Increasing the translational impact of drug discovery
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
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Technical Summary
The MRC Proximity to Discovery scheme awards universities funds to help develop new collaborations, and ways of exchanging knowledge and skills. The awards can be used to support activities that promote the value of academic-industry partnership, and enhance academic and industry researchers’ understanding of each other’s needs and capabilities. This may be through people exchanges, creation of technology demonstrators, showcase events, commercialisation workshops and ‘entrepreneurs in residence’ schemes. Such exchanges of knowledge and skills will boost the most fruitful collaborations between UK universities and life science companies.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Description | DPFS |
| Amount | £2,300,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/P012248/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2017 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Scottish HEI-industry collaboration |
| Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Government of Scotland |
| Department | Scottish Funding Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 02/2021 |
| Description | Collaboration Agreement with Leo Pharma |
| Organisation | LEO Pharma (including subsidiary Peplin Ltd) |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | A research collaboration agreement has been concluded with Leo Pharma and a joint advisory board established between the 2 parties. The DDU has presented projects being developed by the DDU has Leo Pharma has presented a number of projects that they would wish to forma collaboration round. One of this projects is now in development and an application submitted the MRC DPFS. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Leo Pharma has provided invaluable advice of the Dundee's dermatology portfolio including advice of target product profiles and formulation. Leo has also provided target validation data in support of a project that we wish to collaborate on. |
| Impact | Application to MRC DPRP approved at stage 1 with a full application to be submitted by 15th March |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Research Collaboration Agreement with AstraZeneca |
| Organisation | AstraZeneca |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Dundee presented a drug target that had been screened in the DDU in 2013. Confirmed hits were optimised but not further developable. We discussed with AZ a desire to screen against a different library to look for new start points |
| Collaborator Contribution | AZ have provided diversity and fragment libraries to Dundee |
| Impact | A new diversity screen will be completed q1 2017 |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Research Collaboration Agreement with BI and University of Berlin |
| Organisation | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Department | Animal Health |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The DDU hosted a postdoc for 6 months and contributed overheads, consumables and staff time |
| Collaborator Contribution | BI funded the salary cost for the postdoc |
| Impact | New assays developed for parasitic diseases in animals |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Research Collaboration Agreement with Wave Life Sciences |
| Organisation | Wave Life Sciences |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | With support from P2D 2 researchers from the University of Dundee spent a week at Wave Life Sciences helping to develop a new in situ hybridisation assay and to demonstrate technologies with the Dundee owned skin explant model. The new assay will be able to detect the exact location of nucleic acids in the sub-layers of the skin following topical application. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Wave supplies their proprietary nucleic acid therpeutics technology and knowledge of treating genetic diseases |
| Impact | Dundee had a pre-existing relationship with Wave Life Sciences but the exchange visit in 2017 led to a research collaboration as part of an MRC DPFS award in which Wave made an additional cash contribution of £200,000 plus in kind contribution of £280,000. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Research collaboration with Corbin Therapeutics |
| Organisation | McGill University |
| Department | Department of Biochemistry |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A screen was run using MALDI-TOF mass spec against 16,000 compounds followed by a number of rounds of hot expansion |
| Collaborator Contribution | McGill University supplied the protein and confirmed hits in in vitro assays |
| Impact | The collaboration is ongoing and has is currently subject to license negotiation that will deliver a financial return to the University. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Title | HepaRegeniX exercise option to acquire DDU compounds |
| Description | the DDU performed assay development and screening in collaboration with newco HepaRegeniX. In 2016 HepaRegeniX exercised an option to acquire sole ownership of the research data and paid an option fee of £165,900 |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Protection not required |
| Year Protection Granted | 2016 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | Income of £165,900 to the University of Dundee |
| Title | SKIN SAMPLE CULTURE AND MEMBRANE TEST DEVICE |
| Description | An apparatus for high throughput screening which has a base with channels for receiving a reagent. The channels are spaced across the surface of the base and have one or more walls which extend through the base from a first base surface to a second base surface. A compression member containing a plurality of openings which extend through the compression member and which are positioned across the surface of the compression member, one or more o-' said openings being positioned for alignment with a corresponding channel in the base. A grip for removably securing the compression member to the base such that when a compressible sheet s positioned across the channel between the base and the compression member and fixed by the grip, parts of the compressible sheet are compressed between the base and the compression member to form a seal between the base and the compression member such that and the compressible sheet and walls of the base form one or more wels for containing the reagent. |
| IP Reference | WO2017198987 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | We are in licensing discussions with Genoskin, the current market leader in the supply of human skin samples for research |
