GRAMPIAN BIOPARTNERS LTD (GBP), based in Aberdeen, was formed in 2008 by three colleagues who were the scientific founders of Haptogen, a spinout from the University of Aberdeen. Haptogen was a drug discovery company developing protein-based treatments for life threatening diseases including bacterial infections and liver disease/fibrosis. Haptogen also launched a new antibody platform technology that pioneered the isolation and use of shark antibodies for the treatment of disease. Professor Andy Porter, and Drs Gillian Broadbent and Keith Charlton became the core team of GBP following Haptogen�s acquisition by Wyeth.
GBP is establishing itself as an active, yet informal investment syndicate for angel investors wishing to back young life science companies. Typical investments range from �10K to around �250K. Becoming coinvestment partners with Scottish Enterprise in 2010 has enabled GBP�s investees to access additional funds for investment. All three principals were, and still consider themselves to be, active scientists, and it is their deep understanding of science, and of the benefits of its developmentand application that guides their investment decisions. GBP is unusual in that it only invests in life sciences, and then, only in segments of the market the principals are totally familiar with - immunodiagnostics and devices, immunotechnology, biologic drug discovery. GBP has particular expertise in the areas of antibody diagnostics and biologic therapeutics. More recently it has also made early stage assessments and investments in regenerative medicine and vaccine/drug delivery companies.
NovaBiotics
The experience with NovaBiotics demonstrates GBP�s willingness to undertake due diligence on behalf of other potential investors, and to take the lead in supporting funding rounds. Early in 2008, GBP made its first investment in Aberdeen based NovaBiotics, which designs and develops novel peptide-based anti-infectives. Drug development is a hugely expensive process, and GBP has invested in the company five times. Progress has been rapid - NovaBiotics� lead compound the biologic, Novexatin, a brush-on treatment for nail fungus, has successfully completed Phase IIa clinical trails. And further exciting products are in the pipeline. Asked about the benefits of GBP�s involvement with NovaBiotics, its Chief Executive, Deborah O�Neil commented, �GBP has invested serially in NovaBiotics over the course of what has been a criticalperiod in the company�s lifecycle. GBP�s ability to understand the science and the company�s novel technology platform from an early stage, and to grasp the therapeutic and commercial potential of the product candidates NovaBiotics has developed, has been key to attracting syndicated co-investment from other funds including Tri Capital, Aurora, Discovery Investment Fund and Scottish Enterprise. The funding rounds in which GBP has participated and, latterly, led have helped transform NovaBiotics from a preclinical company with exciting technology and potential products to a leading biotechnology entity with clinically validated anti-infective drug candidates.�
Pharmacells/Oristem
Pharmacells is a young biotechnology company. It is based in Glasgow and has exclusive rights to a novel adult stem cell technique. It has the ability to identify, isolate, process and store recently discovered pluripotent cells directly from a blood sample. Its patentedtechnique allows easy, quick and cost-effective access using a minimally invasive technique. Through its subsidiary, Oristem, the company now offers stem cell collection and banking to individuals. Athol Haas, Pharmacells� CEO sees real value in GBP�s hands-on approach - �Grampian BioPartners has become a key part of our business model. It has contributed not only financially but also with expert advice, contacts and general life sciences business savvy. It was very important for us to not only raise the finance we need to achieve our goals but to attempt to include useful partners that can improve our business where possible. Our partnership with GBP continues to prove that this decision was the right one for us.�
Cytosystems
In the area of diagnostics, GBP has invested in Cytosystemsan innovative Aberdeen company that has developed a clinically proven non-invasive early and predictive test for bladder cancer diagnosis and monitoring. A similar approach looks very likely to be applicable to diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer too. During the past year, new investors have joined the syndicate, and James Shaw, GBP�s Company Secretary, has established his own practice in London and Edinburgh, extending GBP�s geographic reach, and its access to further investment funds. Enquiries from both potential investors, and from companies looking for investment are routed through the �contact� page on its website. Several investments are under discussion, and GBP will be investing further funds over the coming months.
The final words are, perhaps, best left to Athol Haas who succinctly summarises the strength of GBP�s proposition, �One of GBP�s key contributors, Professor Andy Porter, has become a non-executive director of Pharmacells. Andy works continually to add to our proposition and product range with his vast knowledge of life sciences business success. His particular dual skill set as both a highly regarded scientist and a successful business owner, is a very useful combination and serves to make Pharmacells into a stronger business all round.�
For further information about
Grampian BioPartners and the
companies featured see:
W: www.grampianbiopartners.com
W: www.cytosystems.com
W: www.novabiotics.co.uk
W: www.oristem.com
W: www.pharmacells.co.uk
From Nexxus Magazine
NovaBiotics secures an additional £3.0 million investment from Woodford Investment Management | 3rd March 2017
Commercial Collaboration Deal for (Oral) Lynovex® | 5th August 2016
NovaBiotics Announces New Data on Cysteamine (Nylexa™) as an Antimicrobial Resistance Breaker in Multi Drug Resistant Bacteria | 18 June 2016
NovaBiotics Highlights Importance of Co-ordinated Approach to Antimicrobial Resistance | 7th June 2016
NovaBiotics Wins Investment of the Year Award | 5 Feb 2016
Lynovex® Activity in CF sputum & Against the Emerging CF Pathogen, Mycobacterium abscessus | 12 Aug 2015
Phase IIa clinical study results for NovaBiotics' Lynovex® presented at the 38th Annual European Cystic Fibrosis Symposium | 12 Jun 2015
Launch of the BEAM Alliance | 9 Jun 2015
NovaBiotics Quoted in "What Investment" on 11 February | 11 Feb 2015
NovaBiotics Raises £5.0 million in a Private Placement from Woodford Investment Management | 19 Jan 2015
NovaBiotics' Dr Deborah O'Neil Named EY UK Health Products & Services Entrepreneur of 2014 | 7 Oct 2014
Showcases increasing investor interest in the global stem cell sector | 22 Sep 2014
NovaBiotics Receives Orphan Drug Status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Lynovex® | 16 Sep 2014
Scotland's Pharmacells Group creates 12 new jobs at BioCity Scotland following acquisition by Precious Cells Group, London | 18 August 2014
Precious Cells Biobank Acquires Stem Cell Technology Leader Pharmacells Group | 25 July 2014
NovaBiotics' Dr Deborah O'Neil Wins Entrepreneur of the Year | 27 June 2014
NovaBiotics Initiates Phase IIa Clinical Study for Lynovex in Cystic Fibrosis | 25 June 2014
NovaBiotics' Dr Deborah O'Neil Named EY Scotland Entrepreneur of 2014 | 20 June 2014
NovaBiotics Initiates Development of Orphan Drug in Cystic Fibrosis | 17 December 2013
Pharmacells to expand following funding boost | 24 September 2013
NovaBiotics Enters into Agreement with Taro | 28 August 2013
First patient dosed at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in major international study | 29 August 2012
Pharmacells in talks to extend reach overseas | 24 January 2012
New hope in cystic fibrosis fight as Scots patients first to test drug | 2 January 2012
NovaBiotics reveals plans for cystic fibrosis drug after EU grants orphan status | 19 December 2011
Pharmacells stores stem cells for teenager paralysed in car crash | 20 October 2011
NovaBiotics Ltd - Presentation at BIO International 2011, Washington DC | 24 June 2011
Launch of Oristem® | 04 June 2011
GBP in Nexxus newsletter, Spring 2011 | 22 March 2011
Patents granted in key territories as Novexatin® moves closer to further clinical development and commercialisation | 21 February 2011
Unblinded Phase IIa Clinical Trial Data Delivers Excellent Results for Novexatin®, Nova... | 5 July 2010
Successful Completion of Phase IIa clinical trial for Novexatin®, IND filing planned for Phase IIb... | 1 May 2010
NovaBiotics secures an additional £3.0 million investment from Woodford Investment Management
3rd March 2017
Commercial Collaboration Deal for (Oral) Lynovex®
5th August 2016
NovaBiotics Announces New Data on Cysteamine (Nylexa™)
18th June 2016
NovaBiotics Highlights Importance of Co-ordinated Approach to Antimicrobial Resistance
7th June 2016
NovaBiotics Wins Investment of the Year Award
5th February 2016
Lynovex® Activity in CF sputum & Against the Emerging CF Pathogen, Mycobacterium abscessus
12th August 2015
Phase IIa clinical study results for NovaBiotics' Lynovex® presented at the 38th Annual European Cystic Fibrosis Symposium
12th June 2015
Launch of the BEAM Alliance
9th June 2015
NovaBiotics Quoted in "What Investment" on 11 February
11th February 2015
NovaBiotics Raises £5.0 million in a Private Placement from Woodford Investment Management
19th January 2015
NovaBiotics' Dr Deborah O'Neil Named EY UK Health Products & Services Entrepreneur of 2014
7th October 2014
Showcases increasing investor interest in the global stem cell sector
22nd September 2014
NovaBiotics Receives Orphan Drug Status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Lynovex®
16th September 2014
Scotland's Pharmacells Group creates 12 new jobs at BioCity Scotland following acquisition by Precious Cells Group, London
18th August 2014
Precious Cells Biobank Acquires Stem Cell Technology Leader Pharmacells Group
25th July 2014