The Innovative Targets Portfolio: Basic Life Sciences Research to Novel Therapies, through a Portfolio of Small Molecule Translational Projects
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
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Technical Summary
The Confidence in Concept scheme is a key part of MRC’s translational research strategy and provides annual awards to institutions, to be used flexibly to support the earliest stages of multiple translational research projects. The award can be used by the institution to support a number of preliminary-stage translational projects. The projects supported should aim to provide sufficient preliminary data to establish the viability of an approach –– before seeking more substantive funding. It is intended to accelerate the transition from discovery research to translational development projects by supporting preliminary work or feasibility studies to establish the viability of an approach.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Michael Ferguson (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
| Description | The aim of this award was to derisk new biology coming from across UK universities and beyond with the aim of licencing or otherwise partnering projects to companies. The award was successful in that a project was parntered with a company resulting in significant inward investment to the University of Dundee and our collaborating partner. In addition to this outcome, we have built a platform around a family of enzymes, gained significant Scottish Enterprise and Venture Capital funding and are currently exploring options to spin out a new company from the University of Dundee. This has the potnetial to create high quality jobs in an area of significant deprivation, leveraging the Scottish Governments Tay Cities Deal. |
| Exploitation Route | There may be a new company with significant research funding from a cancer charity or venture capital funding. The intent is that this would be established initially in the new University of Dundee company incubator space. |
| Sectors | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | We have used the Confidence in Concept funding (and latterly the Impact Accelerator Awards) to derisk a portfolio of innovative targets in order that they can be rolled out into new companies or as licences. The approach has resulted in a spinout from the University of Dundee together with enabling data that allowed a funding into a further 5 biotech companies. 7 pharma collaborations have resulted with 2 molecules currently in clinical trials. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | FAN1 |
| Amount | £375,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Union |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 04/2013 |
| End | 04/2015 |
| Title | Patent applied for describing RNMT inhibitors |
| Description | small molecule inhibitors of RNMT |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2024 |
| Licensed | No |