PolyTherics Ltd - News on 01 October 2007

2008
PolyTherics and Alligator Bioscience announces strategic collaboration for optimisation of next generation biopharmaceuticals
Secretary of State John Denham visits PolyTherics
Novel Approach to Drug Insolubility strengthens PolyTherics patent estate
PolyTherics expands Collaboration with Biocompatibles
PolyTherics-Celtic Pharma Collaboration Agreement to explore technologies for improved drug performance
New Consortium announces Significant Grant Funding of Anaemia product programme

2007
PolyTherics highlighted by UK Trade & Investment
Antony Godwin from PolyTherics ties the knot
PolyTherics and BioVectra dcl sign Manufacturing and Representation Deal
Innovative Biopharmaceutical Company, PolyTherics, raises over £2 million
TheraPEG ™ technology ideal for drugs for developing countries

2006
TheraPEG ™ technology wins Research Breakthrough Award
NHS at Hammersmith Hospital applauds new PEGylated IFN
PolyTherics nominated Regional Finalist in UK Biotechnology Entrepreneur Awards 2006
PolyTherics PEGylation technology published in Nature
Debbie Allen and Geeta Gupta joins PolyTherics

2005
PolyTherics and Shantha sign biotech deal
BangaloreBio begins
British High Commissioner addresses Indian biotech companies

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PolyTherics highlighted by UK Trade & Investment

The full potential of highly effective protein-based treatments unleashed by rapidly-advancing genetic technologies is set to revolutionise medicine. But the technical challenge of turning such proteins into everyday, easily-useable disease-busters is proving enormous.

One UK company, however, has made a breakthrough that should soon start to bring huge benefits for sufferers of hepatitis C around the world. PolyTherics Ltd of London has discovered a way to deliver a new protein-based treatment that provides, at last, an affordable drug for people in developing countries where resources are limited and the disease most common.

With support and expertise provided by UK Trade & Investment, PolyTherics recently struck a deal with Shantha Biotechnics, a major Indian group, that applies its technology to create a drug that can treat the 170,000 victims of the disease in India.

"At present sufferers keep the disease in check with injections of alpha-2 interferon every other day but invariably the day of the injection brings flu-like symptoms and depression," explains Keith Powell, Chief Executive Officer of PolyTherics.

"Our new approach means sufferers need only be injected every week, allowing them six good days out of seven and changing their lives enormously. We exploit the so-called PEGylation of drugs by extending their working lives in the body by using an inert, non-toxic polymer called polyethylene glycol, or PEG. This is not new, but what we provide is the technology to make it affordable."

"UK Trade & Investment proved a core element in developing and cementing the deal with India.

"There is a great sense of urgency in India about this disease. The country will benefit from the development of the drug and we will gain from the knowledge that we derive from this work being carried out," adds Dr Powell.

Just five years old, PolyTherics enjoys three commercial partnerships with product-based companies - and has a deal with a top-ten pharmaceutical giant in the offing. Its links with UK Trade & Investment will continue to play a central role in its development.

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Article featured in UK Trade & Investment
1 October 2007
[Original article]

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