5 minute read
SMALL DOSE
from EPM May 2022
by EPM Magazine
6 A small dose
Biomarker research boost for spinout Empower erapeutics
Research shows that a brainwave biomarker licensed by digital therapeutic spinout Empower Therapeutics can reliably and accurately identify patients with high sensitivity to pain. The study, which was carried out in Birmingham, U.K. by an international collaboration of researchers, showed that the biomarker can predict which patients have a pain score of 7/10 or higher following chest surgery (thoracotomy). Before surgery, the team measured the patients’ alpha waves. Over 72 hours following surgery, participants were asked to score their pain on a scale from 1-10. The researchers were able to demonstrate a clear link between the patient’s alpha waves and their responses to pain. They found that people whose alpha waves oscillated below 9 Hz were much more vulnerable to severe pain post-surgery. The brainwave biomarker is being leveraged by University of Birmingham spinout Empower Therapeutics to both identify pain sensitive individuals and change their perception of pain. Building upon the reported diagnostic capabilities, Empower Therapeutics aims to create digital therapies that measure and modify the biomarker to reduce pain sensitivity and relieve chronic pain. Formed in 2021, Empower Therapeutics is led by CEO Steven Rothenberg, M.D., a serial entrepreneur and physician, and CSO Andrew Furman, Ph.D, a pain neuroscientist who contributed to the foundational biomarker research at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and co-authored the present study. The study was led by Dr Ali Mazaheri from the University
COVESTRO AND PHARMAJET REMOVE STING WITH COLLABORATION
Polymer company Covestro has announced its collaboration with PharmaJet, a biotech company in needle-free injection technology. PharmaJet’s Needle-free Injection Systems (NFIS) provide a more eff ective way of administering drugs and biologics, and are preferred by patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers. NFIS are used as the method of delivery in 20+ Covid vaccine development programs and the world’s fi rst plasmid-based DNA vaccine which recently received Emergency Use Authorisation for Covid in India. The PharmaJet systems require a polycarbonate material to meet the specifi cations of the syringe and vial adapter while standing up to gamma radiation and ethylene oxide sterilisation. Chris Cappello, president and CEO, at PharmaJet, said: “We needed a polycarbonate resin that was suitable for our biotech applications and came from a vendor we could rely on. Covestro has provided great support to PharmaJet in the fi ght against Covid-19, allowing the collaboration to achieve better immunological results than needle and syringe delivery.” Mark Nichols, healthcare key account manager, Covestro, added: “Covestro is honoured to provide a reliable supply of Makrolon polycarbonate that meets the demand of needle-free injection, ultimately leading to a better patient experience, and reduced waste.”
Discovery Park, based at Sandwich in Kent, has become the fi rst Life Science and Innovation Campus to join the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), further cementing its ambition to become a centre of excellence. The move is part of Discovery Park’s wider commitment to engage with the UK’s industrial biotechnology community, supporting innovation and commercialisation of new industrial biotechnology (IB) processes and products. With the global drive towards sustainable living, IB off ers a green and alternative to fossil fuels, whether it’s for energy, medicines, or sustainable food sources, and is at the heart of all net zero ambitions. Joining IBioIC allows Discovery Park the opportunity to link with a broad but interrelated network of industry, universities, and governments to bring biotechnology processes and products to the global market. Discovery Park’s drive towards IB builds upon the site’s reputation for drug discovery and manufacture, having been home to Pfi zer since the 1950s. Work is currently underway to refurbish 50,000ft2 of laboratories and collaborative workspace, creating an ‘incubator’ for start-up biotech and life science businesses. Jane Kennedy, chief business offi cer at Discovery Park, said: “The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre has undoubtedly done a fantastic job of catalysing the growth of the sector in Scotland. It is clear to me that joining the IBioIC off ers
of Birmingham’s Centre for Human Brain Health with contributions from co-author Dr David Seminowicz from Western University (Canada), both of whom serve as scientifi c advisors to the company. Dr Blakely O’Connor, a Harvard-trained bioengineer and COO of Empower Therapuetics, said: “I am excited about the possibilities and potential of this cutting-edge research to translate into tools and therapies that enable people to alleviate pain with fewer drugs and invasive interventions. It is encouraging to see our therapeutic target validated as a meaningful measure of pain sensitivity for patients in a clinical setting.” Boyds, the global drug development consultancy, has reported an increase of more than 20% year-on-year in annual revenue in the wake of increased demand for its expertise across the UK, US, and Europe. Since the opening of Boyds’ US offi ce in Pennsylvania last year the company has recorded signifi cant growth in US revenue, which now accounts for approximately 30% of its total revenue. Boyds has a reputation for its work in cell and gene therapies and has led to a steady increase in the number of companies approaching Boyds for its expertise, particularly in the US. Professor Alan Boyd, president and founder of Boyds, said: “As a result of a two-year strategic review of the business, Boyds has evolved signifi cantly over the past 12 months, and we are now seeing our investments in the US, our UK and Ireland offi ces and in our team, really pay off . We have recruited 17 people to the team in the last 12 months, bringing our total global headcount to 34, with more recruitment already underway, including in the US. “Boyds has worked on multiple new projects involving investigational products for over 28 new clients over the past 12 months, all of which are at the cutting-edge as novel technologies.”
Strong growth in the US boosts revenue for Boyds
Discovery Park opportunities to collaborate and make connections between my tenant companies in Kent with the fastgrowing network in Scotland. We hope to bring together companies that can learn from each other how to turn great ideas into great businesses.” Mark Bustard, chief executive of IBioIC, added: “The innovation centre plays an important role in supporting the growth of the UK’s bioeconomy, connecting industry partners with worldleading research teams to explore alternative bio-based materials and processes across a range of sectors. So far, we have supported more than 200 companies to bring new products to the global market and connecting with IB research and science hubs such as the Discovery Park will no doubt unlock further opportunities. Almost £30 million of additional industry investment has been generated as a direct result of IBioIC innovation activities to date, contributing to more than 3,000 high-value green jobs.”
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