4th June 2014

New Company Established to Develop Novel Diagnostics for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

An innovative new company developing novel diagnostics for respiratory disease has been established as a spin-out from Swansea University. Glyconics uses technology developed at the Centre for NanoHealth at Swansea University by Dr Paul Lewis and is led by diagnostic industry entrepreneur, Dr Berwyn Clarke.

The Glyconics technology uses Infrared Spectroscopy to analyse the composition of sputum and preliminary data shows that it is possible to identify a spectrum of biomarkers that are a signature for COPD patients allowing them to be differentiated from other respiratory pathologies. It also appears likely that the same technology may be able to provide a very early indication of exacerbating disease in these patients.

To date, Glyconics has secured a contract from SBRI Healthcare, to conduct a 6-month feasibility and validation study on the clinical performance of the technology with a view to larger clinical validation studies towards the end of 2014.

The SBRI contract has also enabled the company to develop a hand-held, miniaturised FTIR device with a proprietary interpretation tool that can be used for easy detection and monitoring by healthcare workers at the point-of-care. The availability of this portable low-cost device would offer the opportunity to transform clinical management of this distressing disease.

Dr Berwyn Clarke, CEO of Glyconics is an industry veteran having been a founder and CSO at Lab21 until 2012 and previously with Virco, Visible Genetics and Bayer Diagnostics. He commented: “As a growing global problem, there is an increasing clinical need for an effective, accurate and cost-effective COPD diagnostic tool. Through its novel and innovative technology, Glyconics is well placed to meet a significant unmet clinical need, and successfully exploit a growing commercial opportunity.”

COPD, a growing health problem, is currently significantly under-diagnosed, with around only 50 per cent of sufferers properly diagnosed. Within the next seven years COPD is predicted to be the third leading cause of death worldwide and the fifth commonest cause of disability. In the UK, COPD is estimated to affect some 6 million people causing 24 million working days to be lost, at a cost of nearly £4bn per year from reduced productivity and is responsible for more than 25,000 deaths annually.

For further information, contact:
Dr Nanette Bartram
+44 (0) 7793 554791
Nanette@glyconics.com