Summer 2019 LBICnews From the London BioScience Innovation Centre

WELCOME In our summer publication we look ahead, as we highlight the official opening of the refurbished Camden campus of the RVC where LBIC has taken on additional space. We hear from some of our newest clients, as well as news and developments from our existing clients who have new projects and funding to report. We also have thoughts and advice from One Nucleus and from recruitment firm Harris Lord on how to find, utilise and keep top talent in the industry.

Royal visit for opening of Roo Goodwin, Editor RVC Camden refurbishment To keep up to date with day-to-day On Wednesday 8th May 2019, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) held an developments and official opening event at the Camden campus to celebrate completion of the updates from LBIC and our clients, recent renovations project. Her Royal Highness, Anne, Princess Royal, follow us on twitter attended for a tour of the new facilities. @LBICLondon

The Princess Royal is the Chancellor of the student Josef Huntington who previously University of London (of which the RVC is took part in a yearlong work placement with a constituent college) and has a long Cancer Research Technology at LBIC. In this issue: relationship with the college. The refurbishment of the Hobday Royal visit to RVC, Camden Lead story The tour of the college included a stop to Building at RVC’s Camden campus, on One Nucleus: it’s all about view a display highlighting the work of LBIC Royal College Street, was developed in the people Page 4 and our clients, focussing on collaborations phases with the campus remaining fully New cancer immunotherapy with the college. Her Royal Highness met operational for students and staff alliance Page 5 Janette Pickles (Operations Manager) who throughout. Students can now enjoy new The Science Entrepreneur Club Page 6 introduced her majesty to Roo Goodwin teaching rooms, extra social learning Introducing VirTus Page 7 (Communications Manager) and RVC spaces, an extended dining facility, larger Continued on page 3.

DNA DECONTAMINATION REAGENTS

www.apolloscientific.co.uk/blog/-decontamination Client News Round-up Virokine Therapeutics IGEM appoints new establishes new lab chairman Virokine Therapeutics Ltd, VTL, are pleased to report graduation from a ‘virtual’ to a IGEM Therapeutics, an physical presence at LBIC in 2019. They immuno-oncology are establishing a new laboratory to company developing continue the research performed and novel immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to patented by founder and CEO, Dr Ursula treat cancer, appointed Dr David Chiswell Gompels. First holding a Wellcome Trust as a Non-Executive Chairman from April Senior Fellowship in Basic Biomedical 2019. Dr Chiswell brings more than 30 Sciences at the Department of Medicine at years’ experience in the biotechnology the University of Cambridge, Dr Gompels Fabrican spray-on collagen patch industry to IGEM’s Board. In 1990, he later became a Professor in Molecular co-founded Cambridge Antibody at the London School of Hygiene & Fabrican spray-on Technology (CAT) where he served as CEO Tropical Medicine. Following a Royal Society collagen patch for for six years. During his tenure he oversaw Industry Fellowship at GlaxoSmithKline, the company’s float on both the London GSK, she commenced translational studies wound care Stock Exchange and Nasdaq in April 1997 with research grant funding from BBSRC Fabrican has developed a collagen-rich and June 2001, respectively. Most recently and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. wound care patch from an aerosol can. The Dr Chiswell was Chairman, then CEO, of VTL is developing -based novel liquid formulations carry bovine collagen Kymab Ltd from 2015 to 2018. He is a immunotherapy for infectious and fibres that form a coherent patch of past chairman of the UK BioIndustry autoimmune diseases and advanced material when sprayed on the wound. The Association (BIA) and his contributions to therapies for cancer. With founding support patch cushions and protects compromised the field were recognised in 2006 when he from experienced angel investors/co- skin, minimising the risk of infection. was awarded an OBE for services to the directors with backgrounds in Big Pharma The unique properties of collagen fibres biotechnology industry. IGEM’s current and investment banking, Dr Eddie Blair and create an optimal matrix to assist wound Chairman, Peter Finan of Epidarex Capital, Michael Martin, VTL has initiated preclinical healing. Collagen naturally suppresses will remain on the board as a Non- studies with an award from a USA NIH/ infection, absorbs wound exudates owing to Executive Director. NIAID translational programme. Dr its intrinsic haemostatic properties, and This appointment follows recent funding Gompels was recently invited to address a promotes tissue granulation, essential successes with IGEM having secured an meeting of Royal Society Industry Fellows to healing. additional £3 million to close its Series A at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult at The spray technique ensures that the round at £5 million. Two new investors, Alsa GSK, speaking on the interrelationship patch conforms to any shape and can be Holdings and UCL Technology Fund between translational and ‘blue skies’ readily applied to irregularly shaped areas (co-managed by Albion Capital and UCLB, research. of skin. Unlike conventional products, the UCL’s commercialisation company), have spray patch requires no adhesive tape, joined initial investor, Epidarex Capital, who minimising the risk of re-injury to the wound also committed further capital in this bed when changing dressings. The second close. IGEM have also been collagen fibre aerosol spray will be awarded a £0.75 million grant from the particularly useful for clinical treatment of UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, post-surgical wounds, burn victims, bringing total net grant awards to bedsores and ulcers. £2.3 million. The aerosol cans are safe, using a non-flammable, greener propellant with the LBIC welcomes these new lowest global warming potential of 1. The clients to the Centre: packaging ensures that the formulation • One Health Solutions within remains sterile. • Ori Biotech • Virokine Therapeutics • VirTus Respiratory Research Dr Ursula Gompels, CEO of Virokine Therapeutics Ltd, outside LBIC

