Haemostatix, a biopharmaceutical development company that was formed in 2003 as a Spin-Out from the University of Leicester, has received £1.24m from investors Spark Ventures, Catapult and NESTA.
The investment will enable Haemostatix to continue to develop HaemoPlax*, a synthetic platelet substitute designed to replace platelets currently obtained from blood donation. Donor platelets, given by transfusion, assist in blood clotting and are currently used to treat cancer and surgical patients at risk from severe bleeding.
Professor Alison Goodall, a member of the academic staff of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Leicester, and co-founder and CSO of the company, said “there is a real clinical need for a platelet substitute as donor platelets are expensive to produce, have a very short shelf life, and need to be screened to remove the risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses that cause Hepatitis and HIV. HaemoPlax* has shown very promising results in pre-clinical studies and that the company is on track to take HaemoPlax* into clinical trials.”
The company moved its operation to Nottingham Biocity in 2007 and in March 2008 appointed a new CEO, Ben Nichols. Ben brings many years of experience in the commercialization and licensing of new technologies and products in the bio-pharma industry including a Sheffield University spin-out, Plasso Technology Ltd, where he helped the company to realize a trade sale exit.
Sarah Middleton, former CEO and co-founder of Haemostatix will become Chief Technical Officer. Sarah commented that “the strategy at Haemostatix is to innovate and demonstrate proof of principle, then out-license to major pharmaceutical companies who will complete clinical development”.
The investors commented “Haemostatix is a dynamic young company driving forward an innovative product that promises to change lives. We are excited to follow our original funding and look forward to working with them as the business continues to develop.”
For further information please contact:
Ben Nichols, Haemostatix Ltd
+44 (0)115 912 4510
Alison Goodall, University of Leicester
+44 (0)116 256 3026
