Confidence in Concept 2012 - Liverpool school of Tropical Medicine

Lead Research Organisation: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Department Name: UNLISTED

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

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.

People

ORCID iD

Publications

10 25 50

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Bangert M (2012) P4-mediated antibody therapy in an acute model of invasive pneumococcal disease. in The Journal of infectious diseases

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Bos L (2016) ESICM LIVES 2016: part one Milan, Italy. 1-5 October 2016 in Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

 
Description Macrofilaricide Drug Accelerator (MacDA) 2015 to date
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Membership of a guideline committee
 
Description Member of the MMV External Scientific Advisory Board (2008 to 2012)
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Steering committee for an EU TB drug discovery consortium
Geographic Reach Asia 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description • UK management committee member for COST Action CM1307, 'Targeted chemotherapy towards diseases caused by endoparasites" - 2014- to date
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL http://www.costcm1307.org/CM1307/Home.html
 
Description Alder Hey Children's Charity
Amount £9,791 (GBP)
Organisation Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2017 
End 06/2018
 
Description BMGF
Amount $3,491,050 (USD)
Organisation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United States
Start 03/2016 
End 12/2017
 
Description CEIDR Translational Pump Priming
Amount £45,435 (GBP)
Organisation Centre for Excellence in Infectious Disease Research Innovations 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2019 
End 09/2020
 
Description Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship: "When is enough, enough? Physiological responses to fluid resuscitation in sub-Saharan African adults with sepsis"
Amount £813,000 (GBP)
Funding ID 211098 
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2018 
End 08/2021
 
Description Grifols Investigator Lead Award
Amount $70,000 (USD)
Organisation Grifols 
Sector Private
Country Global
Start 12/2012 
End 10/2014
 
Description Horizon 2020 anti-microbial stewardship
Amount € 3,600,000 (EUR)
Funding ID BreathSpec device 
Organisation European Commission 
Department Horizon 2020
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start 03/2018 
End 03/2019
 
Description IMI EU FP7 "Model-based preclinical development of anti-tuberculosis drug combinations"
Amount € 478,278 (EUR)
Funding ID 115337 
Organisation European Commission 
Department Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start 05/2012 
End 04/2017
 
Description Innovate UK
Amount £635,000 (GBP)
Organisation Innovate UK 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Intensive Care Society New Investigator Award
Amount £10,791 (GBP)
Funding ID SU9AGB 
Organisation Intensive Care Foundation (ICF) 
Sector Private
Country Australia
Start 07/2017 
End 07/2018
 
Description Liverpool Health Partners Pump Priming Award
Amount £40,000 (GBP)
Organisation Liverpool Health Partners 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2013 
End 02/2015
 
Description MRC CiC - AAV-vectored delivery of engineered monoclonal antibodies as a prophylactic strategy against bloodstage malaria
Amount £38,574 (GBP)
Funding ID not known 
Organisation Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2021 
End 02/2022
 
Description MRC DPFS
Amount £602,000 (GBP)
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2015 
End 03/2017
 
Description MRC newton Vietnam
Amount £399,449 (GBP)
Funding ID MR/N028376/1 
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2016 
End 07/2018
 
Description Patent license fee for HexaGard
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Organisation UCB Pharma 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2012 
End 05/2018
 
Description Pathfinder
Amount £139,400 (GBP)
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2016 
End 07/2017
 
Description Redx Pharma PLC
Amount £98,000 (GBP)
Organisation Redx Pharma Plc 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 10/2016 
End 07/2022
 
Description SBRI Vaccines for Global Epidemics - Preclinical Stage 1
Amount £382,974 (GBP)
Funding ID 87113-544156 
Organisation Innovate UK 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2017 
End 05/2018
 
Description UCB Pharma Research Grant
Amount £40,000 (GBP)
Organisation UCB Pharma 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2016 
End 05/2017
 
Description UCB Pharma Research Grant
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Organisation UCB Pharma 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2015 
End 01/2016
 
Description Wellcome Trust - Multi-User Equipment Grant
Amount £600,000 (GBP)
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2014 
End 10/2019
 
Description Wellcome Trust ISSF
Amount £72,000 (GBP)
Organisation Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2015 
End 03/2016
 
Description Wellcome Trust Innovator Award
Amount £484,578 (GBP)
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2018 
End 02/2019
 
Title GFP-Mycobacterium tuberculosis 
Description We have generated a stable GFP-transformed Mtb. This allows the real-time monitoring of Mtb using fluorescence-based technologies. 
Type Of Material Cell line 
Year Produced 2013 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The GFP-tagged Mtb allows the investigator to "follow" the Mtb infection, replication and viability in a variety of model systems, e.g. intracellular systems, whole blood assay etc. 
 
Title Glycan ELISA 
Description Novel ELISA to detect binding to glycan receptors 
Type Of Material Physiological assessment or outcome measure 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Understanding that antibodies can interact with a greater number of receptors than previously thought 
URL https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007%2F978-1-4939-8958-4_20
 
Title High-content imaging platform for intracellular M. tuberculosis 
Description We have set up a high-content imaging platform for the measurement of intracellular M. tuberculosis. A clinically significant sub-population of Mtb is found inside host cells, e.g. macrophages. Using our HC platform we are now able to identify drugs that are active against this sub-population. This platform will have significant utility in identifying drugs that can treat drug persistent Mtb. 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2013 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This system is currently being evaluated as an improved in vitro system for the clinical prediction of drug activity. If found to be predictive, this system is likely to be incorporated into drug discovery pipelines used by industry and academia. 
 
Title Multi-User Equipment Grant entitled 'Supporting excellence in basic and clinical research: A flow cytometry/sorting and cell imaging platform for the genotypic and phenotypic analysis of Hazard Group 3 pathogens' 
Description Multi-User Equipment Grant entitled 'Supporting excellence in basic and clinical research: A flow cytometry/sorting and cell imaging platform for the genotypic and phenotypic analysis of Hazard Group 3 pathogens' We have set up to our knowledge the first dedicated HG3 imaging facility, able to sort and image HG3 pathogens, e.g. TB and HIV 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2014 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact It has just been set up, impact will be described next year 
 
Title Whole blood phagocytosis assay 
Description We developed this assay to measure neutrophil function in whole blood. This was initially done to measure the effect of P4 peptide on phagocytic function but has since be utilised by multiple different partners to measure neutrophil function in a variety of different ways (including neutrophil function after chemotherapy, neutrophil function in response to histone toxins and neutrophil function in paediatric patients) 
Type Of Material Biological samples 
Year Produced 2016 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Through this method we have established multiple partnerships with institutions at UoL, Alder Hey, Malawi Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Centre and Cambridge. These collaborations all have active research projects using the assay that will should come to fruition in the form of published manuscripts in the next couple of years. 
 
Title enose technology 
Description Collects organic volatile compounds - the headspace (air above the sample or just air in the case of breath) is pulled through the instruments in a controlled fashion and the instrument response to that sample recorded. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of Data/Biological Samples 
Year Produced 2013 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Ability to run samples in UHCW in cat III lab to profile organic compounds produced by disease 
 
Title OptiMal-PK: an internet-based, user-friendly interface for the mathematical-based design of optimized anti-malarial treatment regimens 
Description Background The search for highly effective anti-malarial therapies has gathered pace and recent years have seen a number of promising single and combined therapies reach the late stages of development. A key drug development challenge is the need for early assessment of the clinical utility of new drug leads as it is often unclear for developers whether efforts should be focused on efficacy or metabolic stability/exposure or indeed whether the continuation of iterative QSAR (quantitative structure-activity and relationships) cycles of medicinal chemistry and biological testing will translate to improved clinical efficacy. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD)-based measurements available from in vitro studies can be used for such clinical predictions. However, these predictions often require bespoke mathematical PK/PD modelling expertise and are normally performed after candidate development and, therefore, not during the pre-clinical development phase when such decisions need to be made. Methods An internet-based tool has been developed using STELLA® software. The tool simulates multiple differential equations that describe anti-malarial PK/PD relationships where the user can easily input PK/PD parameters. The tool utilizes a simple stop-light system to indicate the efficacy of each combination of parameters. This tool, called OptiMal-PK, additionally allows for the investigation of the effect of drug combinations with known or custom compounds. Results The results of simulations obtained from OptiMal-PK were compared to a previously published and validated mathematical model on which this tool is based. The tool has also been used to simulate the PK/PD relationship for a number of existing anti-malarial drugs in single or combined treatment. Simulations were predictive of the published clinical parasitological clearance activities for these existing therapies. Conclusions OptiMal-PK is designed to be implemented by medicinal chemists and pharmacologists during the pre-clinical anti-malarial drug development phase to explore the impact of different PK/PD parameters upon the predicted clinical activity of any new compound. It can help investigators to identify which pharmacological features of a compound are most important to the clinical performance of a new chemical entity and how partner drugs could potentially improve the activity of existing therapies. 
Type Of Material Computer model/algorithm 
Year Produced 2016 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The software has been used by a number of users for both teaching and research purposes. The use of the model has lowered the number of animal experiments in my laboratory but it is difficult to estimate how many in vivo experiments it has reduced externally. We are currently working to promote the on-line tool. 
URL http://optimalpk.lstmed.ac.uk
 
Description AMR Centre 
Organisation AMR Centre
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We are currently in discussion on industrial partnership to take P4 peptide forward to FIH studies.
Collaborator Contribution Currently in negotiation under NDA
Impact Nil yet
Start Year 2019
 
Description Absolute Antibody 
Organisation Absolute Antibody Ltd.
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have made novel constructs based on our MRC CiC award that we have now under MTA provided to Absolute Antibody. They will now try and functionalism our molecules with an aim to develop new diagnostics.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact We have made novel constructs based on our MRC CiC award that we have now under MTA provided to Absolute Antibody. They will now try and functionalism our molecules with an aim to develop new diagnostics.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Access to Syngenta Compunds 
Organisation Syngenta International AG
Department Syngenta Ltd (Bracknell)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution An agreement has been reached with Sygnenta for us to gain access and screen numerous compounds for anti infective activity
Collaborator Contribution Syngenta have agreed to provide up to 0.5million compounds for screening as potential antimalarial starting points and they have given us access to the structures to continue and enhance our research in this area.
Impact Still in progress
Start Year 2013
 
Description Astra Zeneca repurposing drugs 
Organisation AstraZeneca
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Assessing anti infective potential of AZ repurposing molecules.
Collaborator Contribution Provision of compounds for testing
Impact Still in progress
Start Year 2012
 
Description Collaborating with Abaxon Biologics 
Organisation Abaxon Biologics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Discussion are on-going with licensing monomeric-Fc patents covering new therapies for neurology
Collaborator Contribution Due diligence
Impact None as yet
Start Year 2018
 
Description Developing blockers of Zika infection 
Organisation University of Glasgow
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration with Professor Alain Kohl
Collaborator Contribution Will test our hypersialyaletd Fc fragments at controlling viruses
Impact none yet
Start Year 2019
 
Description Fc-vaccines for Zika 
Organisation University of Liverpool
Department Institute of Infection and Global Health
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are developing Zika vaccines using Fc-fusion technology developed in our laboratory.
Collaborator Contribution Lance Turtle contributed expertise on neutralisation assays for antibodies raised by vaccines to Zika
Impact None as yet
Start Year 2017
 
Description Glycomic characterisation of the IgG1-Fc glycan 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Determine glycan structures on our Fc-molecules
Collaborator Contribution Stuart Haslam determined the glycan structures
Impact Publication
Start Year 2018
 
Description Guangdong University of Technology, China (GDUT) 
Organisation Guangdong University of Technology
Country China 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have set up a Liverpool-Guangdong Drug Discovery Consortium. The consortium, made up of LSTM, University of Liverpool (UoL), Department of Chemistry and the Department of Pharmacy Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, China (GDUT), is focussed on the development of new drug therapies for the treatment of TB, Malaria and other infectious diseases. A new laboratory has been opened known as the " Liverpool-Guangzhou drug discovery joint laboratory", located at GDUT. The laboratory will accommodate a drug discovery team made up of staff and students from GDUT and other parts of China. Pre-clinical projects targeting TB as well as malaria and NTD infections will be co-developed by the consortium.
Collaborator Contribution We have set up a Liverpool-Guangdong Drug Discovery Consortium. The consortium, made up of LSTM, University of Liverpool (UoL), Department of Chemistry and the Department of Pharmacy Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, China (GDUT), is focussed on the development of new drug therapies for the treatment of TB, Malaria and other infectious diseases. A new laboratory has been opened known as the " Liverpool-Guangzhou drug discovery joint laboratory", located at GDUT. The laboratory will accommodate a drug discovery team made up of staff and students from GDUT and other parts of China. Pre-clinical projects targeting TB as well as malaria and NTD infections will be co-developed by the consortium.
Impact Compounds have been synthesised and teaching programs are being developed by the consortium
Start Year 2014
 
Description Hypersialylated Fcs for the treatment of antibody-mediated CNS demyelination and microglial activation 
Organisation Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Department Institute of Neuropathology
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have made novel glycosylated Fc fragments to replace IVIg in the treatment of demyelination
Collaborator Contribution Provide a ex-vivo model of neurodegeneration
Impact none yet
Start Year 2018
 
Description Hypersialylated blockers of Zika virus (ZIKV) infectivity and neuropathology. 
Organisation University of Glasgow
Department Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are testing hypersialylated Fc molecules for controlling Zika mediated neurodegeneration
Collaborator Contribution Provide virus models of neural degeneration
Impact too early
Start Year 2018
 
Description Imperial College 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We made Fc-proteins
Collaborator Contribution Our partners characterised the glycans on these molecules
Impact papers
Start Year 2012
 
Description Jenner Institute 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Jenner Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have designed new constructs for delivering antigens in malaria vaccines.
Collaborator Contribution The Jenner will test the immunogenicity of these constructs in animal models of malaria
Impact None as yet
Start Year 2014
 
Description Neutrophil bead assay: Use in sepsis and concomitant HIV 
Organisation Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have facilitated this project through common recruitment and use of staff to screen participants and enrol to the studies. We have acted as local (Malawi) lead for the project, including administrative support and ethical review.
Collaborator Contribution Research concept and assay have been developed by the collaborators. Training of local laboratory staff has been done through a site visit provided by the postdoctoral scientist form the project. SOPs have been contributed, and costs for the assay and sample collection are wholly funded by the collaborator.
Impact SOPs and assay QA procedures have been defined, and submitted for publication (under review). Ethics approval for sample collection has been given.
Start Year 2017
 
Description P4 collaboration group for DPFS bid 
Organisation Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Department Bacterial Pathogenesis
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We lead a group consisting of 2 hospital ITU teams, 3 laboratories and research teams focusing on developing the clinical use of the P4 peptide.
Collaborator Contribution CDC Atlanta provide P4 and intellectual input ITU teams recruit patients We collect samples Our lab and Kadioglu lab run assays ex vivo.
Impact We have been shortlisted for a DPFS award
Start Year 2012
 
Description P4 collaboration group for DPFS bid 
Organisation Grifols
Department Research and Development
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We lead a group consisting of 2 hospital ITU teams, 3 laboratories and research teams focusing on developing the clinical use of the P4 peptide.
Collaborator Contribution CDC Atlanta provide P4 and intellectual input ITU teams recruit patients We collect samples Our lab and Kadioglu lab run assays ex vivo.
Impact We have been shortlisted for a DPFS award
Start Year 2012
 
Description P4 collaboration group for DPFS bid 
Organisation University of Liverpool
Department Institute of Infection and Global Health
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We lead a group consisting of 2 hospital ITU teams, 3 laboratories and research teams focusing on developing the clinical use of the P4 peptide.
Collaborator Contribution CDC Atlanta provide P4 and intellectual input ITU teams recruit patients We collect samples Our lab and Kadioglu lab run assays ex vivo.
Impact We have been shortlisted for a DPFS award
Start Year 2012
 
Description Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC.) 
Organisation Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC)
Country China 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC.) and the Liverpool groups have begun a collaboration in drug discovery programs. SIOC is providing chemical compounds for screening and helping with complex synthetic routes whilst the Liverpool team is providing testing against TB, malaria and NTDs as well as full pre-clinical support (e.g. pharmacology, biology, med chem), to and clinical.
Collaborator Contribution Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC.) and the Liverpool groups have begun a collaboration in drug discovery programs. SIOC is providing chemical compounds for screening and helping with complex synthetic routes whilst the Liverpool team is providing testing against TB, malaria and NTDs as well as full pre-clinical support (e.g. pharmacology, biology, med chem), to and clinical.
Impact Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC.) and the Liverpool groups have begun a collaboration in drug discovery programs. SIOC is providing chemical compounds for screening and helping with complex synthetic routes whilst the Liverpool team is providing testing against TB, malaria and NTDs as well as full pre-clinical support (e.g. pharmacology, biology, med chem), to and clinical.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Shanghai Jiao Tong University 
Organisation Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Country China 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We make mutant Fcs and oligomeric Fc
Collaborator Contribution Our partners use state of the art cryo Atomic Force Microscopy to image the molecules we make
Impact Papers, more research
Start Year 2012
 
Description TB Alliance 
Organisation The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development
Country Global 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have developed inhibitors via the MRC funded project that are at lead stage - these are being tested presently. We are also in discussions with TBA regarding our high content imaging platform, the development of which is supported via a MRC CiC award
Collaborator Contribution TBAlliance have conducted in vivo PK studies on our lead compounds and we will shortly be conducting in vivo drug efficacy experiments using their TB drug development network If successful this will form the basis of a more extensive drug development programme
Impact TBAlliance are providing support in the way of in vivo PK and TB in vivo drug efficacy models (rodent acute model) If successful this will form the basis of a more extensive drug development programme
Start Year 2014
 
Description UCB Pharma 
Organisation UCB Pharma
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution As a consequence of MRC CIC investment we are in the process of licensing two patents and a trademark to UCB Pharma. Under the joint agreement UCB Pharma are funding an 18 month project to develop the prototype molecule.
Collaborator Contribution see above
Impact The joint agreement is still under review
Start Year 2013
 
