Scaling up translational research through the Confidence in Concept (CiC) scheme
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
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 |
| Description | Development of a novel polymeric trans-catheter aortic valve to improve durability in high-risk patients |
| Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2021 |
| End | 09/2023 |
| Description | SBRI |
| Amount | £1,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2020 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | Cambridge Cognition: AboutFace |
| Organisation | Cambridge Cognition Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Development of an application to improve emotional face processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration on development and business planning of app |
| Impact | In development. Successful in DPFS at ouline |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Evotec: drug to treat genetic forms of Nephrotic Syndrome |
| Organisation | Evotec |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | pathway to full clinical development of the first drug to treat genetic forms of Nephrotic Syndrome |
| Collaborator Contribution | Material licence signed with Evotec who will repeat our in vitro and in vivo studies to validate results, They may support downstream medicinal chemistry and pre-clinical development |
| Impact | • Domainex subcontracted for protein expression, medicinal chemistry and assay development • Have discussed project under NDA with LifeArc, Evotec, Retrophin, Bridge Bio inc and Goldfinch • Applied for £750,000 Wellcome Innovator Award to develop lead series. • Discussing possible deals with Retrophin and Goldfinch • Material licence signed with Evotec who will repeat our in vitro and in vivo studies to validate results, They may support downstream medicinal chemistry and pre-clinical development • Patent filed |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Gene therapy in the kidney - refining a final product for DPFS and first in man studies |
| Organisation | Syncona |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Gene therapy in the kidney - refining a final product for DPFS and first in man studies |
| Collaborator Contribution | • In reasonably advanced discussion with Syncona around potential renal gene therapy spin-out. This program (for steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome may be licensed in). |
| Impact | • DPFS submitted but unsuccessful at outline. Panel feedback acknowledged and discussed with Penny Morton. Re-submission planned. • In reasonably advanced discussion with Syncona around potential renal gene therapy spin-out. This program (for steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome may be licensed in). • Offer of co-development and licence deal on table from Retrophin although lack track record in gene therapy. • Positive interaction with MHRA Innovation Office to confirm pre-clinical date requirements. • Also discussed with AstraZeneca (very positive but not an indication they wish to pursue), BridgeBio, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund and AdventLS. • Possible gap funding from Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Centre and CMO wishing to expand into AAV production. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Title | Polymeric heart valve |
| Description | a novel polymeric trans-catheter aortic valve to improve durability in high-risk patients |
| IP Reference | US2017/0014546 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | In development |
| Company Name | CAMBRIS CARDIAC LIMITED |
| Description | Cambris Cardiac are developing polymeric heart valve technologies. |
| Year Established | 2021 |
| Impact | N/A |
| Company Name | FERRYX LIMITED |
| Description | Ferryx are developing a safe and effective probiotic to prevent or treat gastrointestinal inflammation. Unlike many conventional probiotics, our proprietary strain thrives in the inflamed gut and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. |
| Year Established | 2019 |
| Impact | Too early to record notable impacts. |
| Company Name | PURESPRING THERAPEUTICS LIMITED |
| Description | Purespring will develop gene therapies directly targeting the glomerulus in the kidney, which could see treatment progress from lab to patients in three or four years. The company will also have access to an in-vivo functional screening platform, FunSel, to screen for cell-specific protective factors delivered via gene therapy, that could have applications across several kidney diseases. |
| Year Established | 2020 |
| Impact | The University of Bristol has secured a £45million deal to advance its groundbreaking gene therapy technology for chronic kidney diseases. The commitment, made by healthcare company Syncona Ltd to Bristol spin-out Purespring Therapeutics, aims to address a global unmet need for renal conditions in one of the largest single investments made to a new UK university biotech company. |