University of Manchester technology licensed to Arriani Pharmaceuticals

Published: 24-Aug-2017

The University of Manchester’s technology transfer company, UMI3, completed an exclusive licence deal with Arriani Pharmaceuticals, for a research tool that boosts the understanding of senescent cells’ role in diverse age-related diseases including cancer

Professors Vassilis Gorgoulis and Paul Townsend are behind the universally applicable method, called SenTraGor, which enables better detection of senescence (the ageing of cells).

Professor Townsend said: "Cellular senescence is causally linked to ageing and has been implicated in a variety of age-related diseases such as cancer. But up to now, detecting senescence was problematic and infeasible in most widespread biological material."

The agreement will see Arriani provide SenTraGor to research institutions, diagnostic labs, clinics and companies looking for new therapies and offer wider wellbeing services to the public.

Harry Lambridis, President and Founder of Arriani said: "We are proud to offer to the international scientific community the valuable outcome of the research conducted by Professors Vassilis Gorgoulis and Paul Townsend that will revolutionalise the detection of senescent cells.

"We strongly believe that SenTraGor will greatly contribute in the understanding of age-related biological processes and to this end we will work closely with the Professors to enlarge the applications of SenTraGor, even beyond this field."

The University of Manchester’s Professor Paul Townsend and Honorary Professor Vassilis Gorgoulis are world experts in cancer biology.

L-R: Professor Paul Townsend, Professor Hons Vassilis Gorgoulis

L-R: Professor Paul Townsend, Professor Hons Vassilis Gorgoulis

Professor Townsend said the agreement will bring considerable benefits to research and clinical practice around the world.

Professor Townsend said: "Our method provides unheard-of advantages over any other available senescence detection products. It is widely applicable, straight forward and specific.

"It will also help researchers make new breakthroughs into the causes of diseases, including cancer, as there will be a more effective understanding of phenomenon of cellular senescence. Moreover, its application can be expanded even to the cosmetics and food industries."

Professor Gorgoulis said: "SenTraGor revolutionises the field of cellular ageing and opens the door to a better understanding and treatment of various disorders. Many cancer types, degenerative diseases, even infertility, are thought to be senescence-related and our method introduces a powerful weapon in the medical armoury against these conditions."

Dr Rich Ferrie, Director of Operations at UMIP, said: "We are delighted to have secured this licence deal with our new partners, Arriani. The strong commercial team at Arriani will ensure that this exciting product is quickly rolled out internationally and we are confident that the relationship we have established together will be both successful and enduring."

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