TPP lands first drug development deal with Edinburgh University

The focus will be on commercialisation opportunities in the areas of nervous system disorders, immunology/inflammation and oncology. Initially the agreement will run for five years, after which it may be extended.

This agreement follows TPP’s first round funding in May, when it raised £9.6 million to fund early preclinical development of programmes in-licensed from universities and public research institutes, to meet the standards required by pharma.

According to TPP, there is not enough funding for this early stage research, and where it does happen, the work is not carried out appropriately because there is a lack of understanding of commercial and requirements. If the preclinical work not carried out to pharma industry standards it is much harder to outlicense and commercialise.

At the same time, TPP argues, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly prepared to pay a premium for high quality preclinical research. Indeed, the lack of resources for knocking early stage academic programmes into something of interest to pharma is becoming more evident as the industry cuts back spending on preclinical research in house and looks to in-license drug programmes from academic labs.

TPP distinguishes itself because it is willing to in-license and develop products at a much earlier stage than is usual, and is prepared to look at programmes from target identification onwards.

The intention is to keep academic researchers involved in their own projects and where possible, TPP will develop projects in the lab of the inventor, or else at a local contract research organisation.

Thomas Brown, TPP’s CEO, said, “We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with the University of Edinburgh. They rank amongst the global elite in terms of academic excellence and ability to originate novel IP.”

Jonathan Seckl, Director of Research for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the university, said, “I am highly delighted that TPP has recognised the enormous commercial potential encompassed within Edinburgh’s globally-leading basic and translational medical and veterinary research.”

TPP has an experienced board with strong industry expertise. CEO Tom Brown and CFO Peter Trill have almost 25 years combined experience of advising on and investing in healthcare and biotech companies. The TPP scientific advisory board is chaired by Sid Gilman, previously member and chairman of the panel advising the US regulator the FDA on drugs for treating central nervous system disorders.

After this first deal with Edinburgh, TTP aims to establish further partnerships with academic researchers throughout Europe, the US and Asia.