A new search engine which effectively acts as a Google for bug-busting genomic scientists has been unveiled by researchers at EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute at the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus in Cambridge.

They have combined their knowledge of bacterial genetics and web search algorithms to build a DNA search engine for microbial data.

The search engine, described in a paper published in Nature Biotechnology, could enable researchers and public health agencies to use genome sequencing data to monitor the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. 

By making this vast amount of data discoverable, the search engine could also allow researchers to learn more about bacteria and viruses.

The search engine, called Bitsliced Genomic Signature Index (BIGSI), fulfils a similar purpose to internet search engines, such as Google.

The amount of sequenced microbial DNA is doubling every two years. Until now, there was no practical way to search this data. This type of search could prove extremely useful for understanding disease. 

Google and other search engines use natural language processing to search through billions of websites. They are able to take advantage of the fact that human language is relatively unchanging. 

By contrast, microbial DNA shows the imprint of billions of years of evolution, so each new microbial genome can contain new ‘language’ that has never been seen before. The key to making BIGSI work was finding a way to build a search index that could cope with the diversity of microbial DNA.
 
Take, for example, an outbreak of food poisoning, where the cause is a Salmonella strain containing a drug-resistance plasmid (a ‘hitchhiking’ DNA element that can spread drug resistance across different bacterial species). 

For the first time, BIGSI allows researchers to easily spot if and when the plasmid has been seen before.

Zamin Iqbal, research group leader at EMBL-EBI said: “We know that bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics either through mutations or with the help of plasmids.

“We also know that we can use mutations in bacterial DNA as a historical record of bacterial ancestry. This allows us to infer, to some extent, how bacteria might spread across a hospital ward, a country or the world. 

“BIGSI helps us study all of these things at massive scale. For the first time, it allows scientists to ask questions such as ‘has this outbreak strain been seen before?’ or ‘has this drug resistance gene spread to a new species?’.”

The search engine complements other existing tools and offers a solution that can scale to the vast amounts of data the lab is now generating.

Iqbal adds: “As DNA sequencing becomes cheaper, we will see a whole new host of users outside basic research, and a rapid increase in the volume of data generated. “

We will very likely see DNA sequencing used in clinics, or in the field, to diagnose patients and prescribe treatment, but we could also see it used for a range of other things, such as checking what type of meat is in a burger. Making genomics data searchable at this point is essential and it will allow us to learn a huge amount about biology, evolution, the spread of disease, and much more.”

Cambridge brainpower is spearheading a €40 million play to fight neurological diseases.

Sosei Heptares, whose R & D mothership is in Cambridge, is partnering with Medicxi – whose founding partner and chief scientist, David Grainger, operates internationally from a Cambridge base – to form two independent companies, Orexia  and Inexia.

The new ventures aim to develop novel therapies based on positive modulators of the G protein-coupled receptors Orexin OX1 and OX2 for neurological diseases. Medicxi will be investing in both companies with an aggregate amount of up to €40 million.

Orexia and Inexia will obtain a portfolio of related patents and have the rights to exploit a series of Orexin OX1 and OX2 positive modulators and products derived.

Orexia will focus on the development of oral therapies while Inexia will steer development of candidates for intranasal delivery using the Optinose Exhalation Delivery System. 

Japanese owned parent company Sosei Group Corporation will retain an equity holding in both businesses and receive R & D payments as well as further payments on the achievement of pre-defined development milestones.

The funding committed by Medicxi, will enable the further development and optimisation of lead candidates for oral or intranasal administration into clinical development and through to proof-of-concept, utilising Sosei Heptares’ platform, discovery and clinical development expertise including extensive experience of neurological disorders. 

Specific target indications will be determined as the programmes advance, and will include narcolepsy, a rare sleep disorder.

The orexin system is a key regulator of behavioural arousal, wakefulness and sleep. The loss of the orexin neurons has been shown to be strongly linked to multiple neurological conditions including narcolepsy. In this indication, orexin receptors remain intact and functional, providing an opportunity for therapeutic intervention.

The primary target indication of narcolepsy is characterised by frequent transitions between states of wakefulness and sleep and the inability of maintaining a wakeful state. 

Narcoleptic patients experience excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), manifesting as attacks of falling asleep at unpredictable times, as well as often suffering from cataplexy, a sudden debilitating but transient weakening of muscle tone that can cause sufferers to collapse. 

Dr Malcolm Weir, executive VP and chief R & D officer of Sosei Heptares, said: “The asset-centric approach pioneered by Medicxi has proved to be very successful for developing discreet and novel assets and for creating significant value, and allows us seamlessly to transfer our ongoing activities and IP into these two special purpose vehicles.

“We see great promise in the orexin agonist program and believe it can be advanced significantly with this focused funding and within these new structures in which we retain a significant stake.”

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group in Cambridge is to supply the MoD with fuel tanks that will allow aircraft to hunt for submarines for long periods, the Minister for Defence Procurement Stuart Andrew has revealed.

During a visit to the UK company, the Minster said  that the first of the Boeing P-8A aircraft featuring the tanks will be ready for use in a year’s time.

Speaking to staff he said: “I’ve been truly impressed by this company and I think the work that you’re doing is really is superb. The design and manufacture of these vital parts could not be in the hands of a more trusted partner.

“It marks another important milestone for this very important programme. They will provide crucial global protection to NATO and our allies as well as enhancing maritime search and rescue capability.

“The Ministry of Defence is the defence industry’s largest customer, creating a global and thriving competitive defence industry. The P-8A is the latest chapter in our successful partnership and it will be setting the tone for our working relationship for many decades to come.”

Speaking to Business Weekly about the contract he said: “Marshalls are not backward in coming forward and going for new business. It’s a company that has had a long working relationship with the MoD to ensure that our armed forces get the capability they need, which is why it’s been really good to come here to see what they’re doing.”

He also praised Marshall for its commitment to apprenticeships. “What’s great about this company is that even when apprenticeships weren’t fashionable they were still doing them. There are a lot of lessons that other companies can learn about how Marshall have been doing things.”

On the inevitable subject of Brexit he said: “We are used to working with companies on a global scale, not just within the EU. We’re listening to industry but I see there are real opportunities for us in the future as we go forward whether that’s with us leaving with a deal or without. 
“I can see us having greater prosperity in the future if we take advantage of every opportunity that exists if we leave on March 29.”

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group CEO CEO Alistair McPhee added: “This is a programme in which the company has invested a lot of effort and money for quite some time; we have provided these fuel tanks for US aircraft, for Australian aircraft, Indian aircraft and for many other fleets. It’s a proud moment to be actually doing this for our own RAF aircraft.”

Speaking to Business Weekly he added that the deal was part of ongoing work with Boeing that generates about £35 million a year and provides employment for around 65 people.

The group will also be taking on around 50 apprentices this year. McPhee said: “We’ve had an unbroken apprenticeship scheme for 98 years, which is down to the Marshall family and their commitment to young people.”

The RAF’s Air Commodore Ian Gale, who is responsible for the PA8 Programme spoke to staff of the importance of the aircraft:  “It’s a challenging place out there, primarily from Russia, but there are other people who have high interest in challenging our security.

“I’m really impressed when I come here with a number of things that you do, the way you do it and that you are a proper all-British company.  I’m delighted what you are doing with apprenticeships here at Marshalls.

“We value the work you are doing and are looking forward to seeing your fuel tanks in our aeroplanes.”

Anna Keeling, MD of Boeing Defence UK, outlined the value of the Marshall team to the global aviation giant. She said: “You are such a key supplier to Boeing. These tanks are going on a multi-mission, maritime control aircraft – one that is really proving itself every single day around the globe. When it arrives it will really provide the UK unparalleled capability.”

Cambridge UK gene editing pioneer Horizon Discovery has announced a revenue spike of more than 60 per cent and a new CFO in another headline grabbing day.

Horizon expects to report revenues of around £58.7m for the year to December 31, circa £60.5 million on a constant currency basis. 

The figures represent growth of approximately 61 per cent against the prior year, about 66 per cent up on a constant currency basis.  

The group also expects to report a significant expansion in gross margins to more than 67 per cent (FY 2017: 62 per cent) driven by portfolio optimisation of both products and services. 

EBITDA before exceptional items is expected to be positive and ahead of market expectations. The group cash balance of not less than £25 million is also well ahead of expectations, as a result of higher gross margins, cost discipline and a focus on debtor collection.

Horizon announced in parallel that CFO Richard Vellacott, who filled the breach as interim CEO when Darrin Disley surprisingly left the business last year, had himself stepped down after seven years with the business. He is replaced by Jayesh who joined Horizon Discovery’s finance department in April 2018 in an interim CFO capacity as Vellacott covered Dr Disley’s absence.

Pankhania was previously group CFO of Xtera while previous leadership roles include deputy CFO of Asia Resource Minerals Plc, CFO of Planned Maintenance at Carillion Plc and CFO of Rail and Metro at Serco Plc. 

CEO Terry Pizzie said the second half of 2018 had seen the continued growth of Horizon into a more focused global, commercial and scalable business.

He said: “As gene editing continues to industrialise, and with an already strong order book for the first half of 2019, we are seeing increasing interest and demand for our products and unique scientific expertise. 

“With positive sales momentum and a strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to execute our invest for growth strategy to build a commanding share in all our chosen markets. We are confident in our growth prospects and look forward to reporting on our exciting progress.”

The group expects to announce its results on April 29.

Cambridge UK gene editing pioneer Horizon Discovery has announced a revenue spike of more than 60 per cent and a new CFO in another headline grabbing day.

Horizon expects to report revenues of around £58.7m for the year to December 31, circa £60.5 million on a constant currency basis. 

The figures represent growth of approximately 61 per cent against the prior year, about 66 per cent up on a constant currency basis.  

The group also expects to report a significant expansion in gross margins to more than 67 per cent (FY 2017: 62 per cent) driven by portfolio optimisation of both products and services. 

EBITDA before exceptional items is expected to be positive and ahead of market expectations. The group cash balance of not less than £25 million is also well ahead of expectations, as a result of higher gross margins, cost discipline and a focus on debtor collection.

Horizon announced in parallel that CFO Richard Vellacott, who filled the breach as interim CEO when Darrin Disley surprisingly left the business last year, had himself stepped down after seven years with the business. He is replaced by Jayesh who joined Horizon Discovery’s finance department in April 2018 in an interim CFO capacity as Vellacott covered Dr Disley’s absence.

Pankhania was previously group CFO of Xtera while previous leadership roles include deputy CFO of Asia Resource Minerals Plc, CFO of Planned Maintenance at Carillion Plc and CFO of Rail and Metro at Serco Plc. 

CEO Terry Pizzie said the second half of 2018 had seen the continued growth of Horizon into a more focused global, commercial and scalable business.

He said: “As gene editing continues to industrialise, and with an already strong order book for the first half of 2019, we are seeing increasing interest and demand for our products and unique scientific expertise. 

“With positive sales momentum and a strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to execute our invest for growth strategy to build a commanding share in all our chosen markets. We are confident in our growth prospects and look forward to reporting on our exciting progress.”

The group expects to announce its results on April 29.

The White Paper published on December 19 contains proposals for a new regime that will apply to EU nationals arriving in the UK after Brexit, writes Clare Hedges, senior associate and head of immigration law at Birketts LLP. 

The end of free movement means they will face new restrictions. However, rather than apply the current visa system as it is, the Government has suggested some amendments, to soften the impact. These changes would also affect non-EU nationals, who may find it slightly easier to work in the UK than they do now. 

These are just proposals. The points covered below are not yet in force and may be subject to change.

Temporary work

Headlines have focused on plans for a new temporary short-term work route. Migrants would be allowed to do any job (no minimum skill level or sponsorship required), but would be limited to 12 months in this category, followed by a 12 month cooling off period. 

This will help employers who rely on EU nationals to fill lower skilled roles. However it could also be used by highly skilled migrants. It is only a transitional measure, to give the economy time to adjust to a post-Brexit world. It will be fully reviewed by 2025 and may be suspended earlier depending on economic conditions. 

There would be restrictions on numbers. Visas would be required and application fees would increase incrementally each year.

Furthermore, “it will only be open to migrants from specified low-risk countries”. So although presented as “a system where it is workers’ skills that matter, not which country they come from”, that is not actually the case.

Migrants could move between employers during the year of their visa. This would protect them from abuse and encourage competition. However, there would be no right to bring dependants, settle in the UK or access public funds. Whilst this should suppress net migration and reduce the burden on local services, it may exacerbate integration problems.

Changes to Tier 2 skilled work

Tier 2 sponsors will be pleased with proposals to remove quotas for Tier 2 General visas and abolish the resident labour market test. As more employers will need to become sponsors the government says it will adopt a lighter touch and speed up visa processes. But it will continue to use cost (Immigration Skills Charge) to deter employers from recruiting migrants. 

Currently employers can only sponsor roles skilled to RQF level 6 or above (degree level). The proposal is to lower this to RQF level 3 (A level). 

On the face of it this will broaden the type and number of roles that can be sponsored. However, this is tempered by confirmation that there will be a minimum salary level for sponsorship. 

The Home Secretary suggests maintaining this at £30k, which rules out even some RQF level 6 jobs, especially outside London and in the public sector. 

Post-study work

The Government intends to improve post-study work rights for migrants who complete a degree in the UK. They would be allowed to work for 6 months post-Bachelors or Masters and 12 months post-PhD. Concessions which facilitate switching to Tier 2 work visas would also be expanded.

Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme

The Government wishes to add more countries (i.e. EU) to this scheme. This may help employers fill vacancies at all skill levels for up to 2 years.

Tier 5 Agricultural Workers Scheme

A small scale pilot has already started and will be reviewed before deciding if it should be expanded. 

Importance of Consultation

Any new system is not expected to come into force until 1 January 2021. The government wishes to spend a year consulting before laying new Immigration Rules.

It is essential that employers participate in this consultation, in particular regarding the minimum salary level for Tier 2 visas and the maximum duration and cooling off period applicable to temporary work visas. Otherwise there is a risk that promises to soften the rules will have little impact in practice.

birketts.co.uk/our-lawyers/cambridge/clare-hedges

A NASDAQ-quoted innovator of engineering simulation software based in Pittsburgh is buying University of Cambridge spin-out Granta Design. No sums have been disclosed for the acquisition.

Spun out of the UK university’s Department of Engineering in 1993, Granta Design provides materials information technology. 

Its IP is based on the work of Professor Michael Ashby (now emeritus) and Professor David Cebon and it has 180 employees.

Its products include GRANTA MI, the leading system for enterprise materials information management and CES Selector, which enables users to explore the impact that different materials have on the behaviour of their products. 

Granta also develops CES EduPack, the world’s leading teaching resource for materials topics in engineering, science, processing and design which is used by more than 1,000 universities worldwide. Granta’s customers include Airbus, General Motors, Emerson Electric, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Saudi Aramco and Rolls-Royce.

The acquisition expands ANSYS’ portfolio into a lucrative and impactful vertical market, giving customers access to material intelligence, including data that is critical to successful simulations.  The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019. 

With advances in the performance of metals, plastics and other materials, including innovations in areas such as composites and additive manufacturing, manufacturers have a wealth of material choices when developing products. At the same time, they require accurate, traceable and reliable materials information to make smart materials choices and to ensure simulation accuracy. 

With this acquisition, ANSYS customers can benefit from access to the world’s premier system for managing corporate material intelligence and the market-leading solution for materials sources, selection and management. 

Granta customers can expect even easier access to ANSYS’ gold-standard simulation technology. Granta will continue its open ecosystem, integrating with a wide range of leading product lifecycle management, CAD and computer-aided engineering solutions.

“Granta Design has pioneered the field of materials information technology,” said Shane Emswiler, ANSYS vice-president and general manager. 

“With materials engineering becoming an increasingly important aspect of product development, our customers require high-quality and comprehensive materials information for accurate simulation results. 

“Integrating Granta’s solutions into the ANSYS portfolio will provide a seamless user experience – and enable our customers to innovate like never before.”

David Cebon (pictured), co-founder and managing director of Granta Design, added: “For nearly 50 years, ANSYS has been the leader in engineering simulation. Combining that expertise with Granta’s decades of experience in material intelligence will help our customers make smarter decisions when developing their next-generation products.”

If you’ve ever seen a rocket launch, flown on an airplane, driven a car, used a computer, touched a mobile device, crossed a bridge or put on wearable technology, chances are you’ve used a product where ANSYS software played a critical role in its creation.

A NASDAQ-quoted innovator of engineering simulation software based in Pittsburgh is buying University of Cambridge spin-out Granta Design. No sums have been disclosed for the acquisition.

Spun out of the UK university’s Department of Engineering in 1993, Granta Design provides materials information technology. 

Its IP is based on the work of Professor Michael Ashby (now emeritus) and Professor David Cebon and it has 180 employees.

Its products include GRANTA MI, the leading system for enterprise materials information management and CES Selector, which enables users to explore the impact that different materials have on the behaviour of their products. 

Granta also develops CES EduPack, the world’s leading teaching resource for materials topics in engineering, science, processing and design which is used by more than 1,000 universities worldwide. Granta’s customers include Airbus, General Motors, Emerson Electric, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Saudi Aramco and Rolls-Royce.

The acquisition expands ANSYS’ portfolio into a lucrative and impactful vertical market, giving customers access to material intelligence, including data that is critical to successful simulations.  The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019. 

With advances in the performance of metals, plastics and other materials, including innovations in areas such as composites and additive manufacturing, manufacturers have a wealth of material choices when developing products. At the same time, they require accurate, traceable and reliable materials information to make smart materials choices and to ensure simulation accuracy. 

With this acquisition, ANSYS customers can benefit from access to the world’s premier system for managing corporate material intelligence and the market-leading solution for materials sources, selection and management. 

Granta customers can expect even easier access to ANSYS’ gold-standard simulation technology. Granta will continue its open ecosystem, integrating with a wide range of leading product lifecycle management, CAD and computer-aided engineering solutions.

“Granta Design has pioneered the field of materials information technology,” said Shane Emswiler, ANSYS vice-president and general manager. 

“With materials engineering becoming an increasingly important aspect of product development, our customers require high-quality and comprehensive materials information for accurate simulation results. 

“Integrating Granta’s solutions into the ANSYS portfolio will provide a seamless user experience – and enable our customers to innovate like never before.”

David Cebon (pictured), co-founder and managing director of Granta Design, added: “For nearly 50 years, ANSYS has been the leader in engineering simulation. Combining that expertise with Granta’s decades of experience in material intelligence will help our customers make smarter decisions when developing their next-generation products.”

If you’ve ever seen a rocket launch, flown on an airplane, driven a car, used a computer, touched a mobile device, crossed a bridge or put on wearable technology, chances are you’ve used a product where ANSYS software played a critical role in its creation.

A NASDAQ-quoted innovator of engineering simulation software based in Pittsburgh is buying University of Cambridge spin-out Granta Design. No sums have been disclosed for the acquisition.

Spun out of the UK university’s Department of Engineering in 1993, Granta Design provides materials information technology. 

Its IP is based on the work of Professor Michael Ashby (now emeritus) and Professor David Cebon and it has 180 employees.

Its products include GRANTA MI, the leading system for enterprise materials information management and CES Selector, which enables users to explore the impact that different materials have on the behaviour of their products. 

Granta also develops CES EduPack, the world’s leading teaching resource for materials topics in engineering, science, processing and design which is used by more than 1,000 universities worldwide. Granta’s customers include Airbus, General Motors, Emerson Electric, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Saudi Aramco and Rolls-Royce.

The acquisition expands ANSYS’ portfolio into a lucrative and impactful vertical market, giving customers access to material intelligence, including data that is critical to successful simulations.  The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019. 

With advances in the performance of metals, plastics and other materials, including innovations in areas such as composites and additive manufacturing, manufacturers have a wealth of material choices when developing products. At the same time, they require accurate, traceable and reliable materials information to make smart materials choices and to ensure simulation accuracy. 

With this acquisition, ANSYS customers can benefit from access to the world’s premier system for managing corporate material intelligence and the market-leading solution for materials sources, selection and management. 

Granta customers can expect even easier access to ANSYS’ gold-standard simulation technology. Granta will continue its open ecosystem, integrating with a wide range of leading product lifecycle management, CAD and computer-aided engineering solutions.

“Granta Design has pioneered the field of materials information technology,” said Shane Emswiler, ANSYS vice-president and general manager. 

“With materials engineering becoming an increasingly important aspect of product development, our customers require high-quality and comprehensive materials information for accurate simulation results. 

“Integrating Granta’s solutions into the ANSYS portfolio will provide a seamless user experience – and enable our customers to innovate like never before.”

David Cebon (pictured), co-founder and managing director of Granta Design, added: “For nearly 50 years, ANSYS has been the leader in engineering simulation. Combining that expertise with Granta’s decades of experience in material intelligence will help our customers make smarter decisions when developing their next-generation products.”

If you’ve ever seen a rocket launch, flown on an airplane, driven a car, used a computer, touched a mobile device, crossed a bridge or put on wearable technology, chances are you’ve used a product where ANSYS software played a critical role in its creation.

Whilst 2018 was a year of huge uncertainty with regards to the political and economic landscape across the globe, many may feel it was one of great success when reflecting on the Life Sciences sector in the region, writes Tony Jones, CEO of One Nucleus. 

Such successes laid the foundations of what could be the tipping point of when the anticipated advances in fields such as genomics, AI and Machine Learning, digital health and engineering deliver the patient outcomes and investor returns envisaged over the past decade or more.

The region has been at the forefront of Precision Medicine approaches since the concept emerged as ‘stratified medicine’ many (super) moons ago, yet despite much expectation one could argue it has yet to deliver for all stakeholders. So why does it feel we are now closer than ever to achieving those goals?

Commitment to investing in critical research-based initiatives such as those developed by the Wellcome Genome Campus and the many world-class biomedical research institutions across the region, has anchored progress in the field here. 

The exciting news that the 100,000 Genomes Project had sequenced that number of whole genomes within the NHS was another clear exemplification of the collective desire of Government, NHS and private sector partners to use our understanding in science to improve lives. Innovating to change the world is in the DNA of the scientists, business leaders and investors in the region and that attracts great minds, capital and support from further afield who wish to enable and share in such success. 

Advances in fields such as data science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, diagnostics, robotics, protein engineering and the microbiome are seeing that Eastern promise progress ever closer to delivery. 

Major investments and corporate deals into businesses small and large over the past years have seen well in excess of £2 billion of private capital pour into the cluster. 

Whether collaborations secured by companies such as Microbiotica’s with Genentech, Mission Therapeutics with Abbvie and Crescendo Biologics with Takeda or the significant financing events by CMR Surgical, Artios or Acacia Therapeutics, there are numerous signs of the maturing asset and company pipeline in the cluster. 

Yet further evidence, if any were needed, emerged that whilst the region is highly inventive and entrepreneurial, the cluster is about much more than early stage research and spin-outs – now having a comprehensive portfolio of opportunity in which to engage.  

It would perhaps be remiss not to mention the ‘B’ word. Boston, together with Cambridge, Massachusetts is the envy of many and seen as the benchmark by which any Life Science cluster is measured. 

It is clear there is a gap to close still, but it could be argued that it is a similar comprehensive portfolio of opportunity that has rendered Boston so attractive to capital and the large Pharma seeking to populate their investment and development pipelines, respectively. 

A continuing supportive Government policy and investment strategy are clearly a requirement to increase the innovation capacity of any leading cluster. This has been evident in Massachusetts and, in no small way due to the MPs in our region, has also been the case across the East of England. 

Public sector alone, however, cannot fund a maturing pipeline of advanced therapeutics, precision medicines and health technologies. It is pleasing to see how the long-term public support has made the cluster attractive to private capital – the above deals being examples of just how attractive. 

Whilst the uncertainties around Brexit continue, with parliamentarians not yet showing themselves to be as adept at collaboration, compromise and dealmaking as our Life Science leaders, I still believe that we are poised for a very positive year. 

The Cell & Gene Therapy catapult recently highlighted how the Advanced Therapy pipeline has expanded; the corresponding Manufacturing Centre being located at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst driving growth is just one example of how innovative medicines are starting to come of age. 

Another is the exciting progress by rare disease companies such as Cambridge-based Healx, who will now be able to harness and apply the benefit of genomics and AI to benefit hitherto under-served patient groups. 

As a final example, the additional understanding of the microbiome as it relates to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutics that will arise from institutions such as the Quadram Institute and their neighbours in Norwich, will enable future health and wellbeing advances as well as precision medicine development. 

Whilst Cambridge remains the jewel in the cluster’s crown, it is evident how the wider region combines to advance scientific understanding, increase our innovation capacity and attract global investment into new treatments and health technologies. 

In terms of One Nucleus, we are very proud to be based here and will be championing, connecting and supporting the region wherever possible. Leveraging our investment in a new website and contact management system we will continue our work with a focus on bringing together great science and technology, talent and investment through our events, online portal and collaborations. 

Discovering new medicines has always been challenging, yet persistence, creativity and dealing with regulatory change are common characteristics among researchers, entrepreneurs and their investors so I feel our sector is well placed to face any challenge. 

The maturing development pipeline, the positive mood music that we’ll see active M & A and perhaps IPO traffic through 2019 for investors and the continuing advancement in the areas of science that were only recently in their infancy, lends me to believe we are indeed on the cusp of delivering on that promise.

https://onenucleus.com/