New healthcare technology development project launched to improve patient outcome and the success rate of haematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT)

€3.5 million research and development programme is launched today to improve the success rate of stem cell transplants, including bone marrow transplants for Leukaemia patients. Professor Anne Dickinson, Haematological Sciences, Newcastle University, leads the programme in partnership with a consortium of 13 leading European clinical research institutes and biotech firms.

Known as StemDiagnostics, the consortium will aim to identify new bio-markers (indicators of transplant rejection and clinical complications) and develop medical diagnostic tests that will help practitioners to improve the success rate of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), treatments for life threatening medical conditions and cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and inherited immune disorders.

Around 7,000 such transplants take place throughout Europe each year, but the survival rate is low (40 – 60 per cent) and decreases rapidly with patient age. The application of HSCT therapy is also hampered by the lack of suitable matched donors: only 25 –30 per cent of patients find a compatible sibling donor.

Such transplants involve the use of bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells and umbilical cord blood as stem cell sources. The project, which follows 3 year’s research by Professor Dickinson and the Consortium, aims to develop tests with the use of the latest bionano and lab-on-a-chip techniques provided by SMEs such as Orla Protein Technologies, also based in North East England. Cenamps, a Newcastle-based centre for emerging umbilical cord blood as stem cell sources. The project, which follows 3 year’s research by Professor Dickinson and the Consortium, aims to develop tests with the use of the latest bionano and lab-on-a-chip techniques provided by SMEs such as Orla Protein Technologies, also based in North East England. Cenamps, a Newcastle-based centre for emerging technologies, will handle commercialisation aspects of the project’s outcomes.

Professor Anne Dickinson, commented: “The project is the first of its kind to bring together research looking at a variety of different biomarkers – or indicators of post transplant complications. These include DNA and proteins. From this work, we hope to be able to develop new diagnostic tools using genomics, proteomics, in vitro bioassays and biochips, to aid in earlier clinical intervention by predicting any complications which may arise in our bone marrow transplant patients.”

StemDiagnostics will develop new proteomic, biological and genomic tests for predicting patient response prior to transplant and subsequently for monitoring of patient response to novel therapeutics for the most severe complication of HSCT – graft versus host disease (GvHD). The consortium aims to bring to the clinic the next generation of diagnostics tests for use in HSCT.
To meet this challenge, StemDiagnostics brings together five of European’s leading small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in genomic and proteomic testing, diagnostic assay development and biochips, with clinical partners selected for their world-leading research in HSCT and access to clinical samples and patient groups. The SMEs include Mosaiques Diagnostics, Multimmune, IMGM Laboratories, Apotech and Orla Protein Technologies.

Shak Gohir, Business & Programme Manager at Cenamps, added: “We’re extremely excited to see such a life enhancing and life saving research being led from here - the North East of England. StemDiagnostics very much aligns with Cenamps’ core objectives to stimulate and connect research conducted in some Europe’s leading universities and research institutions to resolve issues and challenges that clearly address the real and wider needs of society.”

The programme is funded by the European Commission to the tune of €2.5M over next three years, through the EU Sixth Framework Programme under the Life Sciences and Health theme. The consortium provides for the remaining investment.

Shak Gohir
Business & Programme Manager

Career Opportunity: BioNano Commercialisation Manager with Cenamps

Cenamps is a unique company. We connect regional and national economic strategies with emerging technological capabilities and market drivers to help businesses to succeed through the innovation of high value processes, products and services. Due to the recent award of major technology projects and our subsequent, and continual, growth we are seeking to recruit four individuals to join our highly talented and dedicated team. We are seeking to hire a NanoBio Commercialisation Manager.

The successful candidate will actively lead the early-stage technology commercialisation activities of Cenamps BioNano research and innovation projects and be responsible for Cenamps IP portfolio and interests. Applicants must demonstrate experience in the innovation and commercialisation of emerging healthcare technologies such as lab-on-a-chip devices, biomaterials and sensors and/or other medical devices ideally gained by working in industry and will be skilled in focusing research and innovation activities in alignment with identified needs and market drivers.

The successful candidate will work on a number of high profile regional and European research projects, engaging closely with our academic and industrial partners to drive forward commercialisation strategies, uncover routes to market, identifying specific technologies requiring IP protection, publishing thought leadership articles and presenting at international conferences. Two of our high profile European projects aim to innovate new medical devices for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and improving patient outcomes from haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) treatment.

With an established network of contacts, the Commercialisation Manager will be adept at generating, shaping and following through on new project and business opportunities. Experience in proposal development, venture capital, government R&D grants and medical device regulations is strongly preferred, in addition to knowledge of the medical sciences and trends in the healthcare sector. Across a number of key industries including energy, health and chemicals, an important aspect of the opportunity will be to assist and mentor high-tech SMEs on technology innovation, investment sources, partner searching and commercialisation. Candidates with a MBA and PhD in relevant fields, with experience gained from industry, are strongly preferred.