Ingenza is pleased to announce that University of Plymouth spin-out Amprologix, in which it has a stake, has been awarded a £1.2 million contract from the UK Department of Health and Social Care to accelerate the development and scale up its lead antibiotic candidate, Epidermicin NI01.
Ingenza is pleased to announce that University of Plymouth spin-out Amprologix, in which it has a stake, has been awarded a £1.2 million contract from the UK Department of Health and Social Care to accelerate the development and scale up its lead antibiotic candidate, Epidermicin NI01. The funding, administered by Innovate UK, is intended to advance Epidermicin NI01 – part of a new family of epidermicin-based antibiotics – ready for Phase I clinical trials by early 2021.
Established last year, Amprologix has been created to develop and commercialise the work of Mathew Upton, Amprologix CSO and Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Plymouth. Epidermicins are a new class of antibiotics capable of tackling MRSA and related superbugs at very low doses, relying on Ingenza’s biologics manufacturing platform to enable viable production at scale. With this funding, Amprologix will optimise the formulation of Epidermicin NI01 as a cream to decolonise the nasal cavity of MRSA – thereby preventing spread and infection – as well as conducting a preclinical toxicology evaluation.
Professor Upton commented: “Epidermicin has excellent potential for use in nasal decolonisation to prevent skin and wound infections, like those caused by MRSA. Development of NI01 could have immense benefits for patients, so I’m genuinely excited about this work and generating the data needed to enter Phase I trials.”
Dr Ian Fotheringham, Managing Director of Ingenza, added: “Our advanced biologics manufacturing technologies have been developed to address exactly this kind of critical unmet therapeutic need. Our platform will underpin the future success of this exciting new family of potent and selective antimicrobials.”
For more information, visit www.ingenza.com or email sarah.scott@ingenza.com
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Ingenza is a worldwide leader in the application of industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology, providing efficient scalable bioprocesses to manufacture chemicals, biologics, pharmaceuticals and biofuels, from sustainable sources. Its scientific and commercial activities are led by a management team with over 30 years’ experience in applied bioscience and the development and commercialisation of bio-based products. In addition to engaging in strategic partnerships to tailor its bioprocess services for clients, the company also licenses its proprietary bioprocess technologies. To learn more visit www.ingenza.com or follow us on Twitter® @IngenzaLtd.
