Conference Reports
16th BioPartnering Europe
London,
12-14 October 2008
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, nestled in the heart of historic Westminster, London, once again played host to the Annual BioPartnering Europe conference. Over 1,100 attendees from more than 625 companies were attracted to the packed programme of presentations and workshops; the venue providing the perfect backdrop for the days ahead.
For the 16th year running, BioPartnering Europe chose London
as a prime location to create opportunities for both large
pharma and smaller companies alike to network and allow the
fruits of partnership to flourish. In the style of speed-dating,
company representatives were given just fifteen minutes to
summarise their best traits and outline their activities to highlight
why attendees should partner with them. Smaller companies
featured more strongly, presenting a plethora of novel
platforms and partnering opportunities to interest even the
most hardened businessmen!
AstraZeneca's CEO, David Brennan, kicked off the proceedings with a keynote address on the importance of good relationships - in a pharmaceutical context of course. In his speech, Mr Brennan stressed the importance of pharmaceutical allegiance and the adaptation of the industry to meet the recent economic challenges, stating that, "Partnership is a strategic opportunity in the current economic climate.strong companies don't sit around passively for the storm to pass. For AstraZeneca, strategic partnering is a priority". Following suit, companies such as Neurotech, Celleron, Novozymes, Xenome, and many more, came together through presentations, informal social networking and private consultations to start the beginnings of new partnerships.
Of note was the presentation by new start-up company Biocontrol, which introduced its novel bacteriophage therapy for a range of diseases in which many treatments have become virtually ineffective. Company activity has thus far focused on the use of these bacterial nemeses to combat the evergrowing prevalence of bacterial infection. This technology is believed to help in the fight against potentially life-threatening meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as well as other hospital-acquired superbugs. The use of antibiotics could possibly become redundant in the very near future and in preparation for this, Biocontrol has taken biological control of the situation and found a very promising and viable alternative to this conundrum. Phase II proof-of-concept trials are complete and developmental partnership is actively being sought to bring this technology to patients.
Also of interest was the presentation by Haemostatix, a biopharmaceutical company that develops pioneering new therapies for the treatment of clotting disorders that result in uncontrolled bleeding. At the centre of its innovative technology platform is lead product HaemoPlax, a synthetic platelet substitute with a 1 year shelf-life, which is currently in preclinical development. The synthetic particles are only activated once they encounter the patient's residual activated platelets at the site of bleeding, thus acting to safely and effectively control the issue.
At the end of the first day, light relief was provided by a lavish evening reception at the Science Museum, South Kensington, enabling all attendees to refresh before another packed day. Guests were awed by exhibitions on the 'first century of plastic' and three-dimensional trips to the moon, all helping to "bring science to life, and life to science".
However, it was soon time for attendees to return for more pharmaceutical match-making. On day two Spectrum Pharmaceuticals took the audience on an epic journey through the diseased human bladder. Using videography as its chosen medium, all were strangely intrigued by the graphic images of a doctor's seemingly barbaric crusade through a non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patient. The company then lightened the mood by offering their novel anticancer compound, EOquin as a more civilised alternative to the widely used bladder cystectomy. This prodrug is administered directly to the site of the tumour, where the tumour-native enzyme DT diaphorase activates the compound, allowing it to perform its tumour-killing activity. Spectrum is seeking partners for the worldwide commercialization of EOquin, which is in two randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase III trials.
This year, BioPartnering Europe maintained its unique position as a vehicle for encouraging both scientific discussion and business development. The focus on innovative yet financially viable research once again provided a refreshing perspective, with the three informative days providing fertile ground for much-needed partnering discussions. With more presenters than ever before and new features, such as the dedicated Meeting & Message desk and photo display monitors, the 16th BioPartnering Europe Conference cemented its position as a hot location for both emerging and established companies to inform and do business.
Clare Gibbard & Naila Shaw
Pharmaprojects Analysts
