New lung cancer research backed by investment

University of York spinout company, Cizzle Biotechnology, has secured venture capital funding from the White Rose Technology Seedcorn Fund to continue its development of a potential new diagnostic test and treatment for lung cancer.

The finance will enable Cizzle to progress its research into a potential new method of diagnosing and treating lung cancer, based on the discovery of the role that the protein Ciz 1 appears to play in triggering DNA replication and cell growth. As cancer is associated with abnormal cell growth, the Cizzle team ultimately hope to confirm that blocking the actions of this protein will prevent tumours from occurring or slow down the growth of existing tumours.

The company is based on the research of Dr Dawn Coverley (right) , Lister Research Fellow in the School of Biology at the University of York, and her collaborator Dr Justin Ainscough. She says:

“Our research shows that Ciz 1 plays a role in initiation of DNA replication, and recent evidence suggests that this role is disrupted in lung cancer cells. We aim to target the disrupted form of Ciz1 to generate a completely new and selective way of both diagnosing and treating small cell lung cancers. Current chemotherapies restrain the growth of all cells in the body and therefore have poorly tolerated side effects, but what we are trying to do is target the lung cancer cells specifically.”

Lung cancers are the second most common form of cancer in the West but are the most common cause of cancer death. Small cell lung cancers, associated with cigarette smoking, account for 25 per cent of all lung cancers. Cizzle plans to develop a diagnostic test and therapy to combat this specific cancer, filling a significant gap in this market. It is also possible that this technology may be applicable to other cancers.

Coverley, whose work in this area was supported by the Yorkshire Forward Bioscience Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship scheme (BYEF) will become Chief Scientific Officer. Simon Ward, an experienced bioscience entrepreneur who set up Sheffield biotech company Molecular Skincare Ltd, then oversaw its merger into AIM listed York Pharma was Coverley's mentor during her time within the BYEF programme. Ward will provide consultancy services to the company.

Dr Joe Wiley, Fund Manager of the White Rose Technology Seedcorn Fund said:

“This is an excellent opportunity to support a home grown company involved in new and truly innovative cancer therapy. In deciding whether to invest, we look for world class research, a committed and experienced management team and a strong market opportunity. Cizzle Biotechnology has all of these in abundance. The potential benefits to the medical sector are enormous and we are pleased to be able to support Cizzle's research and development.”

For further information, please contact:

Dr Dawn Coverley, Cizzle Biotechnology: Tel: 01904 328664, email dc17@york.ac.uk

Dr Joe Wiley, WRTSF: Tel: 0113 242 2644, email joe.wiley@aberdeen-asset.com

Notes for editors

About White Rose Technology Seedcorn Fund
The White Rose Technology Seedcorn Fund (WRTSF) is an early stage seedcorn fund, which invests in exciting new technology emerging from the Universities of York, Leeds and Sheffield. The £9m Fund provides venture capital funding of up to £500,000 to help growing companies with management input, advice and experience and bring an investor's viewpoint to bear at an early stage. WRTSF provides investment to enable the transition from promising research work to commercial reality. The Fund invests in companies with exciting growth potential, protectable IP and committed management teams. WRTSF is owned by the Universities of York, Leeds and Sheffield, and managed by Aberdeen Asset Managers Private Equity. For more information: www.whiteroseseedcorn.com

Yorkshire Forward Bioscience Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship scheme (BYEF)
The Bioscience Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship scheme is designed for qualified graduates and post-docs who want to create a business based on their research. The Fellowship provides a range of practical and pragmatic support to commercialise and progress the Enterprise Fellows' ideas and research findings. The goal of the scheme is to increase entrepreneurial activity in Yorkshire universities' bioscience departments and to accelerate and support the formation of start up bioscience businesses.

The Fellows are fully supported by the Scheme - and by their host University - to progress the development of their science into a commercial enterprise. This can take up to 12 months, during which time the Fellow works as part of the extended Fellowship. Mandatory entrepreneurship and business skills training is complemented by a menu of events, seminars and masterclasses. Financial support totals £30,000 per Fellow. This is made up of a £15,000 research grant and a £15,000 commercial support grant, plus an optional £10,000 interest free loan from HSBC bank repayable from year two. The funds are managed jointly by the scheme managers and by the Fellow, and are drawn down as agreed milestones are met.

17 July 2006