Investee Companies

Europe

Bioventix's proprietary antibody technology was developed to generate very high affinity sheep monoclonal antibodies (SMAs) with significantly greater affinities than those generated by conventional technologies (eg. mouse monoclonal antibodies.) The improved target-binding properties of SMAs enable them to used in various diagnostic assay formats with improved selectivity, sensitivity and precision. Bioventix clients are leading multinational diagnostic companies including Abbott Laboratories, Roche, Dade Behring, Beckman Coulter and Biomerieux.

Bioventix is also developing therapeutic antibodies using its technology for oncology and biodefence applications.

www.bioventix.com

Psimei Pharmaceuticals is developing boron-based drugs for applications in Photon Activation Therapy (PAT). This involves the use of standard radiotherapy to activate boron-based compounds which selectively target solid tumours. This results in an amplification of the therapeutic effect of conventional radiotherapy. Pre-clinical data for Psimei's lead product, PP200PAT, has demonstrated 90% true cure rates at 6 months in tumour models compared with 30% for conventional radiotherapy alone. It also enabled much shorter treatment regimes - days as opposed to weeks. This drug is being prepared for clinical development.

www.psimei.co.uk

Sphere Medical is developing highly innovative monitoring products to provide clinical and economic benefits in the critical care environment, based on the company’s proprietary technology. The products allow minimally invasive, real time measurement of clinical chemistry parameters and therapeutic drug concentrations, giving healthcare professionals the information they require to more effectively manage therapy and optimise patient outcomes. Sphere Medical was founded in 2002 and is based in Cambridge, UK.

www.spheremedical.com

Malaysia

Alpha Biologics is an independent contract biomanufacturing organisation offering FDA/EMEA cGMP compliant services to the worldwide pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Initial process development is undertaken by Alpha's highly experienced team in Cambridge, England, before being transferred to the new 5,000 sq metre facility in Malaysia for final process technology transfer and manufacturing of biologics drugs for pre-clinical and clinical trials. The facility has been designed to produce primarily mammalian cell secreted proteins, including monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins. Future expansion will be in two stages - a 'fill/finish' operation and a microbial cell facility. Managed by a team of specialists with significant cGMP manufacturing experience in the US and Europe that will ensure the highest standards of production and regulatory compliance. The company is headquartered in the UK.

www.alphabiologics.com

Progenix Research is an independent contract research organisation offering toxicology services to the world-wide pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrochemical and industrial chemical industries. It is a newly formed, independent contract research organisation with laboratory facilities currently under construction in Penang, Malaysia. The company’s European headquarters are based in Malvern, England, and it also has a histopathology laboratory in Edinburgh, Scotland. A high quality, yet cost-efficient service for toxicology and associated studies will be offered, including studies on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology products, medical devices, food additives, agrochemicals, biocides, and speciality chemicals.

www.progenixresearch.com

GMX Biotech Malaysia is a joint-venture between GeneMedix plc, UK and the Penang Development Corporation for the manufacture of recombinant human insulin. This will be the first recombinant human insulin plant in South East Asia. A 1500 m2 facility will be constructed on the Penang Biotech Park and each 25,000 litre fermenter will be capable of producing significant amounts of insulin per annum. GMX Biotech Malaysia will export insulin to the global as well as regional markets.

www.genemedix.com

NCI Cancer Hospital is a private oncology centre in Malaysia that combines treatment and clinical research. NCI provides a full range of services from diagnosis, laboratory analysis, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It operates to GCP and has conducted clinical trials for a number of pharmaceutical companies including Roche, BMS and AstraZeneca.

www.nci.com.my

India

Marksans Pharma (formerly Glenmark Laboratories) is one of the fastest growing pharmaceuticals company in India, with a focused approach on creating a world class, global, fully integrated pharmaceutical company. Its manufacturing plant is one of the largest in Asia and is approved by UK-MCHRA and Australian-TGA authorities. Marksans’ focus is to become a preferred supplier for formulation outsourcing by first world countries, develop a marketing presence in the EU and, through a combination of licensing and partnering, become a significant integrated pharmaceutical company. It has just completed the reverse takeover of TASC Pharmaceuticals, a publicly quoted API company, to form a corporation valued at $120 million.

www.marksanspharma.com

United States

MEC Dynamics, based in San Francisco, California, is developing a ‘point of care’ device for testing HbA1c levels in diabetic patients. HbA1c is a key diagnostic marker of a patient's risk for diabetes complications. Currently, the vast majority of these tests are undertaken in central laboratories – a costly and time-consuming process. The MEC device will allow diabetic patients and their physicians will be able to get immediate HbA1c test results. This will enable more careful and ‘real time’ management of a patient’s glucose levels. In time, the device will accommodate numerous rapid and inexpensive physiological tests.

www.mecdynamics.com