binder Trap Enrichment® (BTE). These second generation DNA-encoded library technologies are designed to efficiently deliver the highest fidelity primary screening results in the industry.
The yR technology has set a new paradigm for DNA-directed chemistry and the generation of high fidelity libraries. BTE is a homogeneous screening technology for yR libraries which offers unequivocal primary screening data in a simple, single screen.
VolitionRx
Early detection of cancer can improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term economic burden by enabling curative surgical intervention supported by radiotherapy to prevent recurrence. Currently approaches, e.g. the PSA test, which is the only common biomarker routinely used for cancer screening, perform poorly. Volition has introduced Nucleosomics®, a simple immunoassay based epigenetic profiling approach for detection and identification of a range of cancers. This disruptive technology platform is protected by a strong international portfolio of granted and pending patents, trademarks and knowhow.
Volition intends to address the unmet clinical need for affordable, accurate, and scalable cancer diagnostics with its NuQ® suite of products that quantify specific nucleosome structures in the blood or urine. Multiple large-scale clinical trials are underway across centres in Europe to support CE mark application for the first diagnostic product (colon cancer) envisaged by the end of 2013. Our range of simple blood tests will continue to expand to include general and specific cancer tests. Formats will include large centralized testing, de-centralized screening, point of care systems and ultimately self-testing available for high-risk individuals (genetically predisposed and relapse).
The NuQ® range of immunoassays is available for research use only via our dedicated research products site, www.nucleosomics.com.
Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Supporters
