World class research produces spin-out companies
Newcastle University has an excellent track record for producing spin-out companies from research. A number of these are going from strength to strength, notably in the biotechnology sector.
Arrow Therapeutics Ltd
In 2007 Arrow Therapeutics Ltd was bought for $150 million by the pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca. Arrow specialises in the discovery and development of antiviral therapies and was established in 1998 by Newcastle, Cambridge and Oxford Universities and University College London. By the time of its acquisition, it employed 60 staff in London and Newcastle.
AstraZeneca described Arrow as a world-class company whose antiviral research and products would complement its existing strengths. Alastair Hawkins, Professor of Molecular Genetics at Newcastle University and one of Arrow’s founders said that the key to Arrow’s growth had been excellent research with commercial potential.
e-Therapeutics
e-Therapeutics has gained support of City investors, valuing the company at £35 million ($73.5 million). The company was founded in 2005 by Professor Malcolm Young, who developed a computer-based drug discovery platform, which is able to predict the effect of drug candidate compounds on target proteins.
Using this technology, e-Therapeutics has identified 45 new therapy candidates in 11 clinical areas, including MRSA, asthma, depression, cancer, cholesterol problems, diabetes and pain control. The technology has the potential to make drug development quicker and cheaper. Professor Young is currently seconded to e-Therapeutics as its Chief Executive.
BioTransformations Ltd
Spin-out company BioTransformations Ltd is based on the development of a new type of cancer therapy, in which special antibodies attack tumours when activated by ultraviolet light. The company, established by Professor Colin Self, is planning clinical trials, initially on patients with secondary skin cancers.
Orla Protein Technologies
In November 2007, Orla Protein Technologies announced in Tokyo that it had signed an agreement with the leading Japanese electronics manufacturer, JRC, to develop a range of low-cost, portable diagnostic devices for use by doctors and paramedics to perform rapid tests on patients for viruses, bacteria and protein markers. The core technology was developed by Jeremy Lakey, Professor of Structural Biochemistry at Newcastle University.
