Conference Reports
The Joint SMR & UK Biotechnology Company Showcase/Genesis VI
London, 11th - 12th December 2006
‘If you are a biotechnology company based in London, why go anywhere, the world will come to you.’
Westminster, famous for London's Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and during the festive month, the sparkling lights of Christmas, was the refined setting for the sixth annual Genesis conference. Day one featured the popular UK Biotechnology Company Showcase, held in the DTI Conference Centre, which was expanded on the second day to facilitate more targeted parallel streams in the nearby QEII Centre.
The joint conference kicked off with a welcome introduction by Dr Alan Palmer, the chairman of the Society for Medicines Research (SMR), which was celebrating its 40th anniversary, and led onto several morning sessions, including a CNS Showcase running parallel to an Anti-Infectives Showcase. Also running simultaneously that morning were the Protein Therapeutics and Discovery Platform Technologies showcases.
First to advertise its anti-infective wares was Syntopix, which has expertise in developing known compounds as combination products for the treatment of acne and MRSA, and it has a busy schedule over the next two years. A Phase I trial for its acne product is expected in March or April 2007, with Phase II initiation planned for late 2007. It has demonstrated antibacterial efficacy and was found to reduce propionibacterium acne levels. Syntopix' anti-staphylococcus aureus candidate, meanwhile, is scheduled to undergo preclinical tests in a cotton rat model by the end of March 2008. Syntopix is seeking partners for early involvement with its acne candidate. Other promising anti-infectives were discussed by F2G, which is developing treatments for systemic fungal infections and has completed lead optimization in its lead programme F3. Arrow Pharmaceuticals also gave an informative overview of its pipeline.
The afternoon's Oncology Showcase was equally enlightening. Astex Therapeutics' AT-9283 is in Phase I trials for solid tumours, and its Bcr-Abl and JAK2 inhibitory activity is being explored in preclinical studies in various leukaemias, polycythemia vera and essential thrombocytopenia. AT-7519 is also progressing in multiple Phase I trials in solid tumours and leukaemias, and Astex's preclinical candidate, AT-9311, is in preclinical studies. Biotica was also keen to promote knowledge concerning its R&D, disclosing that its earlystage Hsp90 and angiogen inhibitors are available for licensing to a suitable partner.
The final day of the meeting had a different atmosphere within the roomier Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, with numerous exhibits filling the main foyer and companies enthusiastically advertising their businesses to eager delegates. Between visits to the exhibits, attendees were invited to numerous talks and presentations, kicking off the potential for business opportunity. Professor Lord Robert Winston opened the day with an eye-opening address concerning issues of public perception surrounding stem cell biology. Britain's tight embryonic regulation seems to be considered a burden to many scientists including Lord Winston, who believe the only option is now to take the studies out of London. This view was in stark contrast to that of the conference sponsor, the London Stock Exchange, whose Alternative Investment Market (AIM) attracts international, particularly US, pharmaceutical companies due to its less onerous regulation and lower compliance burden on smaller companies.
After a tasty two-course lunch, during which delegates did not miss an opportunity to network, the afternoon's business exchanges peaked, with multiple parallel streams, and an aptly titled 'All I want for Christmas is..' session providing the ideal platform for speakers to discuss their out-licensing plans. TopoTarget advertised the fact that it is seeking partners for candidates Avugane and Baceca (valproic acid, TopoTarget), and marketing partners in non-EU and US territories for its product Savene (dexrazoxane, TopoTarget). Italy-based Menarini also advertised the R&D and commerical licensing availabilities of its candidates such as zofenopril, which is registered in the EU, and nepaductant, a tachykinin antagonist in clinical development. Almirall contributed to the festive disclosures with news that its as yet undisclosed COPD and asthma compounds are expected to enter clinical trials this year. Also on the Christmas wish lists of presenting companies were in-licensing opportunities, which they asked for in rounding up their talks.
An excellent plenary panel discussion highlighting the UK's competitiveness as an R&D location brought the afternoon to a close, and led-on perfectly to a transformed foyer filled with a selection of wines, Caribbean punch, and a three-man Caribbean steel band playing a selection of festive sounds. Indeed, the Caribbean Christmas Reception made for an interesting end to a productive afternoon, and although very few delegates were brave enough to 'bust their moves' on the dance floor, the networking continued until the final drop of Caribbean punch had been consumed.
The joint SMR/Genesis conference proved an excellent alliance, leaving us to think 'All we want for Christmas is..' the same again next year.
Caroline Richards
Pharmaprojects Analyst
