Almac Discovery
Almac Discovery is an innovative biotech company operating within and supported by the Almac Group of companies. It is led by an experienced team (ex Pharma and Biotech), with a track record in delivering successful clinical stage programmes. Almac Discovery utilises its capabilities and expertise to discover and develop novel first-in-class/best-in-class NCEs and Novel Protein Therapeutics through to IND-ready stage, after which it seeks to collaborate with partners to continue into clinical development.
Its core expertise and arising portfolio are focussed on two areas:
a) Targeting the Deubiquitinating enzyme class (DUBs) linked to protein homeostasis and degradation through the application of its proprietary Ubi-Plex technology platform, and,
b) Next Generation Protein:Drug Conjugate (PDC) technology platform utilising minimal antigen-binding domains combined with Almac's novel, proprietary linker and payload technology.
Drug programmes derived from these platforms are currently being prosecuted both in house and with external collaborators.
Dr Alan Lamont
VP Business Development and Licensing
Exscientia
Dr Denise Barrault
Director Novel Biology and Technology PartnershipsDr Richard Law
Chief Business OfficerMereo BioPharma
Michal Cabadaj
Senior Director of Business & Corporate DevelopmentRamya Devanand
Senior Director, Business and Corporate Development
Nevrargenics
Nevrargenics Ltd is a UK-based neuroscience company specialising in the discovery and development of novel medicines for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Frontotemporal Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological diseases as well as application in other conditions such as liver diseases and eye diseases.
Professor Andy Whiting
CEO
S. M. Discovery Group (SMDG)
SMDG is a biotechnology company dedicated to delivering efficacious, safe and disease modifying therapies to save lives and improve health.
Through our R&D, we are addressing the lack of safe and effective gene therapies for some of the most debilitating diseases, particularly neurological and rare diseases. We have developed a patent protected biotechnology platform for targeted delivery of nucleic acid medicines across biological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier and have an expanding intellectual property portfolio including granted and pending patents.
* SMDG has been recognised as a Life Science Innovator 2023 (one of UK most innovative companies)
* SMDG’s NLC technology platform was recognized as one of the break-through and significant/notable (findings and technologies reported) papers of 2019 by the Fluids and Barriers of the CNS (2020 publication). * SMDG was a finalist in 2021 in the UK Bionow awards.
* SMDG’s disruptive technology has been profiled in over 160 global media outlets, journals, biotechnology and medical news.
* SMDG has received funding from the European Commission, UK Department of Trade, UK. Innovation SuperNetwork, European Union Regional Development Fund, UK North East Local Enterprise Partnership.
Dr Z. Shadi Farhangrazi
Chief Executive Officer
S. Moein Moghimi
Chair, Science Advisory Board and Co Founder
Silence Therapeutics
Our proprietary mRNAi GOLD platform enables highly specific gene silencing of any gene expressed in liver hepatocytes, opening up the potential to treat many diseases - from rare hematological disorders to widespread cardiovascular diseases. The validated and modular nature of this approach means we can move very rapidly from target identification through to IND/CTA enabling studies. Products developed using our technology are patient friendly with subcutaneous administration and infrequent dosing.
The Company is in a strong position to maximize the potential of its IP and technology through collaborations and the advancement of internal programs toward the clinic. SLN360 is a GalNAc conjugated siRNA directed against Lp(a), an independent risk factor for CVD. Lp(a) is a lipoprotein with prothrombotic, proinflammatory and proatherogenic properties. High levels of Lp(a) are independently associated with CHD, unstable angina, myocardial infarction and other CVD complications. SLN360 has demonstrated up to 98% knockdown of serum Lp(a) in humans, with significant reduction still observed 150 days post single dose.SLN124 is a GalNAc conjugated siRNA drug for the treatment of disorders associated with iron overload and ineffective erythropoiesis. Initial clinical development will be in β-thalassemia and polycythemia vera. Through it’s highly specific silencing of TMPRSS6 in hepatocytes, SLN124 is designed to correct the underlying defect in iron homeostasis, reducing iron overload and improving erythropoiesis. This is a novel approach and is expected to address serious unmet medical needs associated with currently available therapeutic options. SLN124 has demonstrated highly potent, robust and long-lasting impact on serum iron and hepcidin levels in a healthy human volunteer phase 1 study. SLN124 is currently being evaluated in a phase 1 study with non-transfusion dependent thalassemia patients and a Phase 1/2 with subjects diagnosed with polycythemia vera.
Joana Santos
Business Development, Senior Manager
SomaServe
SomaServe operate the PolyNaut platform: a non-viral, polymer nanovesicle technology for intracellular, targeted delivery of nucleic acid-based therapeutics (NATs) therapeutics to the brain and other hard to target tissues and cell types.
SomaServe's PolyNaut platform addresses the ‘delivery problem’ for intracellular, targeted delivery of nucleic acid-based therapeutics and protein therapeutics. This includes mRNA, siRNA, pDNA and ASOs.
PolyNaut technology addresses shortcomings of viral or lipid-based delivery technologies by encapsulating a range of therapeutic modalities into polymer nanovesicles that are stable in biological conditions, can penetrate biological barriers such as the blood brain barrier effectively, and selectively target different tissues and cell types.
Dr Sam Barker
Chief Business Officer
Viramal
Viramal is a specialist pharma company based in the UK and Sweden, at the cutting-edge of developing a portfolio of transformative biological and vaginal well-being products for women. Women's sexual and reproductive health needs have been neglected. They are poorly served by inadequate drugs and medication. We exist to help make the lives of women everywhere, better.
We are driven by:
- Innovation
- A Safer Medical Approach
- Women's Needs
- Clinical Excellence
We are committed to protect, preserve and maintain vaginal well-being. Helping and informing women on how to take control of their biological stories. From menstruation, fertility, reproduction, conception, disease, pain management and sexual health - we are here to help improve the quality of women's health the world over. Our key focus is our development of VML-0501, a pioneering treatment for both pain and infertility associated with Endometriosis.
Oliver Bates
CEO
Dr Roop Chandwani
Head of People
