A biotechnology company is close to getting initial results of patient trials back for a range of new therapies for inflammatory and allergic diseases – with Discovery Park at the heart of its success.
Ziarco moved into Discovery Park in April, after an expansion that has seen the venture funded business grow from a team of four to 12, with five staff added since re-locating from its previous Canterbury base. It also calls on a number of external advisors when required.
The company, which launched in 2012, has used the space to continue developing drugs for the treatment of inflammatory and dermatological diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Clinical trials are underway and initial data is expected during 2016. The company aims to complete further clinical trials with both of its two main compounds with data expected during 2017.
The team’s roles cover drug development as well company management and supporting roles. Five staff have been hired since the move to Discovery Park from Ziarco’s previous Canterbury office.
CEO Mike Yeadon was formerly the Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer for Pfizer’s Allergy & Respiratory Research Unit at Sandwich, where he helped with the discovery and development of oral and inhaled new chemical entities (NCEs) for a range of respiratory diseases.
Chief Development Officer, Dr Lynn Purkins believes Discovery Park offers the best environment for the company’s needs. She said: “We were impressed by the development of the park since 2012 and the number of successful businesses that have joined the site.
“Discovery Park offers us room to grow and a lot of our neighbouring companies have skills and facilities we can work with to further establish the business.”
Lynn is positive about Ziarco’s shared mission with their Discovery Park partners. She continued: “We recognised that there were a number of potential life sciences and supporting facilities companies which Ziarco could work with in addition to our existing commercial relationships.”
Anna Stone, Leasing Director, Discovery Park said: “Ziarco is a dynamic company set to bring about some exciting advances in medical science and we are pleased to welcome them on site.
“As one of 24 UK Enterprise Zones we encourage collaboration amongst all our tenants, so we’re delighted to hear that this was a key factor in the company locating to Discovery Park.”