Description University of Leeds 
Organisation University of Leeds
Department School of Physics and Astronomy
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have cloned adhirons from Leeds onto our hexa-Fc platform. And developed novel adhirons specific for pneumolysin with which to treat meningitis
Collaborator Contribution Provided the adhiron sequences
Impact In process
Start Year 2014
 
Description University of Oslo 
Organisation Oslo University Hospital
Country Norway 
Sector Hospitals 
PI Contribution We made mutant proteins
Collaborator Contribution Our partners investigated the interaction of our mutant proteins to FcRn
Impact Papers
Start Year 2012
 
Description University of Warwick 
Organisation University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We developed mutated Fc-proteins
Collaborator Contribution Our collaborator at Warwick investigated interactions with DC-SIGN
Impact Papers
Start Year 2012
 
Description Using pharmacokinetic - pharmacodynamic analyses to select optimal dosing for non-MDR pulmonary TB treatment failure patients in Vietnam 
Organisation Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
Country Viet Nam 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This collaboration has been funded via the MRC-Newton call in collaboration with the MOST ministry of Vietnam
Collaborator Contribution The collaboration is between the UK and a number of institutions in VN (listed above). The project is specifically trying to address the underlying reasons for TB treatment failures but in terms of training, UK researchers are providing training in Pharmacology, specifically pharmacokinetics and PK-PD modelling, addressing a specific expertise gap in VN and the National TB Programme.
Impact Uk researchers have been involved in training VN researchers in the UK and Ethics applications have been submitted and approved for the clinical study due to begin in May 2017.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Using pharmacokinetic - pharmacodynamic analyses to select optimal dosing for non-MDR pulmonary TB treatment failure patients in Vietnam 
Organisation Vietnam National Lung Hospital
Country Viet Nam 
Sector Hospitals 
PI Contribution This collaboration has been funded via the MRC-Newton call in collaboration with the MOST ministry of Vietnam
Collaborator Contribution The collaboration is between the UK and a number of institutions in VN (listed above). The project is specifically trying to address the underlying reasons for TB treatment failures but in terms of training, UK researchers are providing training in Pharmacology, specifically pharmacokinetics and PK-PD modelling, addressing a specific expertise gap in VN and the National TB Programme.
Impact Uk researchers have been involved in training VN researchers in the UK and Ethics applications have been submitted and approved for the clinical study due to begin in May 2017.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Using pharmacokinetic - pharmacodynamic analyses to select optimal dosing for non-MDR pulmonary TB treatment failure patients in Vietnam 
Organisation Vietnam National University
Country Viet Nam 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This collaboration has been funded via the MRC-Newton call in collaboration with the MOST ministry of Vietnam
Collaborator Contribution The collaboration is between the UK and a number of institutions in VN (listed above). The project is specifically trying to address the underlying reasons for TB treatment failures but in terms of training, UK researchers are providing training in Pharmacology, specifically pharmacokinetics and PK-PD modelling, addressing a specific expertise gap in VN and the National TB Programme.
Impact Uk researchers have been involved in training VN researchers in the UK and Ethics applications have been submitted and approved for the clinical study due to begin in May 2017.
Start Year 2015
 
Title CHIMERIC FC RECEPTOR BINDING PROTEINS AND USES THEREOF 
Description The present invention relates to chimeric proteins, to compositions comprising such proteins and to the medical uses of such proteins and compositions. In particular the proteins or compositions of the invention may be used in the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases or inflammatory diseases, or for the prevention or treatment of diseases mediated through binding of sialic acid dependent receptors, or as vaccines or as anti-cancer agents. One aspect of the invention relates to a chimeric Fc receptor binding protein which comprises two chimeric polypeptide chains, wherein each chimeric polypeptide chain comprises an immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region, a tailpiece region and a hinge region, wherein the amino acid sequence of each polypeptide chain possess a sugar moiety at or close to the N-terminus and a sugar moiety at or close to the C- terminus, and their use in the treatment or prevention of a disease mediated by a pathogen that relies on sialic acid receptors interactions. 
IP Reference WO2019175605 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2019
Licensed Commercial In Confidence
Impact Currently in negotiations for licensing
 
Title FUSION PROTEIN COMPRISING MULTIPLE HINGE SEQUENCES 
Description The invention relates to fusion polypeptides derived from IgG. The fusion polypeptides comprise a domain derived from an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region; and a plurality of hinge regions derived from IgG hinge sequences. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and to proteins comprising two fusion polypeptides of the invention. Also provided are a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion polypeptide and/or protein of the invention, and medical uses of the polypeptides, proteins, or compositions. 
IP Reference WO2019175606 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2019
Licensed No
Impact New approaches to deliver antigens that don't interfere with receptor binding
 
Title HexaGard UK00003018151 
Description A drug name for hexameric Fc fusion 
IP Reference  
Protection Trade Mark
Year Protection Granted 2013
Licensed Yes
Impact This patent has been licensed to UCB Pharma for further development and they are talking it into national phase. We now collaborate with UCB Pharma
 
Title IMMUNOMODULATORY PROTEINS 
Description A method for treatment of a mammalian subject for an autoimmune or inflammatory disease, the method comprising: administering to the mammalian subject an effective amount of a polymeric protein comprising five, six or seven polypeptide monomer units; wherein each polypeptide monomer unit comprises an Fc receptor binding portion comprising two immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant regions; wherein each immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region comprises a cysteine residue which is linked via a disulfide bond to a cysteine residue of an immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region of an adjacent polypeptide monomer unit; wherein the polymeric protein does not comprise a further immunomodulatory portion; or an antigen portion that causes antigen-specific immunosuppression when administered to the mammalian subject. 
IP Reference US2018362600 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2018
Licensed Yes
Impact To UCB pharma from 2015-2017. To be licensed to CSL Behring from mid 2019
 
Title IMMUNOMODULATORY PROTEINS 
Description A method for treatment of a mammalian subject for an autoimmune or inflammatory disease, the method comprising: administering to the mammalian subject an effective amount of a polymeric protein comprising five, six or seven polypeptide monomer units; wherein each polypeptide monomer unit comprises an Fc receptor binding portion comprising two immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant regions; wherein each immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region comprises a cysteine residue which is linked via a disulfide bond to a cysteine residue of an immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region of an adjacent polypeptide monomer unit; wherein the polymeric protein does not comprise a further immunomodulatory portion; or an antigen portion that causes antigen-specific immunosuppression when administered to the mammalian subject. 
IP Reference WO2014060712 
Protection Patent granted
Year Protection Granted 2014
Licensed Yes
Impact Non-exclusively licensed to UCB Pharma Patent has now been granted unopposed in Europe
 
Title MONOMERIC PROTEINS AND USES THEREOF 
Description Provided are proteins comprising two chimeric polypeptide chains; wherein each chimeric polypeptide chain comprises an Fc receptor binding portion comprising two immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant regions; and an immunoglobulin tailpiece region. The amino acid sequence and glycosylation of the tailpiece region of the proteins is adapted, as compared to the sequence and glycosylation of wild-type immunoglobulin, to inhibit polymerisation of the protein. The adaptation of the amino acid sequence may be the loss of a cysteine residue, for example the cysteine residue corresponding to residue 248 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The proteins may be used in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy. They may be used in the prevention or treatment of a disease mediated through binding of sialic acid-dependent receptors. Proteins of the invention may be used in the prevention and/or treatment of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. The proteins may be conjugated to an immune modulator, and in such cases are suitable for vaccine use. 
IP Reference WO2017191439 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2017
Licensed Commercial In Confidence
Impact Publication see Journal of Immunology 2018
 
Title Murine antibodies 
Description A mouse fusion protein comprising two chimeric polypeptide chains each comprising two murine IgG heavy chain chains having an immunoglobulin tailpiece from, or derived from, a non-native immunoglobulin and wherein the amino acid sequence of each of the IgG heavy chain constant regions comprises an amino acid modification (e.g. M84C) which promotes the multimerisation or polymerisation of the fusion protein. Preferably the tailpiece is human and is derived from IgM or IgA and has a substitution or deletion at residue C17. Preferably, each chimeric chain comprises one or more murine hinge regions and a targeting moiety such as an ntigen binding region, small molecule or nucleic acid. The invention further relates to the uses of the fusion protein to detect a target molecule in a sample, preferably as a means for diagnosis such as blood group haemagglutination. 
IP Reference GB2572008 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2019
Licensed No
Impact none as yet
 
Title POLYMERIC PROTEINS AND USES THEREOF 
Description Provided are polymeric proteins that comprise two or more polypeptide monomer units, each monomer unit comprising two chimeric protein chains. Each chimeric polypeptide monomer unit comprises an Fc receptor binding portion comprising two immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant regions,wherein each immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region comprises a cysteine residue which is linked via a disulfide bond to a cysteine residue of an immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region of an adjacent polypeptide monomer unit. Each chimeric protein chain also comprises a modified immunoglobulin M tailpiece region, wherein the amino acid sequence of each chimeric polypeptide monomer comprises an alteration of the primary structure as compared to the native sequences from which the immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region or immunoglobulin M tailpiece region are derived, and the alteration changes the number of glycosylation sites in a manner that promotes polymerisation. This promotion of polymerisation may lead to the generation of tetrameric, hexameric, and even dodecameric forms of the proteins. The proteins are suitable formedical uses,such as in the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Also provided are methods of treatment using the polymeric proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polymeric proteins. 
IP Reference WO2016009232 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2016
Licensed Commercial In Confidence
Impact N/A
 
Title Enose 
Description Data collection of organic compounds. The headspace (air above the sample or just air in the case of breath) is pulled through the instruments in a controlled fashion and the instrument response to that sample recorded. 
Type Diagnostic Tool - Non-Imaging
Current Stage Of Development Refinement. Non-clinical
Year Development Stage Completed 2013
Development Status Under active development/distribution
Impact If successful in clinical trials will be able to convert tool to a handheld machine for diagnosis in rural settings 
 
Title HexaGard 
Description We have licensed patents related to this molecule with UCB Pharma. We are now collaborating with UCB to refine the molecule towards pre-clinical development 
Type Therapeutic Intervention - Drug
Current Stage Of Development Refinement. Non-clinical
Year Development Stage Completed 2014
Development Status Under active development/distribution
Impact A collaborative project with UCB Pharma 
URL http://immunologynews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/generating-alternative-to-ivig-therapy.html
 
Title New Drug against TB 
Description Lead series identification. The series has activity against MDR TB and currently being assessed for in vivo efficacy 
Type Therapeutic Intervention - Drug
Current Stage Of Development Initial development
Year Development Stage Completed 2010
Development Status Under active development/distribution
Impact Lead series identification. The series has activity against MDR TB and currently being assessed for in vivo efficacy. The lead series have a novel mode of action. 
 
Title New drug against malaria 
Description New drug target against malaria identified. There are several projects under way from hit identification to late leads. These projects are in collaboration with GSK and AZ and involve MMV (malaria PDP). 
Type Therapeutic Intervention - Drug
Current Stage Of Development Initial development
Year Development Stage Completed 2008
Development Status Under active development/distribution
Impact New drug target against malaria identified. There are several projects under way from hit identification to late leads. These projects are in collaboration with GSK and AZ and involve MMV (malaria PDP). 
URL http://mmv.org
 
Title Phase 1 Clinical Trial Authorisation Application 
Description Following on from the MRC CiC award we established that P4 peptide effectively increased neutrophil activity in cells taken from patients on the ITU with severe infection. We used this information to successfully apply for a MRC DPFS award to fund pre-clinical toxicology studies in rats and dogs. Now, having successfully completed this project, we were invited to apply for a full application to the MRC DPFS scheme to fund a phase 1 clincial trial at the Royal Liverpool Univeristy Hospital (panel meeting is 20th September). 
Type Therapeutic Intervention - Drug
Current Stage Of Development Refinement. Non-clinical
Year Development Stage Completed 2017
Development Status Actively seeking support
Impact N/A, see above 
 
Description Barcelona Grifols ISR meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Aiming to engage commercial sponsorship in research with MRC help

DPFS 2014 application
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description CDC visit to LSTM and UoL 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Participants in your research and patient groups
Results and Impact Ed Ades from CDC visited the UK, spoke in Leicester, Univ of Liverpool and UoL.
P4 project grew as a result, now approaching DPFS application.

Further grants (e.g. Grifols sponsorship) and then DPFS application (rated fundable but not funded in 2013).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012
 
Description European Society of Intensive Care Medicine Conference Presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation of work funded by MRC CiC 2012 ward.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.esicm.org/news-article/promo-reminder-abstract-submission-LIVES-2016
 
Description Glycan engineering for vaccines presented at Pirbright 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact BSI frontiers in human immunology antibody discovery
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.immunology.org/events/frontiers-in-human-and-veterinary-antibody-discovery
 
Description HOWSTUFFWORKS 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Viking Toilet Worm Investigation Finds Genetic Clues to Emphysema's Origins
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://now.howstuffworks.com/2016/02/12/viking-toilet-investigation-emphysema#!
 
Description Human Challenge Models workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Lancet Infectious Diseases report as per papers

MRC Programme grant Expt Human Pneumococcal Carriage funded Nov 2014
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description IFLS Blog - Viking Worm Infestation May Provide Genetic Link To Modern Lung Disease 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Viking Worm Infestation May Provide Genetic Link To Modern Lung Disease Blog
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/viking-worm-infestation-may-provide-genetic-link-moder...
 
