LBICnews - London BioScience Innovation Centre

Winter 2016

LBICnews From the London BioScience Innovation Centre

WELCOME

Synthace announced as WEF’s only UK Technology Pioneer Synthace, provider of nextgeneration software and processes to exponentially improve productivity in bioscience, is the only UK company to have been selected by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of the world’s ‘30 most promising Technology Pioneers 2016’.

pharmaceutical, agriscience and industrial

Despite uncertainty over recent developments such as Brexit, our clients continue to make advances that will have a positive impact internationally. Innovations such as Proxima Concepts’ combined vaccine for use in resource-poor countries or AQIX’s fluid that prolongs the viability of donor organs are great examples of what the biotech sector is capable of. RVC Business is a valuable resource for life science companies alongside LBIC, drawing on the world-class research and facilities at the Royal Veterinary College to meet companies’ varied needs. Effective research and development also relies on effective staff, and in this issue we feature in2scienceUK, a non-profit organisation working to promote equality and diversity in the scientific community in order to attract the most talented people.

biotechnology industries to significantly improve biological experimentation and manufacturing processes by using Antha, Synthace’s software and operating system.

Lucy Garnsworthy, Editor

This is in turn helping to find solutions to global problems in healthcare, food production and energy. The World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers community recognises early-stage

In this issue: Synthace: Technology Pioneers

Lead story

Originally a UCL spin-out company,

companies from around the world whose

Synthace has been an LBIC client since

technologies and innovations should have a

RVC Business Page 5

2011, and expanded into laboratory and

significant impact on business and society.

office space in LBIC in late 2015. Synthace

Every year, around 30 companies are

In2scienceUK: Promoting access Page 6

enables its customers across the

selected as Technology Pioneers and given

Fabrican’s conductive spray Page 7

Continued on page 3.

SERVICES FOR THE BUSINESS AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY

Alkol plays key role in exploring new biofuel production routes

Client News Round-up

Proxima Concepts developing prophylactic plague vaccine

In September 2016, the BIOFOREVER (BIO-based products from FORestry via Economically Viable European Routes) consortium began a three-year €16.2 million

Proxima Concepts has been awarded a

project for the conversion of woody

£500,000 grant by Innovate UK to develop

biomass to value-adding chemical building

its oral vaccine platform for use in

blocks. The consortium of 15 European

treatment of plague and Middle East

companies, including LBIC client Alkol,

respiratory syndrome (MERS). The

covers the entire spectrum of biofuels

12-month project is a collaboration

production, from feedstock to the customer.

between Proxima, the Defence Science and

Alkol’s role is to provide non-woody

Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the

feedstock for the trials in the form of dry

University of Strathclyde.

crushed residue from its proprietary

The prophylactic vaccine will consist of an

sugarcane variety EUnergyCane.

injected priming dose followed by a Alkol’s sugarcane bagasse

self-administered oral capsule that is stable

commercialisation routes for the most

at room temperature. DSTL will validate efficacy of the vaccines. This approach is

The project will include delivering promising value chains in industrial scale

generate immunity in the mucosa, at the

Cancer Research Technology forms Artios Pharma to focus on DNA damage response

site of entry of many dangerous pathogens.

Cancer Research Technology (CRT) and SV

HRH Prince Joachim of Denmark officially

Oral immunisation is a very promising

Life Sciences have joined forces to launch

opened Unibio’s new plant in Kalundborg,

approach for combatting respiratory and

Artios Pharma, a new company to develop

Denmark, in November. This is the world’s

intestinal diseases, and work has also been

drugs targeting the DNA damage response

first commercial U-Loop fermentation

published showing potential for protection

in cancer.

production facility, with capacity to convert

against bird ‘flu and infantile diarrhoea.”

CRT Discovery Laboratories have

methane into around 80 tonnes per year of

collaborated with Simon Bolton of the

UniProtein®, Unibio’s proprietary single cell

Francis Crick Institute and Geoff Higgins

protein.

and Gillies McKenna from the CRUK/MRC

UniProtein® provides a sustainable source

Oxford Institute to develop the portfolio of

of animal feed in a growing market, and a

particularly relevant for use in resourcepoor countries where the logistics of storage, distribution and administration are problematic. Dr New, CSO of Proxima Concepts and the project leader, said “our oral formulations

projects.

LBIC welcomes these new clients to the Centre: • Biotech Executive • Cognetivity

bio-refineries.

Unibio’s new plant opened by Prince of Denmark

recent study by Biotechnology and

Artios has licensed its two lead DNA

Bioengineering showed that Unibio’s high

damage response programmes from CRT

mass-transfer leads to significant

and, through an ongoing research

improvements in yields. Unlike soy bean-

collaboration, will work with CRT Discovery

based animal feed, UniProtein® production

Laboratories to progress the lead

does not necessitate conversion of land for

programmes, and discover and develop

agriculture, and the only by-product is

additional promising drug targets selected

water. All output from the new plant has

from CRUK’s portfolio of DNA damage

been sold to Vestjyllands Andel, a Danish

repair research.

animal feed manufacturer.

• Pneumolabs

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London BioScience Innovation Centre News Winter 2016

Continued from front page access to WEF initiatives and events. A

platform of the World Economic Forum, it

technology and significant dedication of our

committee of 68 academics, entrepreneurs,

will be able to scale and share its

team. At Synthace we want to empower

venture capitalists and corporate executives

technology and achieve a larger impact.”

biologists around the world, enabling them

selected the 2016 Technology Pioneers

Tim Fell, Synthace’s Chief Executive

from hundreds of applicants. “We welcome Synthace in this group of

to better understand and work with the

Officer, will attend the World Economic

complexities of living systems and help us

Forum Annual Meeting of the New

all to build a bigger, stronger bioeconomy

extraordinary pioneers,” said Fulvia

Champions 2017, which brings together

and a more sustainable future. We are

Montresor, Head of Technology Pioneers at

leading international figures from industry,

confident that this WEF recognition will

the World Economic Forum. “Synthace is

government and academia to address

help accelerate further growth and expand

among those companies that help shape

global challenges. He said: “We are

our global impact.”

the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a

delighted and proud to have been awarded

technological revolution that will

such a prestigious honour by the WEF. As

Applications for the 2017 class of

fundamentally alter the way we live, work

the only UK company to be in the list, it

Technology Pioneers must be

and relate to one another. Through the

represents the outstanding quality of our

submitted by 3 February 2017, 23.59 CET.

WEF Technology Pioneers What makes a Technology Pioneer? The WEF defines its criteria for Technology Pioneers as follows: 1. Innovation Truly innovative in the development of a new technology or the novel application of existing technology. 2. Potential impact Potential to make a substantial and long-term impact on business and society. 3. Working prototype Proof of concept or product on the market, or be in phase II clinical trials or beyond for life sciences companies. 4. Viability Well formulated plans for developments and goals.

Kickstarter Twitter Airbnb Spotify Wikimedia

PREVIOUS

Google

2016 TECHNOLOGY PIONEERS BY SECTOR

2016 TECHNOLOGY PIONEERS BY COUNTRY

Energy (2)

USA (22)

Environment/ natural resources security (4)

France (2) Luxembourg (2)

Internet (9) Financial Systems (2) Health (6) Food security (2)

SECTOR

PREVIOUS YEARS’ TECHNOLOGY PIONEERS INCLUDE

Production (5) (includes Synthace)


Canada (1) Israel (1) Sweden (1) United Kingdom (1)

COUNTRY

5. Leadership Visionary team with the capabilities to drive the company towards success.

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AQIX Providing a personalised medicine solution

AQIX recently won an International Life Sciences Award from Global Health and Pharma (GHP) for ‘Best human biopsied tissue preservative solution’ for its patented AQIX® RS-I.

therapies intravenously. Specimen stability

72 hours. This has important advantages

is also a key factor in the growing market

both for the logistics and diagnostics of

of regenerative medicine and stem cells,

samples within an institution and even more

where AQIX’s product can play a vital role.

so when shipping of samples across

Founder Dr Douglas Rees explained

international distances is required. “Looking ahead, we are embarking on a

further: “The drivers for the increasing AQIX® RS-I is a simulated, human

demand for intact biopsy and cell samples

major marketing initiative to cover

interstitial fluid, and unlike other

are in enabling precise diagnostics in

EU/USA/RoW so that all procurement

preservative solutions it can be used at

general and specifically a necessity for the

agencies will be able to enjoy this advanced

either body temperature or under ‘cold’

emerging ‘personalised medicine’ field,

technology in the management of sample

conditions. AQIX® RS-I can be used for

reflected in the growth (15% CAGR) of the

biopsies for better diagnostic outcomes.”

preservation in a number of contexts

biopreservation market, which is expected

including biopsy and cell samples or donor

to reach €410m in 2017. Whereas

organ transplantation. The fluid can even be

competition would offer preservation for up

used to administer drugs or stem cell

to 24 hours, AQIX® RS-I provides for up to

4

www.aqix.com


RVC Business

Serving the business and scientific community

RVC Business – Tel: +44 (0)20 7691 3560 | Email: [email protected] Home Office Course Administrator – Email: [email protected]

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is

high-quality facilities available at its

internationally recognised as a leading

Camden and Potters Bar sites.

teaching and veterinary research centre,

Clinical Investigation Centre

The RVC is committed to maintaining

ranked third in the world for veterinary

and improving standards of animal welfare

science in the 2016 QS World University

and all projects performed within its

Rankings by Subject. The RVC utilises its

facilities are reviewed by the Animal

world-class scientific and clinical

Welfare and Ethical Review Board.

At the Clinical Investigation Centre (CIC), RVC clinicians and academics work in state-of-the-art facilities to conduct clinical research in naturally occurring diseases in companion

knowledge and expertise to improve the

animals. Strong links with the

lives of both animals and humans. This includes active collaborations with business and industry to develop new technologies and progress science. RVC Business offers a range of services

Contract Research services

veterinary profession and animal

The Contract Research Unit can

case load.

owners ensures access to a broad The CIC is a valuable resource for

provide comprehensive services ranging from basic research support to

companies seeking to carry out

full bespoke study design and

veterinary clinical trials, explore the

management. All stages of pre-clinical

possibility of extending a drug’s

and clinical product development are

application into the animal market, or

Diagnostic laboratory services

supported within the regulatory and

investigate new therapeutic initiatives

non-regulatory environment.

with naturally occurring disease as

The RVC can offer many innovative

The team of experienced project

to the business and scientific community, making the most of the expertise and

comparative models of human disease,

tests that are not available elsewhere,

managers deals with both animal and

to the benefit of both species.

delivered by professionally qualified

human health companies, from small

Clinical activities:

specialists.

biotechnology to large pharmaceutical,

•

Oncology

Diagnostic services:

both within the UK and internationally.

•

Nephrology

Projects:

•

Neurology

Preclinical safety studies

•

Ophthalmology

Short- and long-term efficacy

•

Orthopaedics

•

Critical care

•

Cytology

•

Histology

•

Immunohistochemistry

•

PCR

• •

studies

Microbiology

•

Models of infectious disease

Commercial laboratory studies comply

•

Serology

•

Antisera production

with Good Research Practice (GRP).

•

Haematology

•

Medical device testing

Laboratory techniques available include

•

Clinical chemistry

A dedicated study manager co-

nucleic acid extraction, cDNA synthesis

•

Infectious disease pathology and

ordinates facilities, resources and

and progenitor cell production and

pathogenesis

support, in combination with accessing

characterisation for cellular therapies

•

Muscle biopsies

relevant academic or clinical expert

like regenerative medicine.

•

Neuropathology

advice.

•

Home Office licensee training The RVC is accredited by the Royal

The Home Office Licence courses are

The courses are offered through either

Society of Biology to provide recognised

taught by active Named Veterinary

a traditional classroom format or distance

training courses for individuals seeking to

Surgeons from the RVC. Courses are

learning. Following the modular courses,

apply to the Home Office for either

organised into modules according to the

additional advanced half-day courses and

Personal or Project Licences under the

type of licence required. General modules

bespoke workshops can be held either at

Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986,

may also be of use for staff who do not

the RVC or at the client’s facility.

updated by EU directive 2010/63/EU

work directly with animals, but who would

(ASPA).

benefit from knowledge of the relevant legislation. London BioScience Innovation Centre News Winter 2016

5

In2scienceUK promoting access and diversity in the scientific community in2scienceUK is a non-profit organisation that supports young people from low income backgrounds to attend university to study science, technology and engineering and maths (STEM) degrees and progress to careers in the STEM sector. Promoting access and diversity within the

population that is privately educated, 98%

young people from low-income

scientific community is vital if the UK is to

will progress to university and these pupils

backgrounds. 78% of in2scienceUK

maximise talent, creativity and success.

are six times more likely to attend a top

students progress

However, social mobility continues to drop

university.

to university and

in the UK and our earnings are more likely

In2scienceUK is an award-winning

to reflect our fathers’ than any other

charity that targets this inequality and was

54% to a top university.

country in the developed world, according

founded by

to a report by the Organisation for

research

reflect what a

Economic Co-operation and Development.

scientists who

positive impact and

Recent studies by Daniel Laurison and Sam

wanted to make a

transformational

Friedman from the London School of

real difference in

difference

Economics found that bright students from

their local

communities can make. Our mission is to

the poorest backgrounds are unable to

communities. The

increase diversity and equal opportunity

pursue their

scheme puts

within the sector and is the driving force of

interest in

researchers at

this impactful scheme” says Dr Rebecca

“The statistics

science due to

the heart of the solution to provide young

McKelvey, Director and founder of the

a lack of

people from low-income backgrounds with

charity.

information,

role models and an understanding of what

opportunities

a science career and research really involve,

societies,

and role

through hosting a two-week work

science

models,

placement. A series of workshops delivered

companies and

particularly

by the in2scienceUK team ensures

academic

students have the skills, confidence and

institutions, but

compared to their more affluent peers. Figures from the Sutton Trust (a charity

In2scienceUK are supported by science

knowledge to progress to top universities,

are seeking

working to ‘combat educational inequality

apprenticeships and science careers.

organisations

and prevent the subsequent waste of

Professor Gibb from UCL has hosted

interested in

talent’) and UCAS show that 15% of

in2scienceUK students for five years and

providing

children in the UK receive a free school

said: “Being

placements to support more young people

able to

to achieve their potential in science.

“We are thrilled to be involved. As a

support such

business that has always closely

a bright

If your company might be able to host

collaborated with the scientific

student who

a placement, please contact

community, we believe inspiring the

would not

[email protected]

next generation is critical to advancing

usually have

future scientific research.”

the opportunity to

— Alan Hirzel. CEO of Abcam

have this experience was not only meal – a measure of poverty – and that just

enjoyable, I could see it made a real

18% of these students will progress to

difference”.

university and only 3.3% to a top university. By contrast, of the 7% of the UK

6

Now in its sixth year, in2scienceUK has grown in popularity, supporting over 500


Is it time to invest in your managers and teams? Elisabeth Goodman, from LBIC’s Business Support Network member RiverRhee, highlights the importance of effective management. Your company is growing, rapidly. You would

Is it time to invest in your managers and

like your managers to feel confident and

teams?

capable, to give your internal teams and

RiverRhee’s courses, workshops and

your external clients confidence in that

one-to-one coaching develop your

growth.

managers’ confidence and capabilities,

You are generating new projects, at a

enable your teams to excel and reinforce

pace, to meet the demands of external

your company’s growth.

clients and to achieve your internal goals.

Get in touch with Elisabeth Goodman to

You would like your teams to excel, to fulfill

find out more, to book a place on the next

those goals and demands, and to be ready

available courses, to arrange internal

for more.

workshops for your teams or to book

Contact [email protected]

one-to-one coaching for your managers.

telephone 07876 130 817

Instant spray-on conductive material by Fabrican Fabrican has developed a sprayable conductive material, which can be applied from an aerosol and forms an electrical circuit on any suitable surface.

power LEDs, provide electrical stimulation,

expansion or the ability to restore

or connect wearable technologies to a

interconnections between components will

portable power source. Used in combination

be just a spray away. Larger-scale

with stencilling and thermochromatic

applications might include cabling, with

pigments, the resultant conductive fabric

sprayed conductive pathways sandwiched

could power garments that change colour

within prefabricated building materials,

Fabrican’s spray-on conductive layer can be

throughout the day. Furthermore, non-

ready for connection to the power source

instantly applied and conforms to any

conductive materials can be made

on site. The spray-on conductive film can

conductive very quickly by spraying a

also be combined with various

film on top of the desired material.

encapsulated micro- or nano-particles that

The film can be tailored to be highly

can impart additional properties to the film.

adhesive or easily peel-able, based on the intended use. Away from the field of fashion,

Fabrican’s spray-on conductive coating technology can simplify many consumer and industrial applications and provide a

sprayable electrical circuits have

whole new platform for wearable

practically limitless applications.

technology. The company has already been

Precision industrial tests can be

exploring healthcare applications for its

shape, for example onto clothes. The

facilitated by materials offering instant,

spray-on fabric, and this new innovation

wearable low-voltage electrical circuit is

disposable conductivity. Repairs to

opens up even more opportunities.

entirely customisable and can be used to

electronic systems affected by thermal


7

LBIC’s Virtual Client package The simple way to get a London base

While some life science companies need office or laboratory space in London, this is not always essential. LBIC offers a ‘virtual tenancy’ for companies who need a London hub without the need for a permanent physical space on site. Since its launch in 2008, a vast range of

international corporations looking for a

companies have taken up the virtual

reliable base in London. The varied list of

tenancy offer, from tiny start-ups wishing to

benefits means there is an aspect to appeal

build a business gradually, to established

to most companies.

Contact us LBIC has been supporting life sciences companies since 2001. Today we host more than 60 companies, ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to more established UK companies and overseas subsidiaries from Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. The Centre is owned

Benefits of an LBIC Virtual tenancy •

A Central London address less

•

than 10 minutes’ walk from the

facilities, including the stunning

international transport links of St

Lightwell café •

Pancras International station •

•

One-year complimentary Gold

Discounted client rates on

membership of One Nucleus, the

meeting rooms, catering and video

international membership

conferencing facilities

organisation for life science and

A dedicated telephone line that

healthcare companies

can be answered in the name of the

•

company and redirected to a number of choice •

Access to RVC equipment and

Reception services and courier bookings at client rates

•

and operated by the prestigious Royal Veterinary College, one of the independent Colleges of the University of London. The Centre is a 10-minute walk from St Pancras International for Eurostar services and the site of The Francis Crick Institute.

Visible profile within LBIC and

Post collection and redirection

through our marketing and

service

communications

Our management team comprises: Dr Ken Larkin Chief Executive

The set-up process is quick and straightforward

Janette Pickles

Contact us at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 7691 1122 today to enquire about

Lucy Garnsworthy

Operations Manager

becoming a Virtual client.

Communications Manager

Additional charges may apply for certain services. A full list of charges can be supplied on request.

For further information, or to enquire about our services, contact:

Would you like to feature in our newsletter? If you would like to contribute to a future issue of LBIC News, contact Lucy Garnsworthy on +44 (0) 20 7691 0982 or email [email protected]

The London BioScience Innovation Centre, 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH Tel: +44 (0) 20 7691 1122 Email: [email protected] www.lbic.com Twitter: @LBICLondon

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8

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London BioScience Innovation Centre News Winter 2016 Produced by SCIAD www.sciad.com