CellCentric expands its epigenetics research network

Collaboration

CellCentric Ltd, the Cambridge-based company that is working to commercialise epigenetics research, has signed up Ramin Shiekhattar and Luciano Di Croce at the Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, as the 25th laboratory in its research network.

CellCentric claims this it the largest research network of any company in the field, which is concerned with mechanisms other than DNA that control inheritance and cell fate. Currently the company has six small-molecule discovery programmes and is building a portfolio of epigenetic-related supporting technologies, including screens and markers, to support this effort. It has prioritised the discovery programmes by working with its network of epigenetic researchers to identify and evaluate findings of commercial value.

CellCentric then interacts with technology transfer offices attached to the research laboratories to file patents and finalise licences. It then aims to commercialise these in collaboration with pharma partners. For example, it agreed a feasibility study and option agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals in January 2009, where the two companies are collaborating on a novel cancer target, and signed a non-exclusive evaluation and optional licence agreement to a particular screening assay in October 2008 with Pfizer Regenerative Medicine, the pharma giant’s stem cell research group.

Will West, Chief Executive, said epigenetics is still an emerging field in which breadth of scientific understanding will be key to commercial success. “Our innovative business model of harnessing information from multiple world leaders has fuelled a series of highly competitive discovery programmes. The fact that we have translated this to early deals that have brought in revenue without diluting our assets, proves we are recognised to be in a dominant position in epigenetics.”