ON Highlights Spring 2014

Spring 2014

Welcome

A very warm Spring welcome to ON Highlights - our new format twice yearly newsletter.

Whilst times are still tough for our members, it’s fantastic to see Horizon Discovery listing on AIM (page 6).

We’ve been strong supporters of Darrin, Chris and the team from their early days and marvel at their inspiring story. The company also excels at supporting the entrepreneurs and scientists of the future, as does One Nucleus. You can read more about how we are working with ‘future talent’ on pages 17-18.

We really enjoy supporting and collaborating with the leaders of tomorrow. In particular with the teams from the Innovation Forum, GAP Summit (Global Biotechnology Revolution) and Oxbridge Biotechnology Roundtable.

As well as providing a showcase for our members, ON Highlights is an opportunity to find out more about In the five years that I’ve been here what the One Nucleus team is up to. the newsletter has grown from a four This month sees the launch of our page hard copy ‘glossy’ to a bumper ‘Cambridge’ and ‘London’ buttons on 50 page eZine. We are hugely proud the homepage of our website. Do of this showcase of our members’ check them out to see the vast and talents, innovations and expertise and exciting range of organisations in love compiling it. But… we are mindful both regions. As I write this we are that everyone is busy and has lots of busy gearing up for BIO (where we data to digest every day. So we have will have our annual One Nucleus made it shorter and even more Dinner and One Nucleus Breakfast – exclusive – and given it a name that the latter chaired this year by the we think fits its purpose – ON indomitable Steve Burrill) and ON Highlights.

Helix. See Pages 19 and 23 for how to get involved. Our membership Those of you who know me well will continues to grow, with over 470 know that I can talk, and indeed write, for England, so you will notice I member organisations, and our Purchasing Scheme - the longest have also been tough on myself, and running and largest scheme of its my introduction is shorter to fit with kind in the UK - recently having hit the new style. So, how to condense savings of over £4 million for our all the brilliant things our members members. and collaborators have been up to into a few pithy words?

Finally, I was over the moon recently

be a British Business Ambassador. I mention it here for two reasons.

Firstly to say that I firmly believe the reason I was asked is due to the huge significance and exceptional reputation of our members. For them to be recognised at this level is thrilling for One Nucleus.

The second reason for mentioning it is because I have been asked many times what the role involves. So here goes! I’ve been asked to promote UK life sciences when out and about around the UK and overseas (I generally do this anyway, albeit in a One Nucleus context) and to undertake two international trips overseas – potentially leading life science missions (I have furnished No.10 with ideas about this that fit with our members’ interests) and several UK engagements. I may also be asked to brief international visitors. When I met the Prime Minister in March he made it clear that the role is relatively ‘light touch’ and I certainly plan for it to only enhance our One Nucleus impact.

Importantly, I will not be doing national lobbying. As I always make clear, One Nucleus does not lobby into Whitehall directly. We support the BIA with their sterling work in this area. If I am asked in my Ambassador role to brief a UK Minister, I have invited the CEO of BIA, Steve Bates, to join me and he has said he would be delighted to.

Collaboration in action!

I hope you enjoy ON Highlights. Do let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas as the team and I always appreciate your feedback.

to be invited by the Prime Minister to

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Dr Harpal Kumar, CRUK

A Vision of a World Where No-one’s Life is Cut Short by Cancer

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Michelle Haven, Zoetis

Sharing Scientific Insights in Human and Animal Disease

6 Horizon Discovery Horizon Discovery Raises £68.6 Million ($113 Million) in IPO

Member News

Spring 2014

A Vision of a World Where No-one’s Life is Cut Short by Cancer having their bladder removed.

Dr Harpal Kumar, CEO, Cancer Research UK

We’re committed to tackling every type of cancer and continue to fund some of the best cancer research in the world. One example is our stratified medicine programme which aims to show how affordable genetic tests can be used throughout the NHS to improve the precision of cancer diagnosis. These tests take samples from a patient’s tumour so they can be given the most appropriate treatment.

challenge when it comes to finding a cure?

Four types of cancer – lung, bowel, breast and prostate – make up almost half (46%) of all cancer deaths.

Lung is by far the most common cause of cancer death in the UK with more than one in five (22%) cancer deaths in men and women. Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death.

Smoking is the single most important cause of preventable death in the UK, which is why we We will be launching a new research must do all we can to remove all strategy this spring which will branding from cigarette packs to CRUK’s vision is to bring forward outline specific areas of focus prevent the next generation of the day when all cancers are including cancer biology, early children taking up the deadly habit. cured. This is a huge ask – how diagnosis, translational research and But, although these cancers have are you getting on? tackling cancers with poor survival the greatest death toll – due to the rates. We’ll also continue to fund The ultimate vision of Cancer high numbers of people who get the innovative new trials, research to Research UK (CRUK) is a world disease – there are many other improve surgery and radiotherapy where no-one’s life is cut short by cancers which also have very poor and boost research into harder-tocancer. We’re making great survival. These include kidney, treat cancers to deliver urgently progress towards this goal – over pancreatic and oesophageal. We the last 40 years survival rates have needed new treatments. urgently need to do more to tackle doubled.

Our work will also focus on the these hard to treat cancers.

But it’s important to remember that importance of cancer prevention and cancer is a complex set of over 200 ‘We’re making great progress towards this diseases. We will never have just one cure for all cancers but we hope goal – over the last 40 years [cancer] that one day all forms of the disease survival rates have doubled.’ Dr Harpal will be able to be prevented, Kumar, CRUK’s Chief Executive treated, or controlled like a chronic illness, such as diabetes. early diagnosis. We continue to CRUK recently announced the Our scientists and doctors are campaign for the Government to do results of a massive global study working every day to find cures for as much as they can to reduce adult looking at inherited risk of all cancers – whether through smoking rates and to stop children cancer. What have we learnt targeted treatment or detecting taking up smoking. We will continue from the study and how will it cancers earlier. We’re developing to lobby the Government for rapid help our understanding of the new, kinder treatments. As one uptake of the bowel scope test – a cause of cancer? example, we’ve recently finished a test to look at the inside of the trial that will transform the way Over 80 regions of the genome that lower bowel and rectum. people with bladder cancer are can increase an individual's risk of Which cancers still pose the treated, with fewer patients now breast, prostate and ovarian cancers greatest threat and the greatest What are CRUK’s key objectives for 2014?

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Member News were recently found in the largest ever study of its kind which CRUK helped to fund.

This research could lead to new treatments, targeted screening and a greater understanding of how these diseases develop. We hope that we can soon use this knowledge of genetic variations to develop tests that could complement breast cancer screening and take us a step closer to having an effective prostate cancer screening programme. By looking for people who carry most of these variations we will be able to identify those who are at the greatest risk of getting these cancers and target screening tests and prevention strategies to these individuals. Understanding how these genes are involved in cancer could provide new understanding of how cancers develop and how to treat them.

Spring 2014 most important cancer types and is being part funded by CRUK’s Catalyst Club – a pioneering venture that's raising £10 million towards personalised cancer treatment.

In terms of prevention, we recently published a landmark study which showed that more than 100,000 cancers – equivalent to one third of all those diagnosed in the UK each year – are being caused by smoking, unhealthy diets, alcohol and excess weight. It underlines the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle to help stack the odds in your favour in order to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

How does CRUK keep a finger on the pulse of academic research and ensure that the most promising translates into real patient benefits?

Our scientists are always working together to share knowledge and to What recent findings or piece of find answers more quickly. All our research has impacted most, or researchers present their work at will impact most, on cancer conferences around the world and prevention, diagnosis and are also required to publish their treatment in the future? results in scientific journals. These Other large gene studies have are then shared with the medical revealed even more differences research community around the between types of cancer, but have world. also increased our understanding of Drug discovery and development is the differences between the ‘same’ also a major area of investment for cancer type in different people – us. Our Drug Development Office the foundation of ‘personalised (DDO) specialises in early stage medicine’. cancer trials which help to develop Last July, we launched a new treatments. We also own a revolutionary study called TRACERx company called Cancer Research that will plot the evolution of lung Technology which helps to develop tumours in real time. In a world new discoveries to benefit cancer first, our researchers will track the patients. genetic changes that drive tumour CRUK is funded through development and resistance to charitable donations – has the treatment. economic situation impacted We’re also a partner in the this and what fundraising International Cancer Genome initiatives do you have in place?

