 |
Industry partners
The APC has two active industry partners who collaborate in a very meaningful way with APC researchers, Alimentary Health Ltd and GlaxoSmithKline plc. There are Industry Steering Committees for both partners which meet quarterly to steer the collaborative research programmes and assess progress.
Stemming from these industry partnerships and demonstrating the successful interactions, the APC, Alimentary Health and GSK are subsequently all involved in an EU Framework 7 project, called IPODD, to investigate proteases in the gut. The APC also has research collaborations with other Irish SMEs, as well with multinational companies, in the food, pharma and biotech sectors. APC researchers also carry out contract research for a number of industries.
Alimentary Health Ltd.
Alimentary Health is a development stage specialty biotechnology company located in Ireland. The company is focused on the discovery, development and commercialisation of proprietary probiotic and pharmabiotic treatments for gastrointestinal disorders and other inflammatory conditions. Alimentary Health is the foundation industry partner in the APC, having being involved since the APC foundation in 2003.
There are a number of AH researchers collaborating with the APC and embedded in APC research labs. Alimentary Health recently licenced anti-microbial technology from the APC,that has demonstrated anti- Clostridium difficile activity.
“The APC has provided the platform to further develop AH’s research capability, well beyond what AH can achieve on its own. The research environment and facilities provided by APC have proven a fertile environment for AH scientists to develop their own research programmes whilst also working with APC scientists in new, cutting edge areas of research”. Dr Barry Kiely, CEO, Alimentary Health Ltd
GlaxoSmithKlineplc
GSK became research partners in the APC in 2006, with a 5 year collaborative project to investigate inflammatory conditions, which involved an investment of €10.2million. There are 21 staff based at the APC involved in the collaboration, including 4 GSK scientists who are embedded in the APC. The APC collaborates very closely with scientists at the EpiNova DPU at GSK, and is facilitating GSK in developing new therapeutic molecules. There have been a number of collaborative research publications. This project is grant aided by IDA Ireland.
“In a lengthy worldwide search of GI industrial and academic institutions conducted by GSK in an attempt to identify the most appropriate body for partnership, the APC emerged as the clear leader, based on scientific expertise, complementary technology, track record of successful industrial collaboration, access to clinical populations, productivity and availability of critical mass.” Dr Kevin Lee, Head of EpiNova DPU, Immuno-Inflammation Centre of Excellence in Drug Discovery and Vice President, GlaxoSmithKline plc
To view GSK’s research interests for academic collaborations visit http://www.gsk.com/collaborations/academic.htm
| Biosciences Institute University College Cork Ireland email: apc@ucc.ie |
Moorepark Food Research Centre Teagasc, Fermoy, Co. Cork Ireland |
 |
 |