Lab roundup: Brinton Pharmaceuticals, Diosynth, PBD Biotech, LIfT BioSciences, Purple House Clinic, Knauer…

The company is planning to invest £30 million over the next five years in the new facility to boost research capability and encourage further growth to the company’s international presence which currently extends to 32 countries, including India. 

Huddleston commented: “This is an excellent example of the benefits UK-India trade can bring to both nations. By deepening our trading relationship, the UK-India trade deal can pave the way for even more investment opportunities and make it easier for UK and Indian companies to do business in each other's countries."

Pic: Minister Nigel Huddleston with Brinton Chairman Rahul Kumar Darda (r) and Dr Praveen Kumar Tavva 

University of Kent researchers are claiming a breakthrough that could render protein-based therapeutics and diagnostic devices faster and more efficient. The technology reprograms a cell to direct the packaging of specific molecules into a vesicle, which is then exported out of the cell.  The new process will significantly expand the use of bacteria in protein production, as it rapidly packages toxic proteins into contained environments before they have a chance to harm any normal metabolic activities. The process also makes it easier to purify the manufactured proteins– meaning the process can be scaled up for industry more easily and consistently.

Research leader Professor Dan Mulvihill said of the university’s School of Biosciences project, carried out in collaboration with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies and funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) : “This is a landmark moment for biotherapeutics. Our patented technology will improve efficiencies in creating and storing recombinant proteins, which have a range of uses from antibodies to energy production.”

PBD Biotech has received the patent for its Actiphage incipient tuberculosis diagnostic within the 17 member states of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI).

Actiphage, a unique diagnostic for early-stage infection can identify live cells of Mycobacteria tuberculosis (M.tb) from a blood sample, providing evidence that a person is carrying an active infection that will progress to full disease unless treated (incipient TBI). Improved diagnostics for identifying people with incipient TBI, before they show clinical symptoms of the disease, is a strategic priority in the WHO #EndTB strategy. 

Chief Executive Jane Theaker said: “Actiphage offers a potential game-changer in the detection and treatment of people with incipient TB. By identifying those with active disease before they start to transmit the bacteria, it offers potential to break the cycle of infection.” OAPI covers the majority of French-speaking Sub-Saharan West African nations, plus the Comoros islands. Its East African counterpart, consisting of 19 mostly English-speaking members, is the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO).

LIfT BioSciences, the pre-clinical stage company moving into first-in-human trials with an allogeneic neutrophil progenitor based cell therapy, and leading global contract development and manufacturing service provider for the cell and gene therapy industry Minaris Regenerative Medicine GmbH have entered into a development and manufacturing partnership for N-LifT; LIfT’s first-in-class neutrophil progenitor based Leukocyte Infusion Therapy for the treatment of various cancer indications, including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and other solid tumours. 

Purple House Clinic is set to open Leicester’s first specialised neurodiverse assessment centre. The new facility will provide a number of services, including assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties (Educational Psychology) and sensory difficulties (Occupational Therapy. 
Director Vicki Edwards stated: “With the pandemic and increased awareness of mental health issues, the requirement for our services has skyrocketed. In 2022 we saw 410 patients from the surrounding area - the majority of which wanted neurodiverse assessments - an increase of 52% from the previous year. This emphasises how important our services are to the local community here in Leicester. By opening a second clinic dedicated to neurodiverse assessment, we aim to help reduce waiting times for people already looking in the area and provide a viable alternative to using NHS services.” 

Female employees at laboratory equipment manufacturer Knauer earn on average 1.36% more than their male colleagues. The firm said it had expected its recent gender pay gap review to show improvements had  resulted in women earning within 2% of men but the company's Equal Opportunities Officer said this differential had not only been eradicated but moved slightly in favour of female staff. MD Alexandra Knauer commented: "It is clear that this figure will always fluctuate, as it also depends on the gender distribution among skilled workers and management positions. Our guideline is the zero mark, and we are closer to it than ever."

Genomics and biopharmaceutical specialist Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad recorded a revenue of RM1.64 million (£0.31 million)for the second quarter ended 31 December 2022 (2Q 2023). The drop from RM7.63 million (£1.44 million) in 2Q 2022, occurred as the Group shifted focus from vaccines to biopharmaceuticals.

Executive Director Azri Azerai said: "The financial performance for the quarter under review was mainly affected by the need to spend in support of the pivot to biopharmaceuticals, which the Group is well positioned to take advantage of given our track record as a leading provider of genetic screening and genome analysis services.”