LBIC client welcomes Minister for Universities and Science
3 March 2011
PolyTherics Ltd, an innovator in precision engineering of proteins to improve their pharmacokinetic properties, had its newly refurbished space at the London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC) opened on Tuesday 1st March by Rt Hon David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science.
David Willetts touring PolyTherics' new laboratory space
David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said: “Small, innovative companies are an increasingly important part of the UK’s highly successful life sciences industry. It’s testament to the quality of PolyTherics’ research and development that they have been able to expand into larger premises, and I was delighted to be invited to open their new facility at the London BioScience Innovation Centre.”
Dr Keith Powell, Chief Executive Officer of PolyTherics said: “We are delighted that the Minister was able to formally open our new premises. PolyTherics is at an exciting phase of its growth as it adapts and improves an increasingly varied range of therapeutic proteins and peptides for its partners. We are pleased that LBIC was able to accommodate the expansion of our business as we are keen to stay in London because it provides easy access to our collaborators.”
(L to R) Dr Keith Powell, Prof Colin Howard, Rt Hon David Willetts and Prof Stuart Reid
PolyTherics has been located in LBIC since 2006. The Royal Veterinary College had refurbished part of another building that it owns so that LBIC could provide additional laboratory and office space for PolyTherics. Also attending the opening were Professor Colin Howard, Founder of LBIC, Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the RVC, and key partners and collaborators of PolyTherics.
Notes to Editors
- PolyTherics
- PolyTherics is a biopharmaceutical company that applies precision chemistry to develop improved protein and peptide-based drugs. It has received investment of £5.3 million from Imperial Innovations Group plc, Longbow Capital LLP and The Capital Fund.
- PolyTherics has developed three proprietary technologies for attaching the polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to any therapeutic peptide or protein in a targeted fashion. PEGylation slows elimination from the body, thereby improving half-life and potentially reducing drug treatment frequency, decreasing side effects and improving patient compliance.
- PEGylated products derived from PolyTherics’ technologies are more homogeneous than those derived from traditional methods, resulting in reduced complexity of downstream processing, more consistent product quality and cost-effective manufacture. PEGylation is an established method for improving drugs and nine PEGylated products are already approved for therapeutic use worldwide.
- For more information, please visit: www.polytherics.co.uk
- The Royal Veterinary College is the UK's first and largest veterinary school and a constituent College of the University of London. It also provides support for veterinary and related professions through its three referral hospitals, diagnostic services and continuing professional development courses. www.rvc.ac.uk
Further Information
To request further information or an interview please contact:
- Hannah Murray on 01727 737997
email: hannah@communicationsmanagement.co.uk - Phil Smith on 01727 850761
email: phil@communicationsmanagement.co.uk
The Royal Veterinary College
Established in 1791, the RVC is the UK’s longest-standing veterinary college—with a proud heritage of innovation in veterinary science, clinical practice and education.