Inflammatory disease drug development for UK firms

A new class of biologics aimed at furthering treatment of inflammatory diseases is being developed as part of a new partnership between London biotech company Stealthyx Therapeutics and Liverpool-based contract bio manufacturer Eden Biodesign.

The product will incorporate Stealthyx's proprietary Prothyx technology, which was developed by Professor Yuti Chernajovsky of St. Bartholomews Hospital and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London,

Prothyx uses the properties of a naturally-occurring peptide to confer stability and disease targeting biological therapeutics resulting in improved efficacy and lower side effect profile.

Eden Biodesign ceo Dr Crawford Brown has welcomed the agreement, saying: "We have the expertise in product development and cGMP manufacturing infrastructure that is necessary to rapidly deliver such novel therapeutics to the market."

Chernajovsky, said: "We are very pleased to be working with Eden Biodesign on the development of this innovative product. By accessing Eden's state-of-the art facility in Liverpool and its demonstrated experience and track record in the successful development of complex biopharmaceuticals, we will undoubtedly accelerate the clinical development of Stealthyx Therapeutics" products and their transition from research laboratories to patients."

This project has been funded by the National Biomanufacturing Centre (NBC) Access Fund administered by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Dr Linda Magee, NWDA Biotechnology Sector director & head of Bionow, said: "the NBC was set up by the Agency and its funding partners to help UK SMEs and research groups translate product ideas to the clinic - the Stealthyx project is a very good example of how the NBC, and Eden as its operators, are helping to develop the biopharmaceutical product pipeline for UK plc."