Nova Laboratories acquires Cambridge Biostability assets

Nova Laboratories, an NHS spin-out based in Leicester, UK, has acquired the assets of Cambridge Biostability, a UK developer of temperature-stable liquid vaccines, including the intellectual property for two key technologies.

The two technologies are VitRIS, which removes the need for refrigeration of pharmaceutical products and HydRIS, which allows unstable products to be stored for long periods in non-liquid form, within the HydRIS device. When required for use, the device is attached to a conventional syringe, and the product is re-dissolved and injected into the patient.

Trials have shown VitRIS can be applied successfully to a number of pharmaceutical preparations including vaccines, insulin, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant growth hormones, proteins, enzymes and nucleic acids.

The acquisition also includes the world's first validated aseptic spray drying facility, which is essential for the manufacture of products using the VitRIS technology, but also has other uses.

Cambridge Biostability appeared in 2003 with the HydRIS technology. Progress on the VitRIS technology was slower and it ran out of cash in May 2009.

All 22 employees were made redundant prior to Nova's purchase and many have found work elsewhere, according to liquidator Shay Lettice of Peters Elworthy & Moore.

"Nova has bought the bulk of the assets including intellectual property, patents and the aseptic spray dryer," he added.

Nova Laboratories" commercial and financial director John Seaton said: "This acquisition offers financial stability and independence to a technology that has huge potential for the UK pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries."

Nova is now talking to firms that worked with Cambridge Biostability, with a view to continuing existing work and investing in development of further use of the technology.

"Nova was previously working with Cambridge Biostability and manufactured the materials to date for these innovative technologies, so it is in the best possible position to take it forward," added Seaton.

Nova has MHRA-approved facilities at Wigston in Leicester, where it has developed expertise in aseptic processing of complex pharmaceuticals, using sterile isolation technology. There are 140 employees.

The company is currently investing £2m in a new factory, which will be based in Bedford Road, Leicester, after winning a three-year contract. This will create up to 60 jobs from December.

Nova also recently invested more than £600,000 to create an advanced biological suite - one of only three in Europe - that it says will help achieve global progress in the development of safer, more effective drugs. The benefits will be especially useful in the treatment of children suffering from life-threatening genetic conditions.