2 London BioScience Innovation Centre News Summer 2019 Continued from front page are conveniently situated close to the RVC’s The RVC notably gained perfect scores for stunning Lightwell café, to which all LBIC its academic staff and research impact. common rooms and a much improved social clients have full access. Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the setting. Staff, meanwhile, now have access The refurbishments were completed just RVC, said: “We are absolutely delighted to to updated research laboratories and bright, as the RVC was ranked as the world’s learn that we have been ranked first new open-plan offices. number one veterinary internationally, Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the school in the particularly given the RVC, said: “I am delighted to welcome our prestigious QS World strength of the Chancellor, The Princess Royal, to our University Rankings discipline both at home refurbished campus. With the investments 2019. This is the first and abroad. The result we have made at Camden, we demonstrate time the RVC has is testament to the the RVC’s commitment to science in the occupied the top spot commitment of all of Knowledge Quarter, as well as retaining our in this particular league those at the Royal Refurbished reception at the RVC position as one of the world’s leading table, after being Veterinary College to centres for veterinary education.” ranked within the top three for the previous advancing veterinary science and making a As part of the project, LBIC has been four years. difference to the lives of animals and able to take on 750 sq ft of additional The rankings are determined by a range humans worldwide. It is a privilege to lead space within the college, which is planned of criteria, such as academic reputation, the RVC and humbling for us to be held in for use as a shared office space for our hot research impact and number of citations, as such high esteem by our peers around desks and visiting virtual clients. The offices well as employer reputation per subject. the globe.”

Client News Round-up Haoma Medica submit Having successfully completed extensive preclinical testing, the next stage of clinical trial development will look to evaluate its application for pharmacokinetic and safety profiles in a healthy volunteer study. This study will NaQuinate first-in- follow a single-ascending dose, multi- class phase I study ascending dose (SAD/MAD) phase I design starting in Q2 2019. Intract Neopharma Building Haoma Medica, an SME Biotech, Intract Pharma and Under the terms of the collaboration, have submitted a Intract will provide NPJ access to its clinical trial Neopharma announce proprietary drug formulation platforms for application for their novel compound, collaboration creation of improved medical products. The NaQuinate, a natural product-based drug programme will be rapidly advanced to the being investigated as a new treatment for Intract Pharma Ltd and Neopharma Japan clinic through use of Intract’s specialist osteoporosis, which, due to ageing Co. Ltd (NPJ) have announced entry into a pre-clinical gastrointestinal models. demographics, is increasingly becoming a collaboration to develop a novel therapeutic Commenting on the collaboration, Bill major burden to world health systems product for treatment of gastrointestinal Lindsay, Intract’s CEO said: “Intract is and services. diseases using Intract’s proprietary drug delighted to enter this very exciting NaQuinate is a new class of drug which is delivery technologies. Intract is a leader in collaboration with NPJ. Intract is driven to naturally present at very low levels in the oral drug delivery, building on over 20 years see its technologies and expertise result in body and acts to preserve both bone mass of research and an in-depth understanding benefit to patients through such and bone architecture. Toxicity studies show of gastrointestinal physiology for optimal innovative projects.” no overt deleterious effects and, by boosting drug product development. NPJ, a “We are very excited to bring our the natural levels, the drug targets the subsidiary of Neopharma UAE, is a global promising compound to the patients preservation of bone integrity, providing it centre of excellence for research and suffering from gastrointestinal diseases with significant potential as a safe, long-term development of innovative medicines and through the collaboration with Intract” said treatment for osteoporosis. healthcare products. Satofumi Kawata, NPJ’s Representative Director.

London BioScience Innovation Centre News Summer 2019 3 “If it’s all about the people, what more can we be doing to attract and nurture the best?”