| Title | SKIN SAMPLE CULTURE APPARATUS |
| Description | A skin sample culture apparatus which has a base frame, with a skin sample receiving surface upon which at least part of the skin sample may be p aced and which extends across an area defined by the shape of the frame. A securing member which is releasably connectable to the base frame and a grip which holds the skin sample under tension. The apparatus may include a tensioner to hold the sample under tension and means for introducing a fluid to the upper or lower surface of the sample. |
| IP Reference | WO2017198988 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | We are in licensing discussions with Genoskin, the current market leader in the supply of human skin samples for research |
| Description | AZ Open Innovation Platform Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Supported and attended the AZ Open Innovation Event at the University. PIs from the Schools of Life Sciences and Medicine attended and had follow up meetings with AZ. At least 1 projects has been supported to date with other discussions on going. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Astex Therapeutics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Following initial contact at BioEurope in November 2015 Alexion visited the DDU and School of Life Sciences. A collaboration agreement is under discussion with Dr Miratul Muqit regarding a Parkinson's project. Astex will hire the post doc under their Sustaining Innovation Postdoctoral research programme. It will be a collaborative appointment between Astex and Miratul's lab. The post doc will be based at Astex initially with travel to Dundee and the potential for a relocation to Dundee in the latter stages of the project. The agreement will be concluded once the post doc has been recruited. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Attended BioTrinity 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Attended BioTrinity event in London on 9th May 2017 and met with more than 10 companies and investment finance groups. Follow up meetings have been held with Lilly, Epidarex and the University of Nottingham |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | BI Animal Heath visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | senior delegation from BI Animal Health visited in August 2016 to discuss collaboration. Decision have been delayed due to BI's asset swap with Sanofi |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | DDU @ 10 conference hosted at Dundee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dundee hosted a 3-day conference event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the DDU. The event was by invitation externally and open to the investigators from the University of Dundee. Delegates included industry, academia, funding bodies and government ministers and associated organisations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.dundee.ac.uk/news/2016/global-experts-celebrate-10th-anniversary-of-drug-discovery-unit.... |
| Description | DDU exhibited at Innovation in Pharma event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The DDU exhibited at the 4th annual Open Innovation in Pharma event in Vienna in November 2016 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://fleming.events/events/pharma/open-innovation-pharma-biotech-conference |
| Description | DDU sponsored a re-entering antibacterial research drug discovery summit event in Boston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The DDU attended an anti-bacterial drug discovery summit in Boston in 2016 and had bespoke flyers made for addition to conference packs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://antibacterialdrugdevelopmentsummit.com |
| Description | Eurofins visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A senior delegation from Eurofins visited in July 2017. The Dundee site has down sized and the company is looking for interactions with local industry and academia. The visit was coordinated by Scottish Enterprise |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Hosted a day with Advent Life Sciences |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hosted a team of 3 from Advent Life Sciences to view potential spin-out opportunities from the University of Dundee. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Hosted a visit from Ex Scientia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hosted a visit form local biotech company Ex Scientia. We are planning to establish a research collaboration around new targets and will seek joint funding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Hosting a visit form Shionogi |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 3 delegates from Shionogi Pharma visited the DDU in May 2017 to discuss possible collaboration in antibacterial drug discovery. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Maruc Evans R&D scouting in pharma event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Julie Brady presented at a Marcus Evans R&D Scouting in Pharma event and took part in a discussion panel. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.marcusevans-conferences-paneuropean.com/marcusevans-conferences-event-details.asp?EventID... |
| Description | MedChemNet Video Interviews |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 3 DDU portfolio leaders recorded interviews on the MedChemNet website. Each received follow up emails and communications |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.medchemnet.com/users/18992-peter-brown/posts/16566-chagas-interview-with-kevin-read |
| Description | Merck interest in oncology target |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Merck visited the DDU with an interest in our Fan1 project in collaboration with Professor John Rouse. They have their own in-house programme and were information gathering rather than looking to partner |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Visit form J&JI |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | J&JI recruited a new medicinal chemist who subsequently visited the DDU. J&J has reviewed 2 DDU projects under CDA but no further action taken |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Visit from Alexion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Following an initial meeting at Bio International in June 2014 Alexion visited the DDU to discuss possible collaboration opportunities. They were interested in a project that was already partnered. Tis project has now been released so follow up discussion is planned. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |