NEW GENOMIA SEED FUND MAKES FIRST AWARD TO ROWETT RESEARCH SERVICES, ABERDEEN

Rowett Research Services, the commercial arm of Aberdeen’s Rowett Research Institute, has secured an early stage investment of £56,000 from the Genomia Seed Fund. This is the first investment made by the Genomia Fund, and will support the pre-clinical development of new treatments for stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, based on novel antioxidant compounds. The Genomia Fund has been established by funding of £1.5M from the Office of Science and Technology, Public Sector Research Exploitation Fund and is dedicated to supporting early stage commercial development of life science research from institutes.

Highly-reactive chemical species called free radicals can cause severe damage to the body’s cells. Free radicals are formed as a by-product from the oxygen we breath and our body is protected by a complex defence system involving antioxidants such as Vitamins E and C, which are normally present in our diet. In some clinical conditions, such as acute stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, there is evidence that abnormally-high levels of free-radical production occur that can overwhelm the natural defence systems and contribute to the progression of the disease. In these cases natural dietary antioxidants are limited in their effect. Rowett Research Services has been working on the design of high-potency therapeutic compounds, targeted to the sites of free radical production and attack. The technology is subject to a patent application, which is being pursued internationally

“We have used various natural plant compounds as the starting point to produce novel molecules that have been shown to protect cell membranes against free radical damage,” said Donald McPhail, who is leading the project at Rowett Research Services, and who recently held an Enterprise Fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Dr Alan Rowe, who is the Chief Executive of Rowett Research Services said: “This funding from Genomia will enable us to proceed with crucial formulation and pre-clinical development of our most promising compounds” .

Dr Keith Winton, Genomia Fund Manager said: “Genomia is pleased to see its first investment being made in this exciting science at Rowett Research Services. The project is illustrative not only of the high quality of research being undertaken in the research institutes, but also of its direct relevance to areas of major social and economic concern.”

ENDS

For further information please contact Dr Alan Rowe - Chief Executive Rowett Research Services: 01224 716226;

Sue Bird, PR Manager, Rowett Research Institute, 01224 716668, mobile: 07711 093417

Rowett Research Services Ltd is the knowledge transfer and technology interaction subsidiary of the Rowett Research Institute. The Company was founded in 1988 and focuses on developing the interface between the scientific and business communities. Further information at www.rowett.co.uk

The Rowett Research Institute, ABERDEEN, AB21 9SB, is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for nutrition research. We undertake research to improve food quality and prevent disease. Further information available at www.rowett.ac.uk
The Rowett Research Institute is sponsored by SEERAD (www.scotland.gov.uk).

Notes for editors

The Office of Science and Technology announced on 19 January 2004 that a consortium of five organisations involving the Rowett Institute (through RRS) and led by the Moredun Institute had been successful in securing more than £1.5M of funding from the Public Sector Research Exploitation Fund. The award established the Genomia Seed Fund to support early stage development of commercial ideas arising from research undertaken by consortia members. Eligible activities include proof of concept and business development in the areas of food production and biomedical technologies.

The initial focus of the pre-incorporation company will be the important areas of acute ischaemic stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, which currently affect more than 1.4 million and 600 000 new patients in the USA and Europe respectively every year. The annual market is estimated at around £420M and £710M respectively.