Member Article

£165k funding for Eurprotec to fuel drug discovery projects

Manchester Science Park-based biomedical firm Euprotec has been awarded £165l from the Corridor Growth Fund (CGF) to fuel its expansion plans.

The firm plans to broaden its anti-infective drug discovery and development capabilities and will use the money to expand its facilities.

Euprotec has grown rapidly since its formation in 2008, developing worldwide partnerships with leading pharma and biotech companies as well as government and academic institutions.

The government’s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, has recently described antimicrobial resistance as a “ticking time-bomb” and suggested that, if we don’t take action, then we may all be back in an almost 19th Century environment where infections kill us as a result of routine operations.

As part of Euprotec’s expansion, the company will also continue to build its comprehensive and highly characterised collection of bacteria and fungi, a resource which is critically important to its clients’ research programs.

This strainbank will enable a continued focus on multidrug resistant pathogens, new testing methodologies, and a greater understanding of mechanisms of resistance.

Lloyd Payne, chief executive of Euprotec, said: “This funding is a boost not only for Euprotec but also for the broader biomedical community based in Manchester and the North West.

“The investment will enable us to support an even greater number of organisations in the discovery of new anti-infective vaccines and therapies, helping to address the significant challenges and global health issues that have arisen as a result of antimicrobial resistance.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester has an incredibly strong science and research base and building on that is going to be an important element of the city’s growth.

“This fund should help incentivise businesses to locate in the Corridor area, attracting further jobs and investment.”

The £2 million CGF is supported by the Regional Growth Fund and aims to provide grant funding to grow the knowledge-based economy in Manchester

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .