New class of coagulant gets go ahead for clinical

Haemostatix Ltd announced today that it has received authorisation from the UK regulator, MHRA, to commence a clinical trial of its lead product, PeproStat™.  PeproStat is the first of a new class of peptide-based coagulant, or “haemostat”, designed to control bleeding during surgery. 

Haemostats are used to limit blood loss; to maintain a clear surgical field and to reduce operating time. The leading product on the market is the enzyme thrombin with sales of over $US 1 billion. Thrombin is typically extracted from human donor or bovine blood, and many formulations require preparation prior to use, a disadvantage in surgery if urgent action is required.

Haemostatix’s product, PeproStat, is designed to address these limitations with a ready-to-use liquid formulation manufactured from blood-free ingredients. In addition, pre-clinical studies indicate that PeproStat has a faster mode of action compared to thrombin, clearly an advantage when controlling bleeding. The technology behind PeproStat is based on a short peptide sequence that binds to the patient’s own blood-clotting protein fibrinogen in situ, to form a fibrin-like clot.

The clinical trial will take place at three major hospitals in the UK and is scheduled to complete by the end of 2014. The trial will involve liver surgery patients, and will include an assessment of efficacy.

Dr. Ben Nichols, CEO of Haemostatix, commented that PeproStat offered potential benefits to both patients and surgical teams, and will be a highly competitive alternative to thrombin. He also added that demand for haemostats was growing, and that recent product and company acquisitions were creating new opportunities in the market.

Haemostatix is based at BioCity, Nottingham in the UK, and is backed by venture capital funds including Spark Ventures, Albion Ventures, Catapult Venture Managers, NESTA, Lachesis and Esperante, as well as the Wellcome Trust.

The Company has also recently received a grant from Nottingham Technology Grant Fund (N’Tech) to accelerate and extend its R&D programme. Dr Nichols commented that N’Tech was an excellent vehicle to support the re-emergence of the pharmaceutical sector in the area. N’Tech, supported by the Regional Growth Fund, forms part of the Nottingham Growth Plan, an ambitious blueprint for strengthening the city’s economy.

The Growth Plan comprises a suite of business support products, from equity funding and start-up loans to development programmes and free support with recruitment and training-aimed at helping local companies to flourish and bring further employment to the city.

ENDS

For further information please contact Haemostatix Ltd , Dr Ben Nichols, CEO ,  Tel: 07 747 714 204

For further press information please contact Kathryn Greenwood or Isabel Jones at the Nottingham Growth Plan Press Office on 0115 958 8850 email nottinghamgrowth@edenpr.co.uk @growingnottm 

Notes to Editors

About the Regional Growth Fund The Regional Growth Fund is a £3.2 billion fund designed to help companies in England to grow and supports projects and programmes committed to deliver sustainable jobs and economic growth. A sixth round will be launched in summer.

For more information, please go to www.bis.gov.uk/rgf.

About N’Tech

The Nottingham Technology Grant Fund (N’Tech) is part of the £50 million Nottingham Prospectus, the city’s package to attract further investment to boostNottingham’s economy. The Nottingham Prospectus is part of the Nottingham Growth Plan a single source access point for all the financial and business support available for investors in the city. N’Tech’s grants are funded solely through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

Nottingham City Council put a case together to access the funding, which is now helping to grow the businesses ofNottingham.

Nottingham City Council has secured Regional Growth Fund for the grants to help fast track the development plans of businesses based in the city, with awards of £20,000 and £1 million per successful company given to support business growth and expansion.  Geared towards the growing life science, digital content and clean technology industries, the N’Tech fund is run by Nottingham City Council and was launched on 1st April 2013.   The programme is focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Greater Nottingham area to support business growth and expansion.

For more information on these programmes contact businessgrowth@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.