Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst welcomes new occupier TauC3 Biologics Ltd

TauC3 Biologics Ltd, focused on therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, has chosen Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst as its premier location to accelerate its science by acquiring 1,046 sq ft of lab space.

TauC3 Biologics is focused on the development of innovative high precision immunotherapy for the treatment of the devastating neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies, particularly tau-related frontotemporal dementia (FTD-tau) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Tauopathies are characterized by abnormal forms of tau protein associated with neuronal death and cognitive decline. The company’s lead programme is an extremely potent humanized monoclonal antibody, TBL-100, that uniquely targets a slightly truncated form of tau known as tauC3. This fragment is by far the most noxious form of tau due to its heightened propensity to aggregate, promote spread of tau pathology through the brain and impair the transport of essential cellular constituents through the axon to synapses.

Recent findings by the company provided the first direct genetic linkage between tauC3 and a tauopathy. The company has additionally developed diagnostic tools based on the high specificity and potency of TBL-100 which also has potential as a companion diagnostic to facilitate patient selection and monitor treatment effects.  These tools may also have broader application as a diagnostic to distinguish between various neurodegenerative diseases. 

Daniel G. Chain, PhD, President & CEO, TauC3 Biologics, said: “We feel that Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst’s nurturing and supportive environment represents a perfect setting for us to transition from the virtual model we adopted previously to a physical one in which we can grow our close-knit multidisciplinary team.  The SBC’s resources and culture will also effectively facilitate our mission to develop and use innovative assays for research and clinical testing of TBL-100 and other biologic drug candidates targeting neurodegenerative diseases.”

Dr Sally Ann Forsyth OBE, CEO, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, said: “We are delighted to welcome TauC3 Biologics to our growing cluster of innovative therapeutics companies. We have a strong track record in helping businesses move from start up to scale up and I look forward to watching TauC3 Bio accelerate their growth plans within the SBC community.”

Meet the other organisations located at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst here.