University news

Clyde Biosciences Ltd. (Clyde Biosciences) has announced a £2 million ‘Series A’ investment led by Epidarex Capital, a leading international early-stage life science venture capital fund.  

Scottish Enterprise’s investment arm, the Scottish Investment Bank, also participated in the round along with Glasgow University Holdings, Ltd.  Clyde Biosciences, a spin-out company from the University of Glasgow, has developed a pioneering technology to evaluate drug toxicity for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Clyde Biosciences is developing the CellOPTIQ optical action potential assay to address major unmet needs in testing cardiotoxicity risk in both new and existing drugs. Clyde Biosciences’ initial customers include several top 10 global pharmaceutical companies.

The company utilises induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to mimic cardiomyocyte activity and measure action potential features which are important indicators of cardiotoxicity.  Changes in action potential are visualised using voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) and are measured and analysed on tissue culture plates using Clyde’s proprietary software. 

CellOPTIQ is currently being evaluated by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) through its Comprehensive In Vitro Proarrhythmia (“CiPA”) programme; an initiative to facilitate the adoption of a new paradigm for cardiotoxicity screening of clinical candidates.

Clyde Biosciences’ initial focus is on testing for cardiotoxicity risk, however the technology platform is also applicable to a broader range of risk factors.  As a result, Clyde Biosciences’ approach has the potential to significantly improve the safety profile of both existing and new pharmaceutical products that will become available to patients in the future. 

The company's core technology is based upon the world-class translational research developed at the University of Glasgow.  Its founders include Dr. Margaret Anne Craig, Professor Godfrey Smith, Dr. Francis Burton and Professor Jon Cooper, all of the University of Glasgow. Mr. Chris Wardhaugh will also be joining the Clyde executive team. He most recently held a senior role at a major international Contract Research Organisation. 

Epidarex Capital’s close partnership with the University of Glasgow is typical of its investment model of providing early-stage risk capital to top researchers and entrepreneurs who are developing highly innovative solutions for the global healthcare market.

Dr. Margaret Anne Craig, Co-founder and CEO of Clyde Biosciences, said: “Since its inception, Clyde Biosciences has been working hard to meet our clients’ needs in improving outcomes in drug development. This investment, led by Epidarex Capital, will help propel Clyde Biosciences to a new level, allowing us to strengthen our team, reinforce our commercial offering and broaden our geographic reach. We welcome the support of our investment partners and look forward to an exciting future.”

Sinclair Dunlop, Managing Partner at Epidarex Capital, said: “Clyde Biosciences’ unique technology is already improving the safety profile of drug candidates being developed by both small and large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.  Clyde Biosciences’ novel approach will benefit patients by improving the safety profile of new drugs coming onto the market.  The company’s early success is a great credit to its founders and to the world class research being conducted at the University of Glasgow.”

Professor Jon Cooper, Vice-Principal of Knowledge Exchange and Innovation at the University of Glasgow, said: “This is an important investment for Clyde Biosciences as it will enable the company to develop into international markets - providing tremendous opportunities for growth. The investment is also testament to the significant amount of work that the business, academic and commercial teams have all put into developing the company as an exciting and innovative University spin-out. 

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About Clyde Biosciences

Clyde Biosciences is a spin out company from Glasgow University’s College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences. Founded in 2012, the company has already worked with several of the world’s major pharmaceutical companies and counts the top global stem cell companies among its business partners. Clyde Bioscience’s mission is to improve success in its customers’ drug discovery processes by providing superior data and service. The Company’s founders include Dr. Margaret Anne Craig, Professor Godfrey Smith and Dr. Francis Burton each of whom is a respected leader in their fields. For more information see www.clydebiosciences.com

Media enquiries: Anokhi Madhavji, PLMR - 07415 701 567 or stuart.forsyth@glasgow.ac.uk / 0141 330 4831

 

 

First published: 15 April 2015