BY TONY JONES, ONE NUCLEUS

I get the increasing feeling that the very There are positive signs. Much and talents to translate great innovation to clichéd phrase we all claim to adhere to in collaboration across national bodies such better patient outcomes must surely be at businesses ‘Our people are our biggest as the Royal Societies, Government, the heart of our sector. For more details asset’ has never been more relevant. I education providers and formal Trade please visit www.onenucleus.com repeatedly receive articles, news and Associations is seeing progressive policy invitations to engage in discussions or making as we look to the future. However, initiatives that claim to be focussed on at converting policy and strategy to practical least one of the following: solving the skills measures and impact is a different agenda, enabling entrepreneurs or challenge. One Nucleus, along with increasing productivity in the workforce. collaborators such as LIDo, UK Thankfully, those with enviable track Innovation Corridor, FE colleges, Form records of creating, building and exiting the Future, and of course our members, successful businesses and products seem is actively playing its part. Launch of more enthused and engaged than ever in our Skills Special Interest Group, ON sharing their experience Career Track, ON and knowledge with the Mentors and next generation. on-going Global brand development of our locations for research, training portfolio innovation and reflects our view that entrepreneurial culture, we need a full pathway such as London and approach. This includes Cambridge, will likely always be competitive generating appetite for careers in the in attracting talent that can deliver. The sector at a young age, record levels of investment attracted in communicating the potential 2018 suggest others believe this too. But career pathways available and what of the skilled workforce required to seeking to reduce barriers for enable the more visible entrepreneurs and career seekers to engage. science leaders in scaling their start-ups Our collective ability to and hence increasing the stickability of our attract, nurture and retain region for growing life science companies? those individuals with the skills

Attend London’s premier Life Science & Healthcare networking conference genesis 2019

11 December 2019 QEII Centre, London, UK

4 London BioScience Innovation Centre News Summer 2019 Cancer Research UK, LifeArc and Ono Pharma form cancer immunotherapy alliance

New immunotherapy drug targets for cancer will be progressed through a Dr Hamish Ryder, Director of Cancer multimillion-pound drug discovery alliance between Cancer Research UK, Research UK’s Therapeutic Discovery Labs, LifeArc and Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ono to join and expand our successful collaboration The multi-year partnership brings together screening and development expertise. with LifeArc and create one of our most Cancer Research UK’s network of Small molecule projects will be taken ambitious alliances to date. This unique world-leading scientists and drug discovery forward by Cancer Research UK’s alliance is a melting pot of world-leading expertise, LifeArc’s renowned therapeutic Therapeutic Discovery Labs. cancer research and each organisation’s antibody engineering and development Ono will have option rights to licence the extensive expertise in oncology expertise, and Ono’s considerable track outputs of the alliance, and take on clinical drug discovery.” record in developing cancer development and commercialisation of “As we enter into a new age of immuno- immunotherapies. successful projects with worldwide therapeutic approaches to cancer care, we The collaboration will identify targets for exclusive rights. Cancer Research UK and hope that this partnership will accelerate the development of both antibody and LifeArc will receive an upfront access fee the development of new treatments, small molecule therapeutics. Boosted by a for entering the alliance, as well as bringing them to patients with cancer multimillion pound investment from Ono additional upfront, milestone, and royalty much faster.” and a further investment from LifeArc, drug payments for licensed projects. discovery experts will be pursuing targets within Cancer Research UK’s extensive portfolio of immuno-oncology research.

“This unique alliance is a melting pot of world-leading cancer research and each organisation’s extensive expertise in oncology drug discovery”

Dr Hamish Ryder, Director of Cancer Research UK’s Therapeutic Discovery Labs

This new collaboration expands upon an existing alliance between Cancer Research UK and LifeArc announced in 2017. Ono’s investment and expertise will help identify new therapeutic targets, accelerate target validation within the alliance, and support validated targets through the drug discovery phase. Under the terms of the deal, LifeArc will progress antibody projects via its antibody

CRT laboratory

London BioScience Innovation Centre News Summer 2019 5 The Science Entrepreneur Club

