Biotech spin-out based at Norwich Research Park produces plant proteins for novel anti-cancer drugs and anti-infectives
Growth
Norwich grows a new Leaf
Biotech spin-out based at Norwich Research Park produces plant proteins for novel anti-cancer drugs and anti-infectives
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Biotech spin-out Leaf