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Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting up to 2.5% of the world's population, approximately 30% of whom eventually develop psoriatic arthritis, which can lead to debilitating long-term health problems. Current therapies are limited owing to side effects or reductions in efficacy. Prof Miles Houslay, University of Glasgow has performed internationally recognised research on drug targets to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions. Working with Celgene, Houslay identified lead compounds and assays to screen promising early compounds for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for clinical development. This identified the lead compound (apremilast), which was subsequently developed by Celgene. Between 2010 and 2013, phase III trials on apremilast have validated it as a safe, clinically effective oral drug, on the basis of which apremilast was submitted for regulatory approval of its use in patients with psoriatic arthritis to the health authorities of the USA and Canada in March 2013.
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.
Pioneering research led by the University of Aberdeen has directly resulted in the development of an investigational medicinal product for the long-term management and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, breaking new ground in the search for effective Alzheimer's treatments. Although not yet commercially available, this drug has already benefited more than 100 patients and their families. A new spin-out company created to develop the drug has created new jobs and attracted more than US$335 million in investment since 2008. Extensive media coverage of the research has generated increased public awareness of the disease and Aberdeen's cutting-edge research and ability to raise investment. The claimed impact is therefore that a new spin-out company was formed; investments from and collaborations with industry in research and development were generated; and new employment created.
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.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects one in seven of the population over 60 years of age, and represents an increasing burden on worldwide medical and care resources. Treatments currently available are symptomatic. Despite pharmaceutical industry efforts there has been little indication of a marketable product for long-term treatment.
To address this problem, a joint venture was established in 2001 between the University of Aberdeen and TauRx Pharmaceuticals. A team was created of chemists, biologists, animal behaviourists, working together with a clinical trial team. A drug effective against the progress of AD based on the compound methylene blue was synthesised and scaled up within the Chemistry Department (led by Professor John Storey), with a quality that was proved acceptable through successful phase two clinical trials (2006-8), and is now used in phase three clinical trials which are due to complete in 2015. Several other drug candidates have also been developed and evaluated in pre-clinical and phase one clinical studies that show promise. Collaborations with commercial pharmaceutical companies have as a result led to the manufacture of significant quantities of drug medicines for TauRx Pharmaceuticals based on IP generated within the Chemistry Department and these drugs have been used in clinical trials and for named patient supply (c. 60 patients). This has resulted in increased commercial revenue for these companies and the creation of new employment.
Original basic research on melatonin receptors undertaken at the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, and funded by the Scottish Government, provided the opportunity for Servier pharmaceuticals to develop a new line of therapeutics for depression.
The company exploited Rowett know-how and invested in new research to develop a new line of compounds and to understand their structure-function relationships. This work enabled the development of melatonin analogues for clinical trials and ultimately led to the development of melatonin compounds for treatment of circadian related disorders.
One (S20098) was identified as having positive effects for disrupted circadian rhythms and beneficial outcomes for patients with depression. S20098 (also known as Agomelatine) was launched after EU authorization in 2009 as a novel anti-depressant drug called Valdoxan®. Today Valdoxan is an award winning anti-depressant drug recognised for its novel mechanism of action and few side effects. Valdoxan is the only anti-depressant drug to be brought to the market in the last 10 years. In summary, supported by investment from industry research undertaken at the University of Aberdeen contributed to the development of a novel antidepressant drug that provides a new clinical intervention with advantages over previously available antidepressants that will make a significant impact on the health and well-being of those afflicted by depression.
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].
Research conducted at the University of Bristol since the late 1990s has pioneered the development of over 60 chemical probes that are selective for individual ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The development of these probes has led to numerous commercial impacts, including: the establishment of two companies, which both sold during the assessment period for a combined value of £85 million, and sales revenue for global providers of biochemicals. This research has also stimulated considerable industry investment in drug development.
Dalgleish proposed a programme to develop thalidomide analogues for their immunomodulatory and anti-neoplastic actions. Working with a small start-up company, Celgene, several analogues including lenalidomide and pomalidomide were developed and entered clinical trials. Both drugs significantly prolong patient survival in myeloma and myelodysplasia and have received FDA and NICE approval for these purposes. Celgene has grown into a large multi-national company with over 5000 employees. Lenalidomide sales were $3.8 billion in 2012.