A group of students, those challenges, which often hold back outreach and educational initiatives. Its entrepreneurs and industry novel drug development and disruptive regular events and workshops bring professionals from London, technologies. In a life science industry together scientific leaders, innovators, Oxford and Cambridge have launched ecosystem that is heavily regulated, investors and entrepreneurs from across the Science Entrepreneur Club (SEC), a capital-intensive and resistant to change, the life science ecosystem. Its resources non-profit organisation, aiming to boost the SEC aims to be the catalyst and articles, often featuring interviews with innovation by uniting the key for innovation. founders of biotech start-ups, aim to inspire stakeholders in the life science industry. “In the next ten years, scientists in the and educate a new generation of life The SEC provides scientific UK will discover more about biology than in science entrepreneurs. Its broad network entrepreneurs with a revolutionary the last hundred. Much of this ground- allows innovators to connect with leading network and platform to showcase their breaking research will be accelerator programmes, innovative technologies, accelerate their disruptive and will require a such as RebelBio and company and find investors. collaborative effort from Panacea Stars, and The SEC team, which includes across the life science companies to access the graduates, industry professionals and ecosystem in order to resources and entrepreneurs, understands the challenges reach patients” says Fane A Science Entrepreneur Club event infrastructure offered by innovators face, especially in their early Mensah, one of SEC’s managing directors the SEC’s founding partner, Clustermarket, stages, when they are looking to translate and a PhD candidate in medicine at UCL. an online marketplace for scientific their ideas into successful companies. “At the SEC we want to build a hub for equipment and technical services. Finding the right investors, accessing innovators to expand their network and Please visit www.science-entrepreneur. appropriate lab space and equipment and meet like-minded enthusiasts.” com for more information and to join cultivating talent pools are just a few of The SEC’s activities cover a variety of the community.

Bringing the attract new (or replacement) staff more 4. Job security and company stability effectively. The most successful Often this aspect is overlooked. It’s easier best talent to organisations are ready to act and consider to be confident of your own surroundings this proactively even during the “non-active when you’re looking out from the inside and periods”. know all of the facts. Candidates are A GUIDE A SME biotechs 2. Time, speed and efficiency increasingly conscious of the risks The UK biopharmaceutical industry Being clear on your strategy also makes associated with smaller, younger or less continues to go from strength to this challenge easier to address. Moving well-established businesses. To overcome strength. Big pharma continues to invest swiftly throughout the recruitment process this it is important to address it proactively. more time and energy in getting their is critical in order to remain competitive in Share progress, developments and press next generation of products to market by the market and maintain engagement with releases and be sure to touch on these partnering with innovative and thriving your candidates. It’s a small industry and a during the interview process. biotechs. candidate’s experience counts whether they Harris Lord is a multidiscipline As a result, staffing in SME are successful or not. independent UK and European Recruitment biopharmaceutical companies is more 3. Differentiation Consultancy with a Head Office near critical than ever with several key In a candidate-short market, the key is to London Gatwick Airport. We recruit for challenges that need to be addressed for stand out in the right way. Why permanent and contract/interim those businesses that want to capitalise on should the candidate consider roles within the life science their window of opportunity: working for you over another sector across the UK 1. Finding the right talent business? These reasons need and Europe. The life science market in the UK is to be in the public domain as it is not just If you require any advice in relation to candidate short – i.e. there are more jobs down to remuneration. Candidates are your recruitment strategy then please than candidates in the market. How do you interested in the science/technology, contact Mark Bux-Ryan (Operations make sure that you attract the best talent employer brand and a career path. Think of Manager) on [email protected] or from a limited pool of candidates? Being ways that you can differentiate from 01403 577980. clear on your strategy is key and will help your competitors.

6 London BioScience Innovation Centre News Summer 2019 London’s contribution to the wider UK economy is entrepreneurial skills necessary to exploit equivalent to the City of London and new scientific knowledge. With the ‘Knowledge competes with leading innovation districts Government’s aim to see investment in such as Kendall Square in Boston, USA. research and development increase to Quarter’ is one The report confirms 2.4% of GDP, making that the KQ is an sure the links of the world’s international player, between academia particularly in the life and business are fully best locations sciences, data science exploited will become (especially within increasingly for science and machine learning or important.” artificial intelligence) Ray Kent, Director innovation and digital collections. of Research As a result, this has Administration at the The one-mile radius around King’s Cross led to exciting new RVC and author of railway station has been revealed to contain cross-disciplinary the SIA Summary one of the highest densities of knowledge- research and business Report, said: “The SIA based businesses and science start-ups such as of London’s organisations in the world. This was Tecrea Ltd, a spin-out Knowledge Quarter discovered through a government- from the RVC that has provided a wealth sponsored Science and Innovation Audit specialises in cell and of evidence to show (SIA) led by the Royal Veterinary College tissue delivery technology using that the UK is competing at the highest (RVC). nanoparticles. level internationally in life sciences, data Known as the ‘Knowledge Quarter’ (KQ), Professor Jonathan Elliott, Vice Principal sciences and digital collections. The KQ’s this area is an incubator for the UK, with its for Research and Innovation at the RVC, strength lies in the huge pool of talented scientific institutions and spin-off said: “The RVC has found it extremely people based at its universities and businesses delivering novel technologies valuable to be involved in this Science research institutes, which act as a magnet that are subsequently commercialised Innovation Audit. It highlights the benefit to that is drawing leading knowledge-based elsewhere and have a big impact on the businesses from working with academic businesses to relocate to the area.” global stage. The SIA found that the KQ’s institutions in the KQ, to cultivate the

Introducing National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial respiratory infections and airway diseases, College London, and has previously to help translate new drugs into the clinic VirTus performed academic research focusing on for treatment of both respiratory viral the cellular and molecular biology of infections and acute attacks of asthma and VirTus Respiratory Research Ltd was anti-viral immunity and in COPD. VirTus’s main USP is a human virus founded in 2017 by Prof Sebastian airway diseases. He has extensive challenge model to provide proof of Johnston and Dr Michael Edwards. Prof experience of the immune response to virus concept and proof of mechanism in early Johnston is Professor of Respiratory infections, including rhinovirus, clinical development, thus Medicine & Allergy at the National Heart & influenza and respiratory syncytial accelerating drug development Lung Institute, Imperial College London, virus, and the generation of novel and vastly reducing both the time and has been performing respiratory anti-inflammatory and anti-viral and costs associated with virus-related research including human targets for pharmaceutical traditional clinical trials. VirTus’s virus challenge studies in asthma for more intervention. VirTus staff at the clients include big than 30 years, and is the only investigator LBIC include Dr Aoife Cameron, pharmaceutical companies and worldwide to have performed such studies Clinical Operations Lead, Dr Nicholas small biotechs. Its business model involves in people with chronic obstructive Glanville, Principle Scientist, and James being able to appeal to both client bases pulmonary disease (COPD). Prof Bolaji, as part of the scientific team. VirTus and to offer a professional contract Johnston’s work has thus far led to more also employs doctors and nurses through research service together with state-of-the- than 450 research publications with over the NHS as part of the clinical study team. art disease models and specific scientific 43,000 citations. Dr Michael Edwards is VirTus’s services involve state-of-the-art insight, akin to a world-class also a part-time Senior Lecturer at the pre-clinical and clinical research studies in academic outfit.

London BioScience Innovation Centre News Summer 2019 7 £ Virtual tenancy offers 600 Contact us for the first six months* LBIC has been supporting flexible London base life sciences companies since 2001. Today we host more than 60 companies, ranging from For companies looking to establish a London base, it is easy to think that a entrepreneurial start-ups to physical office is required. However, many companies find it simpler to take more established UK companies on a ‘virtual’ tenancy at LBIC, giving access to meeting room space when and overseas subsidiaries from needed for important face-to-face meetings, but without the commitment Europe, North America and Asia and setup required with dedicated office space. Pacific. The Centre is owned and operated by the prestigious Royal Veterinary College, one of LBIC’s experienced team has developed the virtual package to suit the varied needs of life the independent Colleges of the science companies of all sizes. University of London. The Centre is a 10-minute walk Benefits of an LBIC Virtual tenancy from St Pancras International for Eurostar services and The • A Central London address less • Post collection and redirection Francis Crick Institute. than 10 minutes’ walk from the • Courier bookings at client rates international transport links of • Business Support Network to St Pancras International station assist with doing business in • One-year complimentary Gold the UK membership of One Nucleus, the • Access to RVC equipment and international membership facilities, including the stunning organisation for life science and Lightwell café healthcare companies • Visible profile within LBIC and • Discounted client rates on through our marketing and meeting rooms, catering and video communications conferencing facilities • Option to cancel at any time, with Our management team • A dedicated telephone line just one month’s notice period comprises: answered in the client’s name and Dr Ken Larkin redirected as needed Chief Executive Janette Pickles Operations Manager The set-up process is quick and straightforward Contact us at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 7691 1122 today to enquire For further information, or to about becoming a Virtual client. enquire about our services, contact: * Additional charges may apply for certain services. A full list of charges can be supplied on request. Prospective clients will be subject to due diligence checks by LBIC management. Introductory rate is excluding VAT. The London BioScience Innovation Centre, 2 Royal College Street, Would you like to feature in our newsletter? London, NW1 0NH Tel: +44 (0) 20 7691 1122 If you would like to contribute to a future issue of LBIC News, contact the Communications Manager on +44 (0) 20 7691 0982 or email [email protected] Email: [email protected]

www.lbic.com

Twitter: @LBICLondon

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ london-bioscience-innovation-centre

Scan the QR code for instant access to our website

8 London BioScience Innovation Centre News Summer 2019

Produced by SCIAD www.sciad.com