PalindromX - a brief history
PalindromX Limited is a University of Liverpool (UoL) spin-out company founded in 2001 by three current or former UoL academics who are still Directors of the company:
|
w
|
Prof. Bill Fraser, Honorary Consultant, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
|
|
w
|
Prof. Jim Gallagher, Head of the Department, Human Anatomy & Cell Biology (HACB), University of Liverpool.
|
|
w
|
Dr. David McCreavy, Chief Scientist.
|
The founders recognised a need to improve significantly the performance characteristics of existing immunoassay-based clinical assays by significantly reducing limits of detection and improving their analytical range as well as improving the quality and consistency of the antibodies they use. Equity funding for start-up and initial feasibility studies was initially provided by the directors and a trade partner, Immuno Diagnostic Systems Limited (IDS, Newcastle. UK). The CEO of IDS, Dr. Roger Duggan, remains a director of the company and all of the directors play an active part in the development of the business. The company receives revenues from its leading-edge bone resorption testing services and has a strong intellectual property portfolio.
Current Activities
Bone resorption: PalindromX has for some years offered a contract testing service for bone resorption studies and the current management team are actively pursuing opportunities to offer the company’s unique experience to pharmaceutical companies active in this important therapeutic marketplace.
Immunoassay technologies: Additional working capital has recently been received from the Merseyside Special Investments Fund to complete the proof of principle studies necessary to attract potential licensees for the company’s patented lead technology, a super-sensitive immunoassay technique based on the principles of immuno-PCR.
A strong scientific team, led by Dr. McCreavy and the main bench scientist, Dr. Andrew Preston, who has extensive experience of biochemical conjugation and immunoassay development and validation, is currently perfecting and thoroughly documenting the company’s super-sensitive, multiplexed immunoassay techniques. The team also includes Prof. Gallagher and Dr. Peter Wilson of the UoL HACB department and Phil Goodwin, FIFST, Ch. Sci. who has extensive experience of product development in the clinical IVD and food testing sectors.
Future Plans
In future it is planned to offer the company’s immunoassay-related technologies to a significant player in the clinical IVD marketplace in order to incorporate the PdX technologies into routine clinical laboratory practice in return for ongoing royalties. It is also hoped to increase turnover by expanding the company’s bone resorption services and offering them to a wider marketplace as well as to further PdX’ research in DNA vaccination in order to benefit long-term from the related intellectual property.
