Aberdeen University spin-out swept up by Wyeth

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Another of Europe’s antibody companies came under the hammer as Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, acquired Haptogen Ltd., a spin out from Aberdeen University. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Haptogen will remain at its site at the university, becoming part of Wyeth Discovery Research. Wyeth ranks fourth in biotechnology in terms of marketed products and this acquisitions boosts its discovery capabilities in the field.

The most eye-catching element of Haptogen’s portfolio is a library of shark antibodies. library of shark antibodies discovered at the university. Shark antibodies are the smallest found in the animal kingdom, and their small size should mean they can reach intracellular targets. a property that is expected to enable them to reach targets that are not accessible with larger counterparts.

“Haptogen brings to Wyeth a suite of next-generation biotechnology discovery tools,” said Frank Walsh, Executive Vice President of Discovery, Wyeth Research, who added, “In addition to the exciting technology and first- rate research team that we are bringing into our organisation, we consider the opportunity to conduct biopharmaceutical drug discovery in Scotland particularly important because of the rich pool of scientific and technological talent.”

Since it was spun out in 2002, Haptogen has developed a number of techniques for scaling down antibody-based products, opening up more convenient routes of administration and the ability to reach intracellular targets.

Wyeth has built a significant research network in Scotland through the Translational Medicine Research Collaboration. This partnership, which was launched in 2006, includes Aberdeen Universities along with the universities of Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow, the regional National Health Service and the inward investment body Scottish Enterprise.

Haptogen has struggled to raise funding since its formation and Jim Reid, founder and Chief Executive Officer said being acquired by Wyeth, “creates the greatest opportunity for realising the potential to bring new treatments to patients".