4 Jan 2017
YProtech, the fast growing contract research organisation (CRO) focused on niche chemistry based services, has installed a high potency facility for the synthesis and manufacture of highly potent cytotoxins for applications in cancer treatment.
Tom Screen, CTO of YProtech commented, ‘The new facility is now open and we look forward to serving our existing clients and new companies being attracted to Alderley Park. As the high potency business growth is established we also look to the next expansion and offering GMP toxin services.’YProtech relocated to Alderley Park, Cheshire in May 2015 and the installation of a high potency facility marks the second phase of their expansion strategy. The expansion enables YProtech to offer dedicated chemistry services for the non-GMP synthesis and manufacture of cytotoxic compounds on multigram scale to support pre-clinical development in the pharma and biotech sectors. The facility includes a clean room with isolator for the handling and isolation of cytotoxins, dedicated high containment chemistry laboratory with multiple fume cupboards for the synthesis of cytotoxins, automated purification capability and access to LCMS and NMR for compound analysis.
In addition, a catalogue of cytotoxins and linkers are available to buy directly from YProtech. These cytotoxins can be tailored to individual customer’s needs, ie functionalised with linkers of choice and ready for subsequent bioconjugation with antibodies, proteins etc. The addition of a dedicated cGMP high containment facility for manufacture and supply of up to 100gs of cytotoxins to support clinical trials will follow in twelve to eighteen months.
The new capabilities add to YProtech’s current chemistry services portfolio which include contract research, custom synthesis, targeted library preparation, intellectual property development, chemical process optimisation & scale-up and project/supply chain management to support pre-clinical drug discovery from milligrams to kilo scale.
Pete Jackson, Chairman of YProtech commented, ‘This expansion demonstrates YProtech’s commitment to building a specialised chemistry service business responsive to the needs of our customers, backed by our very supportive investors and in a world class location al Alderley Park.’
The investment in new facilities has been made possible following investment arranged recently by the Company’s advisers, Acceleris Capital.
Simon Thorn of Acceleris commented, “We have been impressed by the professional approach and high quality service offering that YProtech are able to offer customers. The move to Alderley Park has resulted in significantly increased visibility of the Company and the pipeline is growing. This investment into such a niche service offering is the next step for the Company in being able to differentiate itself from other providers.”
Ned Wakeman, BioHub Director commented, “I am impressed by the growth of YProtech since they moved to the BioHub and this expansion of their offering into a high growth market is exciting. Alderley Park has a long history of oncology research and it is fitting that it be continued by YProtech and other BioHub companies.”
About YProtech Ltd
YProtech is a chemistry research organisation providing fast, reliable, cost effective delivery of specialist chemical services for the life sciences and materials chemistry sectors. YProtech boasts an experienced Management Team with collectively over 65 years experience in the chemical and life sciences sectors. In addition the Company has 50+ years chemistry experience within its key staff to ensure that they select and apply the correct technology solution for each customer’s needs. For more information please visit www.yprotech.com.
About Acceleris Capital Ltd
Acceleris Capital, part of the Seneca Partners group of companies, has an expertise in arranging and managing investments by private individuals under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). Acceleris has, to date, arranged funds in excess of £70m into over 40 companies through more than 100 transactions. The company has a focus on technology and high value added companies and ensures an active involvement with its investee companies post-investment. Through it’s active network of High Net Worth investors, good relationships with institutional investors and as part of the wider Seneca Partners group, Acceleris is well placed to deploy funds throughout its investee companies growth. For more information please visit www.acceleris.com.
About BioHub
Operated by the specialist life science incubation company BioCity, BioHub, based at Alderley Park (Cheshire) is a collaborative R&D centre which enables new and growing bioscience businesses to not only benefit from BioCity's specialist incubation support services (including shared services, training, business support and access to investment) but also Alderley Park’s high-specification research facilities.
The incubator has grown exponentially since launching in 2013, 10 years after BioCity itself was opened (2003) as one of the first Bioscience incubators in Europe. Now supporting over 150 companies, the BioCity team run a series of Innovation Engine Bootcamps, which has already lead to the creation of over 30 new companies (physical and virtual). To support these new companies, BioCity has formed a mentor network of 80 thought leaders, successful entrepreneurs, VCs and Business Experts.
9 years after BioCity launched, the group created BioCity Scotland near Glasgow (2012) and MediCity (2013) on the Alliance Boots Enterprise Zone in Nottingham. Over 200 plus companies started life in a BioCity business incubator and have raised over £50m of seed capital. The success of this growth formula is shown in a 91% survival rate of BioCity-based companies over 13 years. This has helped make any BioCity location an international hub for entrepreneurial activity in the life sciences. For more information please visit www.biohubatalderley.co.uk.
About Alderley Park
Alderley Park, part of Mancehster Science Partnerships set in 400 acres of Cheshire countryside offers over 1.5m sq ft of premier scientific, laboratory and office space. The Park is also the home of the Government’s new translational centre for Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR). Innovate UK’s Medicines Discovery Catapult and was granted Enterprise Zone status in April 2016.
Planning permission for investment into the bioscience campus was granted in February 2016. For more information please visit www.mspl.co.uk/alderleypark
Enquiries: YProTech
Dr Stuart Brown, Director of Business Development
+44 (0)1625 238885 sbrown@yprotech.com
Enquiries: Acceleris Capital
Simon Thorn, Investment Director
+44 (0)161 850 0156 simonthorn@acceleris.com
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