Consortium (ICGC) which is one of CRUK’s fundraising income is driven the most ambitious biomedical by a diverse fundraising portfolio research efforts since the Human and we rely on the generosity of Genome Project. The project will the public. More than a third of map the genetic faults in 50 of the

what we do is made possible because people remember us in their wills. We have invested in new and exciting fundraising initiatives, including Dryathlon and our first televised event, Stand Up to Cancer. Income was certainly impacted during the downturn, but we are optimistic and ambitious for the future, as the economic situation improves. Every year there is more world-class research we would like to support than there are funds available. So we constantly need to seek new ways of growing our income.

Next year the Francis Crick Institute will open its doors as a state-of-the art biomedical research centre. Tell us about CRUKs involvement in the consortium and what we can look forward to.

Opening in 2015, the Francis Crick Institute’s main goal is to use the combined skills of scientists working on cancer and all major diseases to get new discoveries to patients as quickly as possible.

Construction of a new building is underway in King’s Cross, London at a cost of £650m. This is a partnership of six leading UK scientific and academic organisations — the Medical Research Council, CRUK, the Wellcome Trust, UCL, Imperial College London and King's College London. CRUK was one of the founding partners and expects to be the largest funder of research in the Institute once it is opened.

CRUK is the only partner which needs to raise its contribution through philanthropy and it has established its Create the Change Campaign to help raise a total of £100m towards the Crick.

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Member News

Spring 2014

Sharing Scientific Insights in Human and Animal Disease in 120 countries.

Michelle Haven, Sr. Vice President for Corporate Development, Alliances and Solutions at Zoetis

As Sr. Vice President for Corporate Development, Alliances and Solutions, I work across a number of functions including global strategic planning, business development and external alliances, as well as global services. The coordination of these functions ensures that our external business  transactions and partnerships are aligned with Zoetis’ global and regional strategic needs.

What have been the highlights of the last 12 months?

Tell us a little about Zoetis, its history and your role.

Firstly, the company name, Zoetis (zō-EH-tis), has its root in zo, familiar in words such as zoo and zoology and derived from zoetic, meaning ‘pertaining to life’.

We are a global animal health company dedicated to supporting our veterinarian and livestock producer customers and their businesses in ever better ways.

Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, we deliver quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services.

We strive to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals.

To give a perspective on size, in 2013 Zoetis generated $4.6 billion in revenues. We have approximately 9,800 employees worldwide and a local presence in around 70 countries, including 28 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. We market our products

It has been an exciting year for Zoetis since we became an independent, public company through an initial public offering in the US on February 1, 2013.

Highlights include:

 Receiving approval in the US, European Union and New Zealand for Apoquel, the first Janus kinase inhibitor approved for veterinary use. Apoquel controls itching associated with allergic dermatitis and controls atopic dermatitis in dogs of at least 12 months

 Announcing in August that our joint venture in China, Jilin Zoetis Guoyuan JV, received approval for Rui Lan An, a specialised vaccine to help control the highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (HP PRRS)

 Being first to market in the US with GA08, a conditionally licensed vaccine for a newly emerging infectious bronchitis virus in poultry

 Receiving approval in the U.S. for two branded generic

ractopamine products that add to our strong portfolio for swine and cattle. Ractopamine is a feed additive that helps cattle and pigs direct their food energy toward producing high-quality lean meat rather than fat, and it is part of the beta-agonist class of drugs Joining the PROHEALTH research consortium of 22 academic, industry and private enterprise organisations from 11 countries which are exploring new ways to ensure the sustainability of modern animal production. The consortium was awarded the largest animal health research grant in EU history, of €11.9 million

What are the challenges and opportunities for Zoetis and the wider animal health market?

We believe the fundamentals of the animal health industry are very strong.

 The population of our world continues to grow. By 2050, there could be more than nine billion people in the world

 Emerging markets are seeing a growth in the middle class sectors of their societies These factors are creating increased levels of consumption of animal protein at a time of limited natural resources, including arable land and water. This is a significant opportunity for Animal Health companies that can bring the innovation to face the challenge to produce more with less.

 Improved standards of living and (Continued on page 5)

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Member News movement of populations to urban centres are leading to higher levels of pet ownership and more spending on the medical care of these animals

 This is creating a positive growth trend in consumer expenditure within the pet care sector, both in established and emerging markets

 Total annual sales of animal medicines and vaccines are approximately $23.5 Billion today. Industry sources indicate that the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of around 6% through to the end of 2017

Spring 2014 firmly believe that partnerships with occurring disease. top research organisations The value of taking a ‘one health’ strengthen our ability to identify and approach makes sense when you access cutting edge technologies. consider that approximately 70 Zoetis has established well over 100 percent of the infectious diseases partnerships with universities, that can threaten human health can companies, research institutes and be passed between people and veterinary hospitals around the animals. Not only that, meeting the world. Through our participation in increasing demand of a growing these alliances, we focus on three world population for safe, quality key areas: animal protein begins with raising healthy animals with finite natural  Developing research resources. collaborations and networks in all Alongside partners who share our major world regions values and offer innovative business  New research models through models, we can strive together to participation in consortia with top identify and develop new global experts technologies, research models,  Identification and rapid response therapeutics and vaccines to address existing and emerging to emerging infectious diseases diseases and conditions. and collaborative food safety

What drives your product pipeline and how do you ensure initiatives the most promising research (in -house and external) translates into animal health solutions with How can One Nucleus’ human real benefit? health focussed members benefit from engaging with Zoetis is focused on continuously Zoetis? innovating to develop animal health solutions that meet the needs of The health of people and animals those who raise and care for are inextricably linked. Human and animals. R&D is at our core, and we veterinary medicine have much to utilise our alliances to leverage gain in sharing scientific insights for relevant discoveries from the preventing and treating animal and agribusiness, pharmaceutical and human diseases, particularly since biotechnology industries. There may humans and companion animals be advantages to exploring and have several disease conditions in developing novel opportunities for common, e.g. certain cancers, animal health including a faster, less osteoarthritis, renal disease. There expensive and more predictable is opportunity to share One Nucleus process. members’ learnings on identification of biological targets, mechanisms, We apply our research to a broad screening techniques, formulations, and diverse range of species, and other technologies. Just as therapeutic areas and geographic Zoetis’ research and development is regions, and our research enriched and informed by insights encompasses vaccines and from related industries such as medicines (small and large pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and molecules). In addition, our R&D agribusiness, Zoetis’ insights can activities include the development of help inform and accelerate R&D in genetic and diagnostic products as these sectors. Often, proof of well as biodevices and engineering efficacy for promising novel investments for in ovo poultry therapeutic classes can be applications. demonstrated earlier in animal We have a strong network of health through clinical trials in external research alliances and companion animals with naturally

What’s your prediction for the animal health market moving forward?

As already touched upon, we believe the fundamentals of the animal health industry are strong. Key factors driving growth on the livestock side are a rising demand for quality meat, milk and poultry, and a growing middle class, while increasing pet ownership will drive growth on the companion animal side. Moving forward, across species we anticipate a growing link between genetic predictors, diagnostics and targeted therapies.

In livestock, the need to produce more protein with fewer resources is likely to drive innovative new solutions focused on enhanced conversion of feed to meat. We expect that the companion animal market will become increasingly sophisticated with preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic options mirroring those of humans.

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Member News

Spring 2014

Horizon Discovery Raises £68.6 Million ($113 Million) in IPO future share growth.

Cambridge-based translational genomics and personalised medicines tools company Horizon Discovery has successfully floated on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, raising around £68.6 million ($113 million) in an over-subscribed IPO. Providing an outstanding example of what can be achieved by Cambridge’s technology cluster and the British life science and technology industries, Horizon builds on the region’s long and distinguished history of technology-focused entrepreneurs and successful businesses.

Horizon joins the ranks of companies like Abcam and ARM Holdings, which have grown to billion pound value corporations and are taking the region into a new era of commercial maturity.

The hope is that successes like Horizon can pave the way for a durable recovery in the life science sector, not only in the Cambridge region but for the wider industry, and for the creation of British businesses which can hold their own against those in the US and elsewhere.

Dr Darrin Disley, Horizon’s CEO, said: ‘This is the biggest flotation of a Cambridge biotech company in many years, and we are extremely proud that the hard work of everyone involved in the Horizon story has brought us to this stage.

We have built a market leading UK company that is succeeding by exporting over 90% of its products, services and cancer drug programs.

We are the UK’s fastest growing biotech company and we are determined to become a long-term, sustainable business that consolidates UK and foreign innovation.’

‘Horizon’s success is testament not only to the strength of its management and technical teams, but also to the benefits of basing a biotech company in the Cambridge area, and the business benefits to being a growing life science SME in Horizon says the money raised the UK,’ commented Harriet Fear, through the IPO will be used to CEO of One Nucleus. ‘We build on its world-leading congratulate Horizon on their technology, research tools and successful IPO, and have every gene editing expertise, to fund the confidence that they will continue next stage of the company’s growth to be a shining star of the across its three commercial units.

Cambridge biotech community!’

Over the coming months the company will be focusing on raising market awareness, setting up new sales and marketing distribution channels, developing its IP and product base, and acquiring P&L – all of which it anticipates will drive

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Member News

Spring 2014

Horizon 2020: From Lab to Market counterparts in France and Germany.

It is in the field of health research that SMEs have made most impact.

In 2013 30% of EU funding on health related topics went to SME project partners.

UK organisations have received more than €6 billion in research funding from the EU in the last seven years. That’s over 15% of the overall research programme budget1 and is one of those rare cases where the UK gets proportionately more out than it puts in, given the UK’s 11% contribution to the EU’s budget.

The new programme Horizon 2020 brings the EU’s research and innovation funding together under one umbrella for the first time, taking research closer to the market across all types of innovation. Seen as a means to drive economic growth and create jobs, Horizon 2020 both needs and wants more industry participation, and SMEs play a critical role in this.

It is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme to date, with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020), and health and life sciences are areas targeted for support in the new programme.

Launching Horizon 2020 in London in January, the European Commissioner Maire GeogheganQuinn said that she had wanted to do ‘something fresh’ and in particular to tackle the top problem identified by SMEs – the complexity and bureaucratic burden of participating. Included in this is ensuring a single programme with This is obviously good news, but one set of rules; rebalancing trust dig a little deeper and some cracks and control, leaning further towards start to show. trust; less paperwork; fewer audits; For example, where does industry – faster time to grant. particularly SMEs – fit into the SME participation is being picture? In this case the UK drops promoted across the whole Horizon below the EU-wide picture. Across 2020 programme. Companies can the EU as a whole 16% of funding join transnational projects as part has gone to SMEs while in the UK of a consortium, and for the first it’s only around 13%. Partly this time can get support through a reflects the fact that UK academia new dedicated ‘SME Instrument’ has done exceptionally well from designed specifically for highly the programme, but it is also true innovative companies. Overall, it is that UK businesses receive less in expected at least €8.65 billion will absolute terms than their In the last couple of years the UK has overtaken Germany to become the country receiving most funding.

If UK organisations retain this level of success, they will benefit from more than €2 billion of research and innovation funding in the first two years of Horizon 2020.

find its way directly to SMEs. The SME instrument is about supporting innovative ideas with an EU dimension that can’t find financing due to their higher risk nature. The initiative aims to fill in the gaps in funding for early stage, high-risk research and development, and is open to all types of SMEs across all areas of innovation. In the first two years specific themes identified include diagnostic devices and biomarkers, and biotechnology based industrial processes.

So if Horizon 2020 is an opportunity you want to explore further, or to re-consider following past experience, now is a good time to check it out. The next major tranche of calls for project proposals will be published in July 2014, and the SME instrument is open for business.

Help is at hand through a network of National Contact Points, and you can find out about the UK’s NCPs at the Technology Strategy Board https://www.h2020uk.org/nationalcontact-points.

Reference 1: 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development, 20072013 Horizon 2020: http://ec.europa.eu/ programmes/horizon2020/en/whathorizon-2020 Horizon 2020 and SMEs: http:// ec.europa.eu/programmes/ horizon2020/en/area/smes.

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Member News

Spring 2014

Patent Box – Incentivising UK Innovation

Marks & Clerk and Cambridge Design Partnership have released 'Patent Box: An industry report on incentivising UK innovation'. The report considers Patent Box tax relief and its impact on technology commercialisation in the UK, and reveals that the relief is likely to encourage big business to remain in the UK, but that SMEs feel the Government should provide more incentives to encourage innovation.

Patent Box was introduced in the UK in April 2013 providing tax relief on products incorporating patented inventions. The scheme is being phased in over five years, reducing

corporation tax on product revenue from 23% to 10% by 2017. Tax deductions can be applied in full retrospectively once a patent is granted.

The report suggests that short-term gains are more likely to accrue to larger businesses. Even where these companies do not directly reinvest savings in R&D, there may be spill-over effects in the localisation of IP, and thus jobs, to the UK, leading to an indirect increase in innovation. Considering SMEs, these companies will benefit when their patents on key products are granted. Thus, HMRC should

increase understanding by SMEs of the financial benefits relative to the cost of patenting, and work with the Government’s Technology Strategy Board to bring SMEs to the point of patent ownership. A recent report endorsed by the Department of Business, Innovations and Skills, ‘Banking on Finance?’ also recommended Government action to help educate SMEs on the importance of IP protection.

The Patent Box has drawn praise for its simplicity and for putting innovation higher on the executive agenda. Metrics developed in this recent report based on patenting statistics, R&D expenditure and strategic decisions of the UK’s companies will in coming years highlight the actual consequences for innovative activity in the UK and the economy.

Crescendo Biologics Raises £17.5M not achievable by mAbs or small molecules. They are also the most well validated antibody fragment class in the clinic.

In further good news for the Cambridge cluster, Crescendo Biologics announced in December 2013 that they had raised £17.5m in a Series A financing round led by Imperial Innovations, with founding investor Sofinnova Partners and new investor Astellas Venture Management. The company had received essential seed phase investment from Avlar BioVentures, Babraham Commercialisation Services and Rainbow Seed Fund.

Crescendo Biologics, a spin out of BBSRC’s Babraham Institute, has developed a class-leading platform for the production of human antibody fragments. At 12kD, less than 1/10th the size of mAbs, VH are the smallest and most robust antibody fragments with properties

In a tour de force of genetic engineering, the company has created the Crescendo Mouse which generates fully human antibodies devoid of light chains, from which VH can be isolated in response to immunisation. Mike Romanos, CEO of Crescendo, said, ‘Transgenic mice have had a truly major impact in monoclonal antibodies, where they have delivered the majority of recent product approvals. The Crescendo Mouse now achieves the same benefits for VH antibody fragments; a fully human sequence with excellent potency and druggability. These properties enable us to properly address key industry needs, such as plug and play engineering of multivalent products with good CMC properties, improved tissue and tumour penetration, and robust biologics for topical or inhaled delivery. This

new investment will allow us to accelerate our topical psoriasis and oncology programmes to the clinic and also to provide a powerful platform for strategic partnerships.’

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Member News

Spring 2014

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Astex’s Acquisition by Otsuka Wins Annual BioNewsRound Award at Genesis

Astex's fragment-based drug discovery technology and oncology research and development expertise were cited by Otsuka’s

This bodes well for the UK sector, as Astex plans to continue to operate its industry-leading drug discovery research activities from its current research headquarters in Cambridge, UK, and will continue to operate under the Astex name.

More importantly for the UK sector, Astex is currently hiring and has recently announced a new postdoctoral training programme, branded ‘Sustaining Innovation’, again reflecting the focus of the company on excellence and the commitment from Otsuka to the Astex organisation.

Left to Right: Ted Agne, Harriet Fear, Martin Buckland, Greer Deal, Richard Hayhurst and Tony Jones

senior management as key driving factors for the acquisition. Otsuka’s President, Taro Iwamoto, commented: ‘Astex's unique fragment-based drug discovery technology and clinical oncology research and development capabilities, born out of the passion of its researchers, exemplify our corporate mottos and belief in "sozosei” (creativity) and “jissho” (proof through execution).

I would like Otsuka Pharmaceutical to continue to respect Astex's Astex’s recent acquisition by Otsuka uniqueness and leverage it to bring won the Genesis 2013 further growth for Otsuka BioNewsRound Award from a strong Pharmaceutical.’ field of contenders, highlighting the year’s successes for the UK biotech sector. The transaction, which completed on 11 October 2013, valued Astex at $886M and was one of the largest deals for the UK sector in recent years and the 4th largest M&A deal by a Japanese pharma company in the last five years, receiving national level press coverage in Japan.

Member News

Spring 2014

The Voice of British Neuroscience The BNA’s main areas of activity are neuroscience with around eight to: plenary lectures, 50 symposia, workshops and posters. The  Encourage young scientists to scientific programme runs in parallel pursue a career in neuroscience with an amazing series of public events around Edinburgh City  Educate and inform through Centre. lectures, symposia, meetings, events and the BNA website

 Advise on issues in neuroscience  Engage with the public and the The British Neuroscience Association is the largest organisation in the UK  covering all areas of research into the brain and central nervous system. Members are at varying stages of their careers, from students through to world-renowned  leaders.

As the voice of British neuroscience today, the BNA exists to promote neuroscience to the science communities, policy makers, the media, the public and other groups with an interest in the brain and nervous system.

media Represent UK neuroscience to Government, funding agencies, and science administration, regulation and standards organisations Foster support for UK neuroscience through a BNA network of 36 local groups

‘The BNA is the organisation that brings together people from different disciplines who wouldn’t otherwise talk to each other.’

Professor Dame Uta Frith FRS, UCL. Be part of a respected national academic society that represents UK neuroscience nationally and internationally - join today.

To find out more about the BNA, the BNA2015: Festival of Neuroscience and how you can become involved go to www.bna.org.uk

The BNA is delighted to announce that the BNA2015: Festival of Neuroscience will take place in Edinburgh, 12-15 April 2015.

The Festival will showcase some of the latest developments in

Personalised Medicine: Patient Specific Anaesthetic Dosing Moves a Step Closer (GOSH) used the Pelorus to monitor propofol levels during paediatric spinal surgery on anaesthetised children. Results from the GOSH study presented at the Society for Intravenous Anaesthesia meeting concluded that current propofol dosing models for this patient group can lead to significant variability in the concentration of drug present.

Detailed analysis of the results is being carried out at GOSH and these data, compiled utilising Pelorus 1500, are intended to be the basis for investigating an improved approach to dosing children in certain surgical procedures.

Sphere Medical continues to make progress with demonstrating the clinical utility of rapid propofol measurement using the Pelorus 1500 analyser, the world’s first In addition, Sphere Medical is rapid propofol assay system. A collaborating with the Department recently completed study at Great of Anaesthesiology at the University Ormond Street Hospital for Children

Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands, and clinicians are investigating the real time adaptation of dosing models to the individual patient using rapid propofol measurements provided by the Pelorus 1500 system. Initial computer modelling to develop the methodology has been completed and Ethics approval has been received to carry out clinical evaluation trials in adult patients, which are scheduled to start in the Spring. The Department of Anaesthesiology at UMCG is a leading clinical innovator in the field of anaesthetic pharmacology.

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Member News

Spring 2014

Bicycle Therapeutics Enters Collaboration to Develop Novel Bicyclic Peptides for an Ophthalmic Indication and listed on the NYSE Euronext.

ThromboGenics has successfully developed JETREA, a new therapy for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion/ vitreomacular traction. The Company gained approval in US, Europe and Canada, and has a major partnership with the Alcon unit of Novartis for the drug’s commercialisation outside of the US. Dr Jonathan Savidge, Director of Business Development at Bicycle, explained: ‘ThromboGenics was impressed with the affinity and selectivity of molecules that Bicycle had identified against this target of interest in Diabetic Macular Oedema. They are an excellent choice of partner given their focus Bicycle Therapeutics (Bicycle) affinity and selectivity in a much and successful track record in recently announced a collaboration smaller chemically synthesised developing novel therapies for to apply its bicyclic peptide platform molecule. Bicycle peptides are short ophthalmic indications.’ The parties to a target in ophthalmic disease. peptide sequences constrained by a are collaborating on preclinical Bicycle was founded by scientists chemical scaffold core to form a development of the molecules, with Prof Sir Gregory Winter and Prof structure with two loops of amino ThromboGenics having exclusive Christian Heinis to develop a acids. This structure confers high rights for clinical development and technology based upon their work stability and high affinity binding to commercialisation. at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular targets.

Biology. Bicycle’s proprietary Bicycle’s collaboration partner is technology enables the discovery of ThromboGenics N.V., a new class of drug candidates headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, (‘bicycles’) providing antibody-like

43North-the world’s Largest Business Idea Competition Many of you will remember Andrew Pulkrabek, good friend of One Nucleus from his exceptional Keynote presentation at Genesis 2012 when he talked about the state of the US sector and more specifically about financial investment. We have stayed in close touch and he has now kindly drawn the exciting prospect of 43 North to our attention.

With $5 million in cash prizes, including a top award of $1 million, six $500,000 awards and four $250,000 awards, 43North has set

out to help entrepreneurs, start-ups and teams from across the globe turn their business ideas into reality in Buffalo, NY. Winners of the competition will also receive free incubator space for a year, guidance from mentors related to their field and access to other exciting incentive programs, like Start-Up NY, a program that enables companies to operate taxfree in New York State for 10 years.

43North is open to applicants ages

18 and older in any industry, with the exception of retail and hospitality. Companies and startups in the life sciences and healthcare sectors are highly encouraged to apply. Thus far, over 2,200 applicants from 61 different countries have entered their business idea into the competition. Entries must be submitted by 31 May 2014 at www.43north.org

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Member News

Spring 2014

Isomerase and NeuroVive Collaborate in Natural Product Drug Discovery injuries. The drugs under development in collaboration with Isomerase are for use in the treatment of Hepatitis B and C viruses (NVP018) and for reperfusion injury and traumatic brain injury (NVP019). These are excellent examples of modern natural product drug development, and together NeuroVive and Isomerase are talking with potential development partners for NVP018.

Isomerase Therapeutics (Isomerase) is a privately held drug discovery and development company based at Chesterford Research Park, Cambridge, with particular expertise in the discovery and development of optimised microbial natural products. The company was founded by the scientific management of Biotica Technology and is extremely well positioned to offer CRO services to companies with an interest in leveraging natural product drug discovery. Independently,

Isomerase is developing the next generation of synthetic biology applications in natural products.

Isomerase recently announced a collaboration with NeuroVive Pharmaceutical AB (NeuroVive), a Nasdaq OMX listed pharmaceutical company (NVP) and a world leader in developing cyclosporine-based mitochondrial-protecting pharmaceuticals for the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), reperfusion injury in myocardial infarction, stroke, and other acute

In addition Isomerase is developing second-generation biosynthetic engineering technologies, and offers collaborations in this and related fields. Contributing to the current revitalisation of natural product drugs, Isomerase’s technology and expertise enables discovery and development of microbial natural products by generating analogues that are not readily available via conventional synthetic chemistry.

A Bumper Year for Publications publications have been co-authored with clients such as Genentech, AstraZeneca and Corcept and include papers in such prestigious journals as Nature and Proceedings of the National Academy of the USA. Details of all of Argenta’s publications since its inception in 2000 can be found on the company’s website: http:// www.argentadiscovery.com/news/ publications.htm The last year proved to be exceptional for Argenta which saw a record number of peer-reviewed publications featuring its scientists as co-authors with its clients and collaborators. The 2013 total of 15 publications surpasses the previous record of 13 achieved in 2007. The

Dr John Montana, Managing Director of Argenta, commented: ‘Argenta stands or falls by the quality of the science that it conducts for and together with its clients. This record number of publications in high-quality, peerreviewed scientific journals is

another indication of the scientific prowess of Argenta’s industryexperienced staff and the success that we have achieved in partnership with our clients.’

A further indication of Argenta’s strength in drug discovery is the 40 development compounds that it has delivered on behalf of its clients during this time, several of which are now in late-stage clinical trials.

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Member News

Spring 2014

Drug Discovery and Radiochemistry Developments at Selcia Universal Images / Getty Images

disease that threatens millions of people in Africa. Existing medicines can have debilitating side-effects and may be fatal.

The quest for new treatments will build on previous studies that have shown the disease carrying parasite spread by the tsetse fly survives in the bloodstream using enzymes to convert blood sugars into the energy needed to stay alive.

Potential drug compounds have been identified that can stop two of these enzymes from functioning.

The collaborators will create drugs based on these compounds, the aim being to design a drug that is effective in small doses, and will work on advanced infections.

bacterial infections based on the polymyxin nucleus. Cantab has recently been awarded a grant of £2.3m from the Biomedical Catalyst Fund.

Within the past few months, Selcia’s world-class radiochemistry facility has been granted a new Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the preparation and 14C labelling of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

Selcia is also delighted to welcome John Davis to the newly created role of Director of Discovery. John joins from Convergence Pharmaceuticals, where he was a Dr Hans Fliri, Selcia’s Chairman and co-founder of the company and CEO, said: ‘Selcia has made no served as Head of Biology between Two significant drug discovery secret of its determination to 2010 and 2013. collaborations, a successful develop strong links with academia. inspection of its GMP We see these partnerships as a radiochemistry facility, and a senior strategic element of our integrated level appointment, have been drug discovery activity.’ announced by Selcia, the Elsewhere, Selcia has signed a international life sciences CRO. discovery collaboration with Cantab Anti-Infectives, the goal of which is The first collaboration is a £2.5 million Wellcome Trust funded to accelerate Cantab’s programme initiative to combat sleeping to develop improved antibiotics for sickness - a devastating tropical multidrug resistant Gram-negative

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Member News

Spring 2014

Xention's Recent Deal with Servier Represents a Significant Milestone for the Cambridge-based Company Tim Brears, CEO of Xention

Cambridge-based Xention recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Paris-based Servier for the development and commercialisation of XEN-D0103, a selective Kv1.5 modulator discovered and developed by Xention for the treatment of atrial

fibrillation (AF).

key efficacy data for the novel drug.

Xention specialises is the discovery and development of ion channelmodulating drugs and has a particular interest in AF, which represents a massive unmet medical need. By modulating the Kv1.5 ion channel, the company hopes to prevent the recurrence of AF. XEN-D0103 is expected to have fewer side effects than existing drugs due to its high selectivity in blocking only Kv1.5 and no other ion channels.

Tim Brears, CEO of Xention, told One Nucleus: 'This deal represents an important milestone for us. In addition to attracting a partner with significant expertise in the development and commercialisation of cardiovascular drugs, we have retained all US and Japanese rights, which represent two key markets and thus substantial future value for our shareholders.'

Servier clearly agrees and will pay up to €120 million to develop and commercialise XEN-D0103 in all territories except the US and Japan.

Servier will work closely with Xention as the programme moves through its next development stage, which will be to undertake two phase 2 studies aimed at generating

In addition to its XEN-D0103 programme Xention is working on a second AF target, IKACh. This programme is at a somewhat earlier stage and has not yet been partnered by the company.

Domainex Extends Discovery STAR Award support to his programme.

Domainex plans to announce a second round of the scheme later this year.

Domainex, the Cambridge-based drug discovery CRO, will extend its successful and widely-reported Discovery STAR Award in 2014. The first STAR Award was made to Prof Vilmos Fulop of Warwick University, and is enabling the discovery of novel Chagas disease drugs through provision of virtual-screening

By seeding exciting projects with drug discovery support provided by its laboratories, the Domainex Discovery STAR Award can bridge the gap between traditional academic grant funding and larger translational funds, such as those awarded by schemes like the MRC DPFS, or Wellcome Trust SDDI. In a significant extension to the scheme, Domainex has now opened the STAR Award to biotech companies to help them on their way to raising funds.

‘Start-ups and small biotech companies can suffer from exactly the same funding challenges as academics when it comes to translating great research into new drug discovery projects. The

Biomedical Catalyst Feasibility Award is a superb way of closing this gap, but we think there are many other exciting projects out there which could be gamechanging for healthcare with just a small amount of nurturing to get them off the ground,’ said Joanne McCudden, Domainex’s Head of Business Development.

Domainex has always been committed to the support of exciting and cutting-edge translational research and its Discovery STAR Award is one way of showing its proactive and innovative approach in this field. To find out more about Domainex’s Discovery STAR Award competition, please see: www.domainex.co.uk/discovery-star -award.asp.

14

Member News

Spring 2014

15

SBRI Healthcare Launches New Competitions, with £5 Million to Invest SBRI Project Manager, Nick Offer and Board Members - Karen Livingstone, National Director for SBRI Healthcare; Stephen Browning Head of SBRI and SMART at Technology Strategy Board (TSB) SBRI Lead; Peter Ellingworth, Chair of SBRI Healthcare

which benefit patients and support business growth. In the NHS we have world leading clinical expertise and through programmes such as SBRI Healthcare we can work with business experts to maximise the benefit to the NHS and the economy.’

Peter Ellingworth, Chair of the SBRI Management Board and Chief Executive of the Association of British Healthcare Industries welcomes the competition:

SBRI Healthcare, an NHS England funded initiative to develop innovative solutions towards better health outcomes, recently announced it will distribute a further £5 million of government investment to support small business this year.

Part of Innovation Health and Wealth, the SBRI Healthcare programme provides seed funding for the development of novel solutions to major health issues. In a series of health related competitions, industry is set a challenge which results in fully funded development contracts between the awarded company and the NHS.

With £17.6 million invested to date in support of 66 SMEs, 2014 promises to be a massive year for the programme with a number of new competitions and record funding set to be announced over the coming months.

Miles Ayling, Director of Innovation, NHS England: ‘Innovation Health and Wealth set out the agenda to

Sir Mike Rawlins, Chair of the Eastern Academic Health Science Network (EAHSN), who leads the programme on behalf of NHS England, commented:

For more information on the SBRI Healthcare programme or to register interest for key up-dates visit the new SBRI website at www.sbrihealthcare.co.uk

‘The NHS is a great market place for new technology companies. Through the SBRI programme we can find new ways of solving old problems – Sir Michael Rawlins – Chairman of the EAHSN and Peter Ellingworth - Chair of SBRI Healthcare

The initiative is managed by One Nucleus member Health Enterprise East and championed by the newly formed Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), which aim to promote UK economic growth whilst addressing unmet health needs and enhancing the take up of known best practice.

spread best practice across the NHS whilst at the same time supporting economic growth and wealth creation. The Small Business Research Initiative is a way for NHS England to generate a pipeline of new ideas and technologies with predominantly small to medium sized companies. The ideas in this sector are often highly innovative and exciting – bringing a step change to the way the NHS can deliver quality care for patients.’

‘The med tech industry is an important success story for the UK economy. Many companies already work closely with the NHS but the SBRI programme supports new partnerships to develop and succeed. Through SBRI the companies can gain funding but also the expert support of the NHS to develop products that are truly reflecting NHS need. I hope many companies take a good look and apply for this programme.’

Member News

Spring 2014

£3m Dementia Consortium Launched to Boost Dementia Drug Discovery Research UK and MRC Technology’s networks in the UK and overseas to develop early findings into validated drug targets. Academic teams will work with MRC Technology’s world-leading Centre for Therapeutics Discovery to help confirm viable drug targets for further development.

As the UK hosted the first G8 summit on dementia research, a new £3 million Dementia Consortium bringing together research experts from the charitable, academic and private sectors was launched to expedite development of new drugs for dementia. The Dementia Consortium unites the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK with life science technology transfer experts MRC Technology and two pharmaceutical companies; Eisai and Lilly.

The Consortium seeks to end the

long wait since the last dementia treatment by closing the gap between fundamental academic research and the pharmaceutical industry’s drug discovery programmes. The Dementia Consortium will provide funding, resources and expertise to both capitalise upon and increase the number of new drug targets emerging from across the academic sector that show promise of bringing patient benefit.

The Dementia Consortium will fund leading academic dementia research experts from Alzheimer’s

Promising targets will be made available in the first instance to the Consortium’s pharmaceutical member companies Eisai and Lilly who are able to agree terms of collaboration with the academic partner and share data from any previous work on particular drug targets.

The Consortium has made £3m available (£2m from Alzheimer’s Research UK and £500k from both Eisai and Lilly) for academic teams in the UK and internationally, to apply for funding to develop their targets. Applications are now being accepted at www.dementiaconsortium.org, with projects underway mid-year.

Expansion to Manchester ©Pip Rustage www.piprustage.co.uk

Commenting on the move to the science park, Lorna Cuddon, Managing Director of Zyme Communications, said: ‘Having bases in both the Cambridge and North-West biotech clusters is strategically important for Zyme.

Manchester Science Park offers a great facility with excellent links to both industry and academia.’

Zyme Communications Ltd (Zyme), the public relations and marketing agency specialising in the life science sector, announced it has taken space at the MedTECH Centre (www.medtechcentre.co.uk) located in Manchester Science Park to complement its St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge, site.

Founded in 2010, Zyme provides communications support ranging from small press release projects, through to fully integrated marketing communications programmes involving strategy and planning, branding, digital, design and development. Zyme’s team of

life science communications specialists has both in-house and agency-side experience, and offers the flexibility to support both earlystage companies and large multinationals.

For more information please visit www.zymecommunications.com or contact info@zymecommunications.com

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New Talent

October 2011

Spring 2014

Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable - Moving Ideas Forward Left to right: Daniel Perez (President of OBR), Oliver Hardick (CEO Puridify), Tom Haywood (CFO/co-founder), Iwan Roberts (COO), Jens Eckstein (Head of SR One).

conclusion, the top 35 teams from each contest head to a OneStart boot camp in either London or California.

The boot camps took place over the course of a weekend and were aimed at helping the semi-finalists focus and develop their business ideas. Here they were able to meet and network with mentors from the biotech industry who were able to impart valuable insight into the current entrepreneurial climate in biotechnology. According to previous entrants, this is perhaps one of the most beneficial aspects of the contest.

The mission at the Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable (OBR) is simple: ‘Moving ideas forward’.

They do this by helping young, business-minded individuals from around the world advance their careers in the biotech industry by bringing together academic scientists, students, and industry professionals in a way that benefits everyone. This primarily student led organisation is the largest of its type in the world, with chapters in the United States, the United Kingdom and, most recently, Southeast Asia.

OBR hosts a number of events that connect early-career researchers, industrial scientists and business leaders through engaging debates, panels and workshops geared towards facilitating discussion around the biotech industry as a whole. These events allow for networking and collaborations to form, often between quite unrelated groups of people. OBR’s flagship event is the OneStart Competition; the largest biotech business ideas contest of its kind.

This year the event is bigger than

ever, with nearly 300 teams competing for the two winning positions and associated prizes.

Aimed at building momentum for up-and-coming biotech startups, the competition attracts aspiring life science entrepreneurs under the age of 35. Those interested in competing can start their own team, or join a team looking for a particular field of expertise. OBR’s main collaborator has been SROne, the corporate arm of GlaxoSmithKline, but following the success of last year’s winning team, Puridify, the OneStart Competition has expanded into the Americas, and Europe. This expansion was bolstered by new partnerships this year with Roche and Johnson & Johnson.

This year the UK winners will receive £100K in prize money, free lab space at Stevenage BioScience Catalyst, membership to One Nucleus , the life science business network, and business and intellectual property support. The quality of entries has been outstanding, and as the competition draws closer to its

The members of winning team Puridify (Oliver Hardick, Iwan Roberts and Tom Haywood) have continued to support the competition as regular guests at OneStart events where they encourage new teams, sharing their experience and advice. Since winning the competition these savvy individuals have gone from strength to strength, doubling their winnings by leveraging a TSB Smart award.

With OBR’s continued expansion and the OneStart Competition in full swing, these are exciting times for the organisation, who fully acknowledge ‘we wouldn’t be where we are now without dedicated and indefatigable chapter teams around the world and the help of outstanding collaborators.’

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New Talent

October 2011

Spring 2014

Engaging the Public and Young People with Scientific Research Ian Harvey, Head of Biology at Hills Road Sixth Form College

which I’m a patron. Hundreds of talks covering the STEM subjects at all levels, for all ages. We estimate we have had over 35,000 visitors and overwhelmingly positive feedback. There’s a real public appetite to learn about science and we need to harness this enthusiasm and build on it.

Contributors came from our universities, museums, research institutes, companies, schools and colleges and other establishment local to Cambridge. Without exception, our scientists got a real buzz from engaging the public and certainly recognise how important this is for the future.’

University Physiology Department.

These have been truly inspiring events on which the students thrive.

Public engagement events

In 2012 the Society of Biology established National Biology Week, a series of national and regional events celebrating and promoting all aspects of biology. In October that year, the first Big Biology Day (BBD) was organised at Hills Road, a partnership event involving Society of Biology, Hills Road College and Cambridge Science Festival, which attracted over 500 visitors. Now established as one of the flagship events of Biology Week One Nucleus’ members are invited In days gone by, the public each October, the second BBD was to become involved in outreach and perception of science was that it twice as big attracting over 1,000 education. There is enthusiasm visitors. Planning is underway for was the dark arts; white-coated, amongst scientists to be involved, slightly odd individuals working in a BBD 2014 with sponsorship from here are some ways how: clandestine way on projects which MedImmune and many previous would strike fear into the hearts of STEM Ambassadors participants keen to return. many if they knew what was going STEMNET (the Science, Work experience on. How things have changed.

Technology, Engineering and Scientists are now actively Work experience gives students a Mathematics Network) creates encouraged to communicate their valuable insight into potential opportunities to inspire young career paths in science. The length work to a public audience and in people. The STEM Ambassadors can be anything from a single visit many cases, funding requires scheme is coordinated by regional scientists to explain what they do to a series of visits, or longer teams throughout the country. Find and why they do it. lengths of time ranging from a few out more here, weeks to a whole year. Students Over the last 10 years, Ian Harvey, www.stemnet.org.uk/ambassadors gain firsthand experience and have Head of Biology at Hills Road Sixth even been known to get their Form College in Cambridge, has Talks in schools names on scientific papers. seen a proliferation of the role of In 2013-14,18 speakers ranging If you’d like to know more and ‘outreach and engagement’ within from PhD students through to a organisations, research institutes explore opportunities, please get in Nobel Laureate and including local and higher education . The science touch with; Ian Harvey, Head of biology-based companies, have Biology, Hills Road Sixth Form community recognises the introduced their work to Hills Road College, Cambridge importance of educating the public College students. about why scientific research is iharvey@hillsroad.ac.uk vital - economically, socially and Visits to research institutes and companies educationally.

‘My patch is Cambridge and so much is happening,’ says Ian. ‘We’ve just seen the 20th Cambridge Science Festival of

Over the last few years students have visited the Sanger and Babraham Institutes, Napp Pharmaceuticals, GSK, Bluegnome, the Botanic Garden and Cambridge

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One Nucleus News

October 2011

Spring 2014

Enabling translational research in the UK

After a successful launch in July 2013, ON Helix is back on the 2 July 2014 at Churchill College, Cambridge. ON Helix is a translational research conference for the life science industry and academia on the challenges of turning early stage inventions and ideas into innovative health treatments.

One of the key issues described by many researchers is overcoming the innovation gaps on the translational research pathway.

This includes identifying the key barriers, finding funding and engaging the right networks.

By combining keynote presentations from high profile global leaders, practical information and exceptional world class case studies ON Helix offers a unique knowledge-sharing platform addressing these challenges.

A unique interactive programme The ON Helix programme gives the platform to fantastic speakers all delivering their message in a short presentation format followed by plenty of time for panel discussion and interaction with the audience.

This stream will feature a round table discussion between key enablers of translational research in the UK including the Wellcome Trust, SROne, NOCRI and Syncona Partners. The speakers will address entrepreneur and venture capitalist, how their initiatives are helping Sir Gregory Winter, Master, Trinity meet the challenges identified and College, Cambridge and Professor described during the day.

Sir Tom Blundell, who will offer their insights into the translational Networking opportunities research pathway and take ON Helix is also about sharing ideas questions from the floor. and meeting new potential Discussion on target validation collaborators; the 300 delegates challenges who attend the event will have plenty of opportunity to network: This session will focus on the current approaches to target ● During the long breaks and identification for innovative drinks reception on 2 July in medicines; what data package the lovely Moller Centre constitutes target validation in the Engaging with to the eyes of a pharmaceutical company ● exhibitors there on the day and which technologies are enabling researchers to secure the ● Using the partnering system required data. to organise meetings in The different approaches will be discussed by representatives of some of the most innovative companies in the field including Merck Sharp & Dohme, GE Healthcare, Neusentis and EBI. Case studies

This stream will feature interactive case studies from companies who have successfully translated assets from their technology. They will share their stories of how they packaged the asset(s) they The programme is organised in four developed, what the key decision main parts: making points were and how they used networks to help achieve VIP Keynote Presentation and success. panel debate The conference will be opened with a Keynote Address from Dr Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President Innovative Medicines and Early Research at AstraZeneca. He will be followed by a VIP panel discussion chaired by Sir Mike Rawlins, Chairman of the Eastern Academic Health Science Network (EAHSN) and President of the Royal Society of Medicine.

The panel will comprise Hermann Hauser - serial Cambridge

advance

●

Attending the pre ON Helix drinks reception and BioNewsRound awards organised the evening before (1 July) at Chesterford Research Park

We look forward to seeing you on 2 July at Churchill College.

For more information on ON Helix do check out www.onhelix.com or contact Aline at aline@onenucleus.com.

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One Nucleus News

October 2011

Spring 2014

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Genesis 2013 Roundup – Ensuring Nothing is Lost in Translation Dr Louise Wood Department of Health

Wales, with various activities such as the Arthurian Venture Fund and Ser Cymru; and the Greater London Authority through MedCity and a soon to be launched investment fund. It was suggested UK Government could further incentivise early stage investors through greater tax breaks to align early life science investing with charitable donations. This sparked a flurry of comments from the floor, including that we still don’t have sufficient scale in the UK at seed and series A investment stages.

The annual Genesis Conference saw 650 delegates participate in what has become one of the must attend conferences in the life science calendar.

Breakout streams looked at some of the sector’s most creative deals to enable participants to gain insight into their strategy, for example the rationale behind the AstraZeneca/Bristol-Myers Squibb collaboration on the Amylin diabetes product. The debate went so far as to ask why one of the companies didn’t just buy the other one (the acquisition was announced a week later!). Insights into selected deals and strategies,

(Continued on page 21)

Sir Salvador Moncada , UCL

be used as a ubiquitous term to describe early stage research as it moves from bench toward bedside.

The availability of capital for biopharma companies was looking brighter at Genesis 2013 than it The scene was set by our four had for several years, with an open excellent plenary speakers, Dr IPO window in the US, venture Louise Wood (Department of funds raising capital and some Health), Roel Bulthuis (MS great deals happening between Ventures), Sir Salvador Moncada companies. There were a number (UCL) and Mike Ward (Informa). of other reasons to be cheerful too, Delegates heard of the progress such as the FDA’s Breakthrough being made in changing what had Medicines Programme being much been perceived as a relatively more effective than anticipated, hostile environment in which to Sun Pharma showing that it doesn’t undertake experimental medicine, have to take as long to become a towards the recent successes which $2Bn company as it took to get to sees 99% of NHS Trusts engaged in $1Bn, and the heating up of the US clinical research and 68% involved IPO market for biotechs. There in commercial contract research. were some challenges through the Add to this £1Bn per year spend by year though - the FDA took a the UK Government on clinical somewhat negative view of research infrastructure, human consumer-directed genetic testing, capital and projects being driven by the top 10 pharma saw a decline in relationships between better revenues of $17Bn, and emerging research in the NHS and improved markets demonstrated they would healthcare outcomes for patients, a provide a bumpy ride for entrants. better international competitive standing of the UK to win The lunchtime keynote session was investment in the sector and the led by Professor Chris McGuigan economic benefit arising from a and Kit Malthouse, both of whom healthier, more productive set out examples of how workforce for UK plc.

Government funding could help stimulate growth in the sector: ‘Translational Research’ seems to

One Nucleus News

Spring 2014

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agreeing to premium pricing. One of the predictions from Mike Ward was that we would see more deals involving medical technology players, as drug companies feel the need to generate evidence for regulators and enhance life cycle management of products.

These outcomes are already informing and helping to shape the agenda for Genesis 2014. Retaining the insights to deal, investment and R&D strategies in the Biopharma space, we will this year bring in aspects of the med tech space that are driving (or hindering) the development and adoption of innovative solutions as well as looking at the progress towards a more integrated healthcare system through convergence, data and Health IT. This theme, will inform the Scrip – One Nucleus Plenary Debate, which will be in association with the European MediScience Awards, and focus on the question ‘What sort of companies do we need to be successful in the current and future biomedical landscape?’.

Video highlights of Genesis 2013 and the emerging details for Genesis 2014 are available at www.genesisconference.com John Hodgson, SCRIP Intelligence

In the UK the Government’s ongoing commitment to the sector is great news, along with the continued investment in the infrastructure and talent required to discover and develop innovative medicines. We mentioned earlier clinical research investment via the National Institute for Health Research System, but equally key is the recognition that breakthrough medicines are only discovered if first class biomedical research is undertaken and that knowledge is then used to develop better, more alongside debates around how we effective treatments. The revolution can truly progress the application of in biomedical research capacity and biomarker development, imaging associated data has encouraged the and natural products, encouraged pharma industry to increasingly look delegates to consider where their to external sources of innovation to company strategy, product and deal supplement their internal efforts. making strategies were sitting in The challenges faced now are the the wider sector. need to nurture those external The day ended with one of the most research leaders in academia, to innovative, and perhaps for the ensure they deliver knowledge in a panellists one of the most manner that is attractive to industry challenging, debate formats. John CEOs, so the ideas are taken Hodgson chaired, asking the forward and converted to new, panellists to explain what their commercially viable products that suggestions would be to enhance help patients. The pressures to the success and competitiveness of reduce healthcare budgets and UK biopharma. The ideas included demonstrate value for money mean greater pharma/NHS/payer regulators and payers are seeking collaboration on new medicine greater windows of benefit before adoption, training of our bioentrepreneurs through placements in e.g. Boston, creating exit routes for early investors as companies are built, and fully accessing the philanthropic capital pools in order to reach the threshold from which a value proposition attractive to larger investors can be launched.

There was also some debate on whether UK rising stars sent to Boston would come back, and how early stage investors could exit via non-M&A routes if the London market remained closed to biotechs.

October 2011

One Nucleus News

October 2011

Spring 2014

programme was rounded off by John Carroll of FierceBiotech sharing his insights on whether the IPO bubble will last, AstraZeneca’s move to Cambridge, and the increasing move to a digital world.

Highlights of the discussions included:

 External collaborations and Since our Autumn newsletter two Life Science Leadership sessions have been held, focusing on neuroscience and antibodies in oncology. Where possible the presentations from these events are available on the One Nucleus website.

Addressing the Neurodegeneration Challenge Research and Collaborations 14 November 2013

World

 According to Sergi Trilla of Trifermed, an expert on business development strategy and partnership identification, Canbex has the ‘perfect’ approach to developing a business model and commercial partnering strategy. Leveraging non-dilutive funding and expertise in the founding labs, a gap analysis approach to identifying the right partners, and securing an excellent investor base, are the key elements others could follow

acquisitions lead toward a goal of securing a technology for every challenge

 The biggest technology challenge is target validation, for novelty and differentiation in the crowded space

 Mid-pharma companies, which include a high proportion of privately owned businesses, can represent a key opportunity over targeting large pharma when it comes to partnering for emerging companies

This Neuroscience Seminar, hosted

by Charles Russell and in  The hot IPO market in the US. is association with the Licensing making private company rounds Executive Society of Great Britain & more expensive. We could  Due to the recruitment into Ireland, saw presenters from BTG, therefore see European Technology Transfer Offices Medius Associates, UCL Business, companies start to appear more (TTOs) of industry professionals, Canbex, DenDRoN and Trifermed attractive to US investors they are now more like biotech describe aspects of the R&D companies than academic infrastructure in the UK, their  Pharma companies looking at groups – and consequently experiences of creating new restructuring and relocation should be treated as such neuroscience companies, and the seem to be placing a premium through negotiations and deal partnering search and deal making on location at a time when one valuations process. This led to a panel debate could argue that geography has on the challenges in the academia- Antibody-based Therapeutics in never been less relevant industry interface.

Oncology - 11 February 2014 Personalised Medicine is our next Leadership Event, on 22 May 2014 Antibody-based Therapies in Highlights of the discussions Oncology, hosted by the Babraham at Chesterford Research Park with included: Research Institute, saw companies Lab Corp as the headline sponsor.

The event will cover emerging  CNS was found to be the second including MedImmune, technologies, regulatory most common disease area in PharmaVentures, IRAD developments, options in the top licensing deals of 2012.

Pharmaceuticals, Polytherics, Fcompanion diagnostic development, This was against a backdrop of star, Crescendo Biologics, Silicon and assessing clinical trial locations. discussions around CNS being Valley Bank, NovaSecta and increasingly neglected by Epistem present on technologies Pharma over recent years driving the immune-mediated cancer therapy field, and future  Out of 27 large pharma pipelines in terms of new targets companies surveyed, over 90% and combination therapies. The declared an interest in CNS, financing and deal trends around higher than any other these developments was discussed, therapeutic area specifically the importance of being  UCL is now ranked 1st in Europe deal ready, partner selection, and for CNS research, and 2nd in the current investment trends. The

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One Nucleus News

October 2011

Spring 2014

One Nucleus at BIO2014 In 2014 the BIO International Convention moves to San Diego, California from 23-26 June.

executives from different geographical regions to learn peerto-peer about activities and opportunities elsewhere.

support whilst away.

Supported by unrivalled venture capital and NIH funding, and with The convention will highlight 2,300+ biotech companies with California's vibrant biotechnology On Tuesday 24 June Breakfast more than 1,400 biomedical industry, and leveraging One products in the development Panel Debate will be held at the Nucleus relationships with our MOU Hilton San Diego Bay Front pipeline, the Californian biotech partners, BIOCOM and BayBio, our (adjacent to the Convention Centre) scene offers immensely exciting members will be able to maximise from 07.30 – 09.00 where the topic collaboration and deal opportunities their return on participating. for our members. Do make use of will be ‘Patient Medical Records and the above support and activities to their use in Healthcare Research One Nucleus will once again host maximise your benefit of attending two events in collaboration with our and Evidence-based Prescribing’ BIO2014. chaired by Steven Burrill.

US and UK partners:, To view the Flight Centre BT deal On Monday 23 June One Nucleus please visit http:// Don’t forget, One Nucleus members BioExecutive Dinner will be held at www.onenucleus.com/news? can get the best flight and hotel the prestigious San Diego Yacht id=3085 rates by booking through our Club and hosted by our very own Support Supplier, Flight Centre British Business Ambassador, Business Travel (Cambridge) as Harriet Fear. The dinner will be an Tony Jones, One Nucleus well as benefiting from their 24/7 informal setting for 100+ senior

One Nucleus Flight Centre Deals Flight Centre is your local business travel service and part of the worldwide Flight Centre Limited Group. They provide business travel services tailored to the needs of growing businesses, focusing on exceptional customer service and best value.

If you're a growing business and prefer the option of dealing face to face with a personal travel manager, then a Flight Centre business travel specialist provides local service, with a world of experience, focusing on exceptional customer service.

Look out for future packages for One Nucleus Members: 19 September BioPharm America, Boston 6—8 October AdvaMed, Chicago For more information, please contact louise.young@flightcentre.co.uk

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One Nucleus News

October 2011

Spring 2014

Training - New Courses for 2014 14 May, 9 October, 5 November Introduction to IP 21 May Introduction to Drug Discovery – from idea to clinical candidate 12 June, 17 September, 12 November Introduction to Regulatory Affairs 8 September Introduction to Drug Development for Scientific Professionals 9 September Introduction to Drug Development for NonScientific Professionals Biological Safety: Management and Practice Training Course developed in partnership with SJC Safety Training and Consulting. The first One Nucleus course to be IOSH accredited, it is aimed at biological safety officers and those with a broader remit in laboratories or scientific establishments such as facilities management, laboratory design and research project management.

predicting future trends, identifing technology gaps and understanding a competitor’s strengths and weaknesses over time, information that is not specifically used by IP professionals.

Introduction to Contracts in conjunction with Marks & Clerk. The course will be aimed at anyone involved in negotiating and managing contracts in a life sciences firm or university tech Introduction to Regulatory transfer office. This practical course Affairs developed in conjunction will cover the basic contract law with GRS. This course is designed issues, for example, privity, as a ‘first step’ for those who are warranties and indemnities and exploring regulatory affairs as a competition law. The course will profession or have started their first also cover different types of regulatory role. It is also suitable contract for life science companies for those working in associated such as assignments, confidentiality areas such as manufacturing and agreements, R&D contracts and marketing, as well as support staff. manufacturing and process development, to name a few.

Introduction to IP: Identifying Opportunities in the IP All of our courses can be adapted Landscape developed in and tailored to meet your needs, conjunction with CambridgeIP. The and can be delivered cost course introduces delegates to effectively in-house so please Intellectual Property (IP) contact training@onenucleus.com Landscaping, its uses, benefits and to find out more. limitations. IP Landscaping provides information to underpin business and IP strategies, and is not limited to understanding patent filings, inand out-licensing, partnering and litigation. IP Landscape is also a dynamic analysis tool and extracting additional insights from it can be very valuable for

11 September The Safe Use & Management of Laboratory Gases 24 September Introduction to Managing Life Science Projects (2 day course)

eLSi The eLSi project (e-learning for Life Science Internationalisation) is now entering its second year with a range of activities of benefit to One Nucleus members taking place. eLSi is a European project managed by a consortium of six partners from Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK. Its aim is to develop eLearning tools for intercultural business and culture training focused on managers in the life science sector. e-learning tools will be available in early 2014 and will be tested at country specific workshops. For more information about the 2014 workshops, please contact aline@onenucleus.com For more information on the project please visit www.elsi-project.eu

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Member News

Spring 2014

Facilities Management Richard Dickinson, Director of Specialist Services, One Nucleus

Don’t forget that One Nucleus offers Facilities Management consultancy to members at a discounted rate.

purchasing and budgeting.

Currently consulting at Cantab Biopharmaceuticals, Fahy Gurteen Laboratories and Iontas Ltd, Richard Dickinson Richard has previously consulted (richard@onenucleus.com or 01223 for a number of One Nucleus 896453), One Nucleus’ Director of members on various projects Specialist Services, has over 15 including Astex Therapeutics, years’ experience as a Facilities Babraham Bioscience Technologies, Manager and has worked for more Pathology Diagnostics, Zoragen and than 20 years in the life science Spirogen Ltd. sector.

Richard can provide help by phone Richard provides project or email as well as providing full management for office and onsite consultancy. laboratory fit-outs and can advise on equipment service contracts, maintenance contracts, cleaning contracts, utility bills, insurance,

Gold Members

Silver Members

Non Members

£500

£600

£750

Consultancy Day Rate

Purchasing and Support Suppliers the One Nucleus website.

Purchasing

of products than ever before! Our new structure will also allow us to In the first quarter of 2014 the work more proactively with you Purchasing Consortium tendered for than we have historically. If you a preferred supplier for life science have any suggestions I would be products; Sigma-Aldrich were more than happy to hear them, the awarded the 3 year contract to benefits will be there for companies start on 1 May. that work with us.

This includes a core list of over 300 items and a discount matrix for all life science products.

Jon Rock, Tender Manager for Sigma-Aldrich commented ‘Many thanks for your huge vote of confidence in choosing SigmaAldrich as the successful bidder for the One Nucleus Life Science Tender.

We hope to reward your confidence by offering you exceptional service, genuine technical innovation and great value on a broader selection

We should be contacting you shortly to see how we can help with the implementation of this deal so watch this space!’

For more information please contact jon.rock@sial.com.

Support Suppliers The Support Suppliers continue to grow in number and offer discounts to ALL our members. For the full list please see the Purchasing pages on

One Nucleus can perform a costbenefit analysis for Silver members thinking of upgrading or new companies wishing to join as Gold members. Please contact Richard Dickinson on 01223 896453 or richard@onenucleus.com.

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One Nucleus News

October 2011

New Members  Dzaleta Consulting Ltd  Glentham Life Sciences             

Ltd Mu Innovations Abeterno Ltd DefiniGEN Canopy & Co Ltd Highbury Regulatory Science Limited ClinicaGeno Ltd CamStent Ltd Optometria Ltd SAL Scientific Ltd Med-Tek Solutions Ltd NanoScientium Ltd Brunswick IP Ltd SCH Global Ltd

 Johnson & Johnson          

Innovation Dean of School, School of Health, Sport & Bioscience Saxby Life Science Consulting Biovision Consultants Limited Silicon Valley Bank Markel UK Limited Barker Brettell LLP Imanova Ltd SPD Development Company Ltd Pope Woodhead and Associates ltd Banook Group

Spring 2014

One Nucleus Sponsors Corporate Patron

 AnaBioTec  Results International Group LLP

 Winston & Strawn London LLP

 PEQLAB Ltd  Scottish Development

Corporate Sponsors

International Epidarex Capital Acacia Pharma Relocate Cambridge Prism Ideas Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Commercial Services  ZinC Health Innovation  Odgers Berndtson

    

One Nucleus Events

Partners

Date

Event

Venue

30 Apr 14

Network Meeting

Taylor Vinters, Cambridge

7 May 14

BioWednesday

LBIC, London

22 May 14

Life Science Leadership Series

Chesterford Research Park

28 May 14

Network Meeting

Cambridge

11 Jun 14

BioWednesday

EIP, London

18 Jun 14

Network Meeting summer Social

Doubletree by Hilton, Cambridge

2 Jul 14

ON Helix

Churchill College, Cambridge

9 Jul 14

BioWednesday

Imperial Consultants, London

21 Jul 14

M11 MedTech Forum

Harlow

3 Sep 14

BioWednesday

Charles Russell, London

17 Sep 14

Life Science Leadership Series

Chesterford Research Park, Cambridge

25 Sep 14

Network Meeting

Cambridge

1 Oct 14

BioWednesday

Bristows, London

15 Oct 14

Network Meeting

Stevenage BioScience Catalyst

22 Oct 14

M11 MedTech Forum

Harlow

Media Partners

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