The latest Business updates from the science industry
by Heather Hobbs Diamond Facility to Accelerate Drug Discovery
Diamond Light Source is now able to offer scientists a world- fi rst facility that will accelerate the process of developing novel compounds for drug discovery.
Professor Dave Stuart, Diamond’s Director of Life Sciences and Head of the Division of Structural Biology in the Department of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oxford, commented: “Scientists are using Diamond to study a wide range of viral and bacterial infections, along with cancer, heart disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
While great
progress is being made, on average it still takes at least ten years for a new medicine to complete the journey from initial discovery to the marketplace. Having a facility like XChem at the synchrotron is therefore a major step forward, allowing scientists to evaluate the equivalent of millions of compounds using just a few hundred much smaller compounds (named ‘fragments’). We believe it will give a particular boost to the combat of neglected diseases, where non- commercial research plays a major role, thereby greatly amplifying the impact of making available cutting-edge drug discovery technology.”
XChem harnesses synchrotron X-rays so that fragments can be directly observed interacting with the target protein. Structural biologists can therefore identify where drugs could potentially
bind and target that particular area for further research. New technologies developed at Diamond and in partnership with the Structural Genomics Consortium at Oxford University can also deliver unprecedented performance, making it possible to support a wide user base.
Dr Frank von Delft, jointly head of the XChem facility and the partnering lab at Oxford University, remarked, “It is only a world- class national synchrotron like Diamond that makes such a facility conceivable and it is its strong collaborative links with the UK’s universities that then leads to the creation of next-generation technologies like XChem.”
Life Sciences Minister, George Freeman MP comments: “This development from Diamond shows the UK punches above its weight in the fi eld of structural biology. The techniques on offer at XChem will save both time and money by swiftly identifying the most promising drug targets before more in-depth research takes place. This will help drive innovation in vaccine design and the prevention of antibiotic resistance.”
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Pictured (L-R): Frank Von Delft (Diamond Light Source, Principle Beamline Scientist I04-1), John Barker (Evotec), Professor Dave Stuart, (Diamond’s Life Sciences Director), Peter Moody, Russell Wallis and Peter Andrew from Leicester University.
Alicat Scientific Appoints European Territory Manager
Alicat Scientifi c has improved customer experience in the European market, appointing Andy Mangell European Territory Manager.
Based in the United Kingdom, Mangell will serve as a local contact and source of support for distributors of Alicat’s line of pressure controllers, mass fl ow controllers, meters and accessories. He will provide fi rst line service support to local customers and channel partners, as well as work with
OEM customers throughout Europe to incorporate Alicat’s fl ow control instruments into their products.
Mangell comes to Alicat with a strong background in the European market and mass fl ow technology. He has spent the last fi fteen years as UK Managing Director of Bronkhorst UK, overseeing sales strategy for its Thermal and Coriolis mass fl ow controller lines. Prior to this, he spent nine years developing the UK market for pressure measurement and mechanical pressure regulator manufacturers. Mangell began his career working extensively across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in both the up-stream and down-stream oil and gas industries. He is a graduate of the University of Exeter (England) with a Combined Honours Degree in Geology and Geography.
Mangell can be contacted via email at
andy.mangell@
alicat.com and by phone at +44 (0) 7736 455587.
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Turf Cut on Cell Therapy Catapult’s £55 Million Manufacturing Centre
The Cell Therapy Catapult celebrated the beginnings of its new cell and gene therapy manufacturing centre, when its chairman John Brown led the fi rst turf cutting at an event on site during November. Dedicated to the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry by bridging the gap between scientifi c research and commercialisation, the new manufacturing centre will also provide support to the international cell and gene therapy sectors. The event was attended by representatives from academic, healthcare, regulatory and industry groups across the advanced therapy sectors.
Due for completion in 2017 at its Stevenage-based 7,200m2 site, it is close to London Heathrow international airlinks enabling time critical transport of the cells of patients to and from the developer facility.
Innovate UK committed £55 million to the Cell Therapy Catapult which is expected to directly create up to 150 specialist jobs, along with more as the cluster around it grows. Most importantly it will speed up the developments of critically needed treatments for patients in the UK and internationally.
“The Cell Therapy Catapult cell and gene therapy manufacturing centre will be the world’s fi rst facility of its kind. I am very proud that it will be built in the UK,” said George Freeman, MP, UK Government Minister for Life Sciences. “The UK is at the leading edge of the cell and gene therapy industry, with a disproportionate share of both world leading scientists and new developments in the fi eld. It will also contribute to considerable additional inward investment to the UK.”
Cell Therapy Catapult CEO Keith Thompson added: “Manufacturing continues to involve signifi cant international logistical and regulatory challenges to the development of cell therapies. The manufacturing centre will be a game changer for the UK cell therapy industry, as
Pictured (l-r):Keith Thompson, CEO, Cell Therapy Catapult Martino Picardo, CEO, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst Dr Nicole Mather, Director, Offi ce for Life Sciences, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Department of Health Jan Thirkettle, VP, Cell and Gene Therapy Platform – GSK Stephen Ward, COO, Cell Therapy Catapult John Brown, Chair, Cell Therapy Catapult
well as the future international availability of therapies for patients. Both UK and international companies will now be able to plan and spread costs via economies of scale for their manufacturing for clinical trials for the UK, European and global markets.”
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