The University of Manchester (UoM) bid for phase 5 of MRC Confidence in Concept (CiC) funding
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
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.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Publications
Arendsen LJ
(2020)
Entraining Alpha Activity Using Visual Stimulation in Patients With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Feasibility Study.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Arno MC
(2020)
Exploiting the role of nanoparticle shape in enhancing hydrogel adhesive and mechanical properties.
in Nature communications
Bahri R
(2018)
Mast cell activation test in the diagnosis of allergic disease and anaphylaxis.
in The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
Conroy P
(2018)
Time for a quick word? The striking benefits of training speed and accuracy of word retrieval in post-stroke aphasia.
in Brain : a journal of neurology
Conroy P
(2018)
Report on a novel treatment approach to aphasia: time for a quick word?
in British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing
Heald A
(2020)
Application of SWATH mass spectrometry in the identification of circulating proteins does not predict future weight gain in early psychosis.
in Clinical proteomics
Lopez-Diaz K
(2021)
Alpha entrainment drives pain relief using visual stimulation in a sample of chronic pain patients: a proof-of-concept controlled study.
in Neuroreport
Murray PG
(2018)
Transcriptomics and machine learning predict diagnosis and severity of growth hormone deficiency.
in JCI insight
Nitkunanantharajah S
(2020)
Three-dimensional optoacoustic imaging of nailfold capillaries in systemic sclerosis and its potential for disease differentiation using deep learning.
in Scientific reports
Patel K
(2020)
Using EEG Alpha States to Understand Learning During Alpha Neurofeedback Training for Chronic Pain.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Patel K
(2020)
Effects of neurofeedback in the management of chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.
in European journal of pain (London, England)
Wilkinson S
(2022)
Photoacoustic imaging is a novel tool to measure finger artery structure and oxygenation in patients with SSc.
in Scientific reports
| Company Name | COMPLEMENT THERAPEUTICS LIMITED |
| Description | Complement Therapeutics is a company focused on developing novel solutions to modulate Complement System disorders that give rise to both common and rare disease. The company is committed to pursuing clinical success through innovative thinking and research and the translation of these into effective treatments. We had invented a soluble inhibitor of the complement system, that we wanted to develop as a biologic therapeutic for use in diseases where an over active complement system was a major driver. The inhibitor (termed Chialexin) was glycosylated which prevented its passage through basement membranes, something we wanted to overcome. Removal of the glycosylation allowed membrane transport to take place, but non-glycosylated Chialexin would not express in a mammalian cell, making it impossible to manufacture. We aimed to develop 'molecular tugs', glycosylated secretion signal peptides, that promoted the cellular secretion of non-glycosylated proteins. One year after funding, Chialexin was superseded by a second-generation product, Coalexin, which could both secrete from a mammalian cell and cross basement membranes. However, the IP generated around Chialexin, and the knowledge gained through the project, remain valuable assets and have been subsequently incorporated into a UoM spin-out company Complement Therapeutics (incorporated 2021, secured €5million seed fund 2022, actively raising series A funding). The technology and know-how generated through this CiC funding round were instrumental in paving the spinning out of Complement Therapeutics, which plans to deliver its leading asset into phase I/IIa trials in 2024. The lead asset, CTx001 (based on Coalexin), aims to treat patients suffering from the dry form of age-related macular degeneration, the third leading cause of blindness in the world. |
| Year Established | 2020 |
| Impact | Our lead product, CTx001, is in pre-clinical development for the localised treatment of Geographic Atrophy ('dry' age-related macular degeneration). In addition, we are developing therapeutics that are aimed at systemic modulation of the complement system. We anticipate that these assets will meet the needs of a wide range of patients with complement-mediated disease. Identified and corrected: flaws in other previous Complement-related approaches to treating Geographic Atrophy The flaws we have identified have prevented these other therapies from delivering their intended effects. In developing our own approaches, we have carefully analysed all aspects of the Complement System, investigated where therapies to date have fallen down and explored how we should avoid the flaws we have identified. Given the strategic importance of Chialexin (now known as CTx002) and Coalexin (CTx001), we never actually published any of our PoC data. We have, however, filled seven patents around the technology either directly or as a result of their use. All of the assets and IP are assigned from the UoM to Complement Therapeutics (see https://complementtx.com). The outcome of the funding is quite unusual as it was the first step (of many) that led to the founding of a UoM spin-out company Complement Therapeutics (see https://complementtx.com/), which recently raised €5million in seed funding. While the product at the centre of the CiC funding itself was not a raging success, the knowledge and data gained med to a second generation product that led to the formation of the company. However, the 'ghost' of this project lives on and the IP generated is incorporated into the company and is currently being revived as one of the company's alternative assets. |
| Website | https://complementtx.com/ |
| Company Name | ROSTRA THERAPEUTICS LTD |
| Description | THE COMPANY Rostra Therapeutics will be a spin-out company from the University of Strathclyde, which is exploiting innovative drug discovery technology created in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science. The Rostra team of three scientists and two commercial leaders is supported by a virtual expert network allowing for the core team to remain small, and focussed on efficiently developing novel medicines. Rostra Therapeutic's short to medium term goal is to develop specific 2nd generation of S-MGBs through lead optimisation, up to pre-IND and onto phase I clinical development. |
| Year Established | 2022 |
| Impact | The Strathclyde Minor Groove Binder (S-MGB) platform was originally developed under the leadership of Professor Colin Suckling. The initial S-MGB concept dates back to 2003, and has been a dedicated research priority for the University of Strathclyde since then. Since 2010, Dr Fraser Scott and Prof. Colin Suckling, working closely with Prof. Iain Hunter, have advanced the understanding of S-MGBs to develop a 2nd generation of this drug class. The Rostra Therapeutics team in its current form has been working together since July 2021, when commercial champion, Mr David Findlay, MBA was appointed by the University to help lead the commercialisation. David worked closely alongside Mr John Mulgrew, MBA from the Innovation and Industry Engagement directorate at the University. We are focused on accelerating the route to market through parallel development programmes, collaborations, and the use of accelerated regulatory routes. The 2nd generation S-MGBs have the potential to treat a variety of serious infections. Based on a clear unmet clinical need, positive data gathered to date and a viable commercial market, Rostra Therapuetic's initial focus is on developing S-MGBs to treat serious fungal infections. |
| Website | https://www.rostratx.com/about |
| Description | Gene Expression Data and Diagnosis of GHD - Presentations at British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentations at British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology - won best clinical abstract award. Data presented at NovoNordisk meeting on GH in Copenhagan and we will be including an element of our transcriptomic research into two upcoming industry studies on long acting growth hormone (REAL4 and REAL5). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |