4th June 2008, Tepnel Life Sciences PLC (AIM: TED), the international Molecular Diagnostics and Research Products & Services group, announces it is developing a new technology for the rapid detection and identification of pathogenic micro-organisms which can cause potentially fatal infections in humans and animals.
The technology detects and identifies living pathogenic micro-organisms and simultaneously generates a profile of their antibiotic resistance. This offers much simpler and more rapid targeted antimicrobial treatment than current microbiological methods. It does not give false positive reactions in the presence of non-viable organisms, such as those killed by pasteurisation, which is a vital differentiation in the food processing industry.
The technology was developed at The University of Manchester and was brought to the attention of Tepnel by its IP commercialisation company, UMIP (The University of Manchester Intellectual Property Limited). The technology has broad market potential including the identification and treatment of bacterial, parasite and fungal infection in both humans and animals. Organisms that could be profiled and treated include MRSA, C. difficile, pathogenic E.coli and Salmonella.
The University of Manchester has been awarded a £50,000 grant by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to work with Tepnel in commercialising this technology. The grant was awarded under the Industry Interchange Programme, which supports exchanges that provide strategic advantages to the UK science base and industry. This grant will fund research conducted by a scientist from Tepnel, working alongside the team who discovered the technology in the laboratory of Professor David Clarke of the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Science, University of Manchester.
Ben Matzilevich, CEO of Tepnel, said: “Tepnel is committed to expanding its product pipeline and entering into new markets. This research project enables us to explore this innovative technology and to assess its potential for animal and human applications.”
Tepnel has secured worldwide exclusive rights to cornerstone patents supporting this technology through an agreement with UMIP.
For further information:
Tepnel Life Sciences plc
Ben Matzilevich, CEO
Carol Smith
Tel: 0161 946 2200
Capital MS&L
Mary Clark or Joanna Whineray
Tel: +44 20 7307 5330
About Tepnel Life Sciences plc
Tepnel Life Sciences (AIM:TED) is a UK-based international life sciences products and services Group with two divisions, Molecular Diagnostics and Research Products & Services. The Company has laboratories, manufacturing and operations in the USA, UK and France with over 200 employees. Tepnel provides test kits, reagents and services to two highly synergistic markets, these being Molecular Diagnostics and Biomedical Research. The Company’s strategy has been to identify high growth niche opportunities within these multi-billion pound markets. Tepnel focuses on these niche operations with internally developed products, patents, expertise and know-how as well as strategic acquisitions, to develop a leadership position within these defined market segments.
About UMIP
The University of Manchester Intellectual Property Limited (UMIP) is the managing agent of The University of Manchester for intellectual property commercialisation. UMIP’s role is to enhance the reputation of the University’s intellectual property development through successful spin-out and licensing business activities. UMIP consists of faculty oriented business management teams backed up by a central corporate office which provides company secretarial, marketing, legal and financial expertise.
Its activities include: Manages Intellectual Property on behalf of the University. Identifies, protects and evaluates the commercial potential of research from all faculties. Commercialises Intellectual Property via the most appropriate route: sale, licence or spin-out. Holds the University’s patent budget and manages its Proof of Principle awards and its seedcorn investment funds. Has access to an extensive network of industry experts, professional advisers and investors. Offers a spin-in activity which manages IP on behalf of partner and collaborative institutes. Since its inception in October 2004, UMIP has set up sixteen spin-out companies, concluded over 80 licence deals and raised more than £130 million in investment capital. It currently has over 100 projects in its portfolio at various stages of development. A number of the spin-out companies have received national and regional enterprise awards. UMIP is wholly owned by The University of Manchester and has over a 20 year history of IP commercialisation and is a limited company of over 35 employees. For more information visit www.umip.com
About BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences. Sponsored by Government, BBSRC annually invests around £380 million in a wide range of research that makes a significant contribution to the quality of life for UK citizens and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders including the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk
