Money for regenerative medicine technologies

Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network has been instrumental in winning a UK DTI collaborative R+D grant in regenerative medicine technologies

The project, worth over GBP1.7m, has attracted over GBP1m from the DTI Technology Programme.

The lead partner is Plasticell , a London based privately held biotechnology SME that uses novel cell culture and drug discovery platforms to produce regenerative small molecule drugs.

Other partners include the University College London and the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC).

All three organisations will each get a scientist for three years, while Chemistry Innovation takes on the role of project manager.

The project aims to apply high throughput techniques to determine the optimum conditions to reproducibly control the differentiation of a high proportion of stem cells.

This is a central issue for regenerative medicine.

Steve Fletcher, projects director for Chemistry Innovation, commented "By adding the power of advanced imaging and robotic microwell-based engineering to an already powerful combinatorial we hope to create an internationally leading general technology for quickly and efficiently examining large numbers of linked variables.

"This will create foundations for a powerful commercial activity applicable across this new and emerging industry.

Chemistry Innovation is delighted to have brought this consortium together to win this award".

Yen Choo, Plasticell's MD, found the team of Chemistry Innovation to be very helpful in structuring the bid.

"It was all very well organised and I expect to see further skills kick in later when the project starts", he said.

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