Description ITU conference 2013 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presented to ITU clinicians and have now engaged 2 ITU teams in P4 research.

ITU groups now welcome phase 2 study.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description Institutional visit 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited Speaker at the University of Saarland, Saarbrucken, Germany
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Institutional visit 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited Speaker at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig, Germany
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description International Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Invited Speaker 19th May 2018. 11th International Congress on Autoimmunity. Lisbon. Invited by Fabian Kasermann CSL Behring. N-terminal hinge glycosylation brings novel receptor binding properties to human IgG1-Fc multimers and monomers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://autoimmunity.kenes.com/2018#.W8CDcS2ZNBy
 
Description Invited Lecture 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact 19th September 2018. IITM Perspectives Meeting: Biologics as Therapeutics. Invited by Profs. Chris Tang and Helen McShane. University of Oxford. N-terminal hinge glycosylation for novel receptor interactions of IgG Fc monomers and multimers . University of Oxford doctoral training programme. I provided the wisdom of my experience about translating research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://iitmoxford.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/booklet_iitm_symposium-2018.pdf
 
Description Invited Speaker - Antibiotic Discovery UK Ltd, London 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Participants in your research and patient groups
Results and Impact Talk followed by Q&A session

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Invited Speaker at the "Closing the Global Health Divide through Partnership Driven Innovation Meeting" 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The event represented a collective call for greater cross-border and cross-sector collaboration to ensure global preparedness for the inevitable resurgence of infectious diseases that disproportionally affect the poorest of the poor in developing countries. A series of presentations and interactive panels articulated the need for partnerships in global health and explored the challenges associated with R&D for infectious diseases.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Invited Speaker at the 2014 Towards New Therapeutics for Diseases of the Developing World Conference, Spain 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Participants in your research and patient groups
Results and Impact Talk sparked Q&A session and discussion afterwards

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Manchester Science Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Workshop Facilitator
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact October 2013 Manchester Science Festival at MOSI took part in 'I'm a scientist, talk to me' with Science Grrl. Over 100,000 attendees for the festival. Spoke to children and adults, mainly 5 -17 years old.

not known
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description Mental Floss Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Link made between emphysema, worm infections and Vikings
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://mentalfloss.com/article/77110/vikings-parasites-may-have-led-lung-problems-their-modern-desce...
 
Description P4 CIC - ICUsteps 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We have engaged with ICUsteps, a national organisation that supports ex-critical care patients recovering after critical illness. Members of this organisation have advised in preparation of the Sepsis project and also for submission of the fellowship proposal
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Plenary Speaker at the Joint International Tropical Medicine Meeting (JITMM), Thailand 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Keynote/Invited Speaker
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact 200+ attendees, mainly academics and pharma

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description Press Release - New Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Paper Presentation
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Press release of the new LSTM Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics

A breakfast launch meeting was hosted at the British Society for Parasitology in Nest Gardens, 2013 with 20+ representatives of Small-Medium Enterprises
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://www.lstmliverpool.ac.uk/about-lstm/news-and-media/latest-news/launch-of-the-lstm-research-cen...
 
Description Radio Show SciFri 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I spoke on BBC Radio Merseyside on their SciFri programme on the Breathspec device and new recruitment starting at several hospitals and GP surgeries across the region.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Radio interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact local and regional radio interviews

public engagement
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description School Visit (Chester) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Keynote/Invited Speaker
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 60 children attended - this was a presentation by me and interactive sessions with the children and teachers.

My visit was discussed by the headmaster at the whole school level and was reported to governors and in local news.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description Science Festival - Lancashire 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Workshop Facilitator
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact June 2013 the Lancashire Science Festival at UCLAN took part in 'I'm a scientist, talk to me' with Science Grrl. 2500 attendees of all ages, spoke to mainly children aged 4-12.

not known
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://sciencegrrl.co.uk/lancashire-science-festival/
 
Description Series of Rational Drug Discovery lectures (Undergraduate) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact To provide a better understanding how the students can translate their science / research activities to have more impact in terms of generating and developing products such as drugs, insecticides etc.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Series of rational drug discovery lectures (Post Graduate) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact To provide a better understanding how the students can translate their science / research activities to have mor eimpact in terms of generating and developing products such as drugs, insecticides etc.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description new anti-influenza drugs highlighted by Science Daily 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190125120114.htm
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190125120114.htm
 
Description presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Paper Presentation
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Health professionals
Results and Impact WIDER group on Enose technology

Networking opportunity
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013