Summary of the impact

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) research by Prof. David Adams of Heriot-Watt University (HWU) has discovered compounds with potent combined anti-inflammatory and bronchorelaxant activity, relevant to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This fuelled a major therapeutic development programme by the Japanese company, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, resulting in 22 patents (18 published since 2008) with a direct link to the foundational work at HWU. The work was a key factor in Kyorin's continued commissioning of projects with Scottish Biomedical (SB) up to £14.9M, a technology management company founded by Scottish Universities, enabling SB's transition into a fully independent drug-discovery services company, [text removed for publication].

Summary of the impact

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) research by Prof. David Adams of Heriot-Watt University (HWU) has discovered compounds with potent combined anti-inflammatory and bronchorelaxant activity, relevant to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This fuelled a major therapeutic development programme by the Japanese company, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, resulting in 22 patents (18 published since 2008) with a direct link to the foundational work at HWU. The work was a key factor in Kyorin's continued commissioning of projects with Scottish Biomedical (SB) up to £14.9M, a technology management company founded by Scottish Universities, enabling SB's transition into a fully independent drug-discovery services company, [text removed for publication].

Summary of the impact

The discovery of a novel, inhaled dual phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor, RPL554 — first developed in the Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, King's College London — led to the creation of a SME, Verona Pharma plc, which then successfully demonstrated clinical benefit in Phase II clinical trials. This is a major breakthrough as a "first in class" drug with both bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activity in a single medicine for the treatment of important respiratory diseases, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Summary of the impact

The provision of effective and sustainable healthcare is a major challenge for society. In the developed world escalating costs are placing a huge burden on finite resources; in the developing world, where financial resources are often extremely limited, providing affordable healthcare is an even greater problem. One innovative route to help alleviate these problems is through drug redeployment, whereby existing drugs are employed in new ways to tackle serious diseases. Combining their knowledge of haematological disease gained from their research over the past 20 years together with a drug redeployment strategy, researchers in the School of Biosciences have developed and trialled new interventions for two blood cell cancers, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and Burkitt's Lymphoma (BL), based on the administration of a combination of the lipid lowering drug Bezalip (Bez) and the female contraceptive Provera (MPA). As a result:

• Definitive significant outcomes have been demonstrated in terms of halting disease progression and / or diminishing disease load in patients suffering from AML and BL.
• Successful drug redeployment, on the basis of efficacy, absence of toxicity and low cost of drugs has been achieved.
• This intervention has created the means to reduce childhood mortality and improve the length and quality of life in areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

Summary of the impact

A new anti-inflammatory molecule FX125L was developed by David Fox at Warwick, in collaboration with David Grainger (Department of Medicine, Cambridge) and Funxional Therapeutics Ltd (FXT). Research in lead optimization, mechanistic preclinical chemistry, synthetic route development (for scale-up), and CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls) was conducted at Warwick. As a result FX125L completed Phase 1 and entered Phase 2 clinical trials in humans for the treatment of asthma or other inflammatory diseases. Its sale to Boehringer Ingelheim generated a multi-million pound return for FXT and its investors.

Summary of the impact

Chronic, debilitating diseases such as arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could potentially be treated by damping down the underlying inflammation and therefore improving the quality of life of sufferers. Nrf2 is a protein that prevents inflammation when activated and many researchers have sought to manipulate its activity as a potential therapeutic strategy. However, this has had little success, due to a lack of suitable biochemical tools. We describe here the Nrf2-activating peptide TAT14, which was developed in Pharmacy and is now being marketed by biotech companies to study this important pathway.

Summary of the impact

Research into novel immunotherapies has given rise to a novel drug (EtxB), which is now in Phase II clinical trials, and to a profitable contract research company partnering with the pharmaceutical industry to develop their compounds. Trident Pharmaceuticals was formed around patents filed by the University of Bristol, has received investment of [text removed for publication], successfully completed Phase I trials (2011) and is in the midst of Phase IIa trials in humans with inflammatory disease (2013). KWS BioTest arose as a result of the underpinning research and experience gained from developing EtxB, and is now a leading contract research organisation working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing novel treatments for human disease. KWS has directly contributed to the development of therapies at more than 75 different companies, employs 28 people, has exported [text removed for publication] and was 2012 winner of a Biomedical iNet Award for outstanding business achievement.

Summary of the impact

Research conducted at the University of Bristol between 1994 and 2013 has led to major commercial impact through industry investment in cancer therapies that target a family of transporter proteins (MCTs) identified and characterised by Professor Halestrap and his colleagues. Halestrap has worked directly with AstraZeneca, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, to integrate the Bristol-based research into their own research programme to elucidate the mode of action of a group of novel immunosuppressive agents that target MCT1. Subsequent ongoing collaborations have underpinned AstraZeneca's development of these drugs for cancer chemotherapy, with clinical trials of their compound AZD3965 underway, as well as investment in a new cancer drug discovery programme targeting the MCTs.

Summary of the impact

Cancer research at the University of Salford focuses on developing new and improved treatments for cancer, particularly for children with cancer, demonstrating the following impact:

• The development of RH1, a novel anticancer drug and a second generation novel agent, Es5, arising from RH1;
• Participation in clinical studies in paediatric and adult cancers with North West, UK and international partners in the health, charitable and commercial sectors to trial and develop the technologies;
• The establishment of spin-out company, Onco-NX to develop and exploit the technologies and IP arising from the research;
• The establishment of Kidscan, a University-based registered charity to support research into new and improved treatments for children with cancer and generating dedicated support for and commitment to cancer research among North West UK communities.

Summary of the impact

The University of Aberdeen's discovery of a novel drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and related inflammatory/autoimmune disorders has brought substantial industrial investment in research and development. The new drug is expected to enter clinical trials shortly and has the potential to transform the way rheumatoid arthritis is currently treated, as few patients currently have access to the expensive biological agents which dominate existing therapy. Aberdeen has commercialised its research into a university spin-out company and subsequently licensed the programme to a UK drug-development company, Modern Biosciences plc. The research has created and protected UK expertise and jobs.

The specific impacts on commerce have been: substantial industrial investment in research and development, job creation and protection within UK industry, commercialisation of a new product via a licencing deal, and academic consultancy in industry.