The University of Manchester (UoM) bid for phase 7 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 (CIC) scheme is a key part of MRC’s translational research strategy and provides annual awards to institutions to flexibly support a portfolio of early stage translational research projects. CIC is designed to accelerate the transition from discovery research to viable translational projects by supporting preliminary studies to establish proof-of-concept so that the approach will then become competitive for more substantial translational funding
People |
ORCID iD |
Publications
Smith TAD
(2020)
Selection of endogenous control genes for normalising gene expression data derived from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour tissue.
in Scientific reports
Worth C
(2020)
Continuous glucose monitoring for hypoglycaemia in children: Perspectives in 2020.
in Pediatric diabetes
Patel K
(2020)
Smart Biofeedback - Perspectives and Applications
Worth C
(2020)
Longitudinal Auxological recovery in a cohort of children with Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia.
in Orphanet journal of rare diseases
Worth C
(2020)
Complexities in the medical management of hypoglycaemia due to congenital hyperinsulinism.
in Clinical endocrinology
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
Fernández-Soto P
(2021)
Discovery of uncompetitive inhibitors of SapM that compromise intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
in Scientific reports
Wakeling MN
(2022)
Non-coding variants disrupting a tissue-specific regulatory element in HK1 cause congenital hyperinsulinism.
in Nature genetics
Zhang J
(2022)
Inhibiting ERK5 Overcomes Breast Cancer Resistance to Anti-HER2 Therapy By Targeting the G1-S Cell-Cycle Transition
in Cancer Research Communications
| Description | Advanced nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve repair |
| Organisation | 3D Technology Laboratories |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | NIHR funded Phase 1 clinical investigation into use of nerve guidance conduit 'Polynerve' in 17 patients with digital nerve injuries at MFT. New collaboration with 30 Technology (https://30.technology) funding a joint PhD studentship with Advanced Biomedical Materials CDT; Julie Gough as PI. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Polynerve is currently under due diligence procedures with Dutch venture building company. Novel treatments for nerve injured patients. |
| Impact | NIHR funded Phase 1 clinical investigation into use of nerve guidance conduit 'Polynerve' in 17 patients with digital nerve injuries at MFT. New collaboration with 30 Technology (https://30.technology) funding a joint PhD studentship with Advanced Biomedical Materials CDT; Julie Gough as PI. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Company Name | RETENDON LIMITED |
| Description | A Rapid Integrated Tendon Repair System (RITRS) The University signed heads of terms with NLC Healthcare Ltd for licensing of technology developed on this product prior to this grant so far - so this MRC CiC technology is very likely to be translated further. Company is called Retendon Ltd https://retendon.com Various manufacturing processes have been considered and attempted to produce prototypes of product 1 and 2 (including injection moulding and fused deposition moulding). However, due to the small dimensions of the products and the complex geometry, the only available solution was to use Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). A few prototypes have been produced using the printer sPro60 made from Nylon. However, optimisation of the printing process still needs to be obtained. A step forward was made in order to obtain the polycaprolactone (PCL) powder, needed to print the product made from PCL. Indeed, various companies (e.g. have been contacted (i.e. Solvay, Perstorp, Ingevity and 3D Systemes) to supply the PCL powder needed to use with the sPro60 printer. However, none of these suppliers was able to provide the desired material. Therefore, a new investment has been put in place in order to purchase a cryogenic mixer mill (Cryomill, Retsch) and produce in-house PCL powder. A thorough market report on endoscopes currently available, which could be adapted to product 1 has been delivered, highlighting various opportunities already available in the market. Moreover, constant discussion for IP protection have taken place. A spin-off company was established in July 2021 named "Retendon Ltd." In collaboration with NLC Ventures. Finally, the road map of the project has been evaluated for further grant applications |
| Year Established | 2021 |
| Impact | Improved healthcare benefits for patients who need tendons reattaching. RITRS would enable patients earlier movement, much better range of motion &smaller wounds, leading to 1) more satisfactory outcome, 2) reduced burden of reoperation,&3) faster recovery & reduced follow-up required (potentially by 50%) Improved health economics for NHS Improved economy for UK as potential industry translation likely due to recent HoT with NLC Healthcare |
| Website | https://retendon.com |
| Company Name | TABRIX LIMITED |
| Description | Created a new company, TaBriX (https://tabrix.co.uk/) Signed collaboration agreement with Global TB Alliance Yes, have raised £102K form CCF funding and £55K from WT-P4T to test efficacy of the new compounds developed. Health benefit in an area of unmet need. New drugs to treat TB will have a world-wide health benefit, impact in society, the clinic and health system. Every year > 1.6m people die of TB and ~ 10m get infected. |
| Year Established | 2021 |
| Impact | Created a new company, TaBriX (https://tabrix.co.uk/) Signed collaboration agreement with Global TB Alliance Yes, have raised £102K form CCF funding and £55K from WT-P4T to test efficacy of the new compounds developed. Health benefit in an area of unmet need. New drugs to treat TB will have a world-wide health benefit, impact in society, the clinic and health system. Every year > 1.6m people die of TB and ~ 10m get infected. |
| Website | https://tabrix.co.uk/) |
| Company Name | APINI THERAPEUTICS LIMITED |
| Description | Development of eNAMPT modulators as a therapeutic approach to the treatment of Tiple Negative Breast Cancer. The data from this study partly underpins Apini Therapeutics, a spin out formed in late 2021 to develop the Manchester eNAMPT modulators, which is currently seeking to raise £3.4M seed funding. |
| Year Established | 2021 |
| Impact | This work is ongoing, however initial data on the effects of eNAMPT on the proliferation and migration of cancer cell lines in vitro shows a more limited effect than seen the literature. As a result we are no longer investigating the direct anti-tumour effects, however we do observe significant release of eNAMPT in cell cultures so are following up on the impact of this on innate immune cells to understand and validate role of NAMPT and our eNAMPT modulators in this setting. The spin out company will provide economic benefits through likely international commercialisation of a UK-discovered and developed drug with a potential market value of >$1Bn pa. |
| Description | Implementation of a bladder cancer hypoxia gene expression signature: transcriptome platform selection |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference abstract: Smith T, AbdelKarem O, Irlam-Jones J, Valentine H, Lane B, Lunj S, More E, Choudhury A, West C. Implementation of a bladder cancer hypoxia gene expression signature: transcriptome platform selection. EACR Jun 2021 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |