MRC Technology and Peptinnovate collaborate on therapeutics for bone

 MRC Technology, an independent medical research charity and Peptinnovate, which is developing first-in-class disease modifying medicines for immuno-inflammatory diseases, are collaborating to assess the therapeutic potential in bone diseases of Peptinnovate’s unique peptides derived from the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Natural peptides from M. tuberculosis (the pathogen that causes TB) are able to modify the immunological and inflammatory response in humans, and Peptinnovate is investigating whether these properties could form the basis of new medicines for a variety of disease indications that involve altered immune responses.

Scientists at MRC Technology’s Centre for Therapeutics Discovery have expertise in assay development for discovering new drugs, and in bone disease biology. They will investigate the effects of Peptinnovate’s peptides in cellular models that mimic aspects of bone physiology.

The collaboration is a result of interaction fostered by Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, where Peptinnovate is based and MRC Technology is relocating in 2016.

Andrew Lightfoot, CEO, Peptinnovate, said: “We are delighted to be working with experts at MRCT to better understand the potential of our approach in the treatment of bone diseases, our second area of therapeutic focus. Peptinnovate is continuing to develop strongly, following on from our recent Biomedical Catalyst funding success, which stands us in good stead for future fundraising and partnering.”

Martino Picardo, CEO, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, said: “This partnership is just the kind of interaction Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst was established to facilitate and drive. It's great to see this collaboration between one of our first and one of our newest tenants, and we hope to see many more fruitful relationships as the campus continues its rapid development.”

Contacts

Sarah Jeffery Zyme Communications 

E-mail: sarah.jeffery@zymecommunications.com

Phone: +44 (0) 7771 730919

At MRC Technology: 

Liezel Tipper PR and Communications Manager

E-mail: liezel.tipper@tech.mrc.ac.uk

 Phone: +44 (0)20 7391 2772

At Peptinnovate :

Andrew Lightfoot CEO Email: apl@peptinnovate.com

MRC Technology (www.mrctechnology.org) is an independent life science medical research charity, offering professional services to organisations within the academic, charity, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors globally. Services include IP management and research and development for diagnostics, small molecules and therapeutic antibodies. MRC Technology bridges the gap between basic medical research and commercialisation, helping early discoveries progress to clinical application. 

Four of MRC Technology’s projects have led to approved drugs (Tysabri®, Actemra®, Entyvio®, Keytruda®) and the company has a strong pipeline in development.

Please note MRC Technology has been independent from the UK’s Medical Research Council (MRC) since 2000.

Peptinnovate is developing a portfolio of first-in-class disease modifying medicines for life-threatening immuno-inflammatory diseases. It is using its proprietary platform technology, which is based on a phenomenon used by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) bacteria to evade the host immune system, to discover potential new medicines. Its primary focus is on respiratory diseases, and the technology platform has wide potential clinical utility across other anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory markets. Peptinnovate’s strategy is to continue collaborating with respiratory pharma companies and strategic partners to realise the full potential of its technology in the discovery of new drug candidates. Founded in 2011, it is based at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst.

Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (www.stevenagecatalyst.com) is the UK’s first open innovation bioscience campus, pioneering a unique culture to drive early stage bioscience technology and company development, and building a thriving entrepreneurial community. It is backed by £38m of funding from its founding partners – GlaxoSmithKline, the Wellcome Trust, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Innovate UK, and the former East of England Development Agency. Consisting of an Incubator, an Accelerator and a Hub, covering 60,000 sq ft of laboratory, office and networking space, the independent facility houses a range of companies, from virtual and start-up firms to those which are more established, as well as other organisations. Co-located with GlaxoSmithKline on the Stevenage site, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst is in the unique position of operating in proximity to the expertise and resources of a major pharmaceutical company, close to both London and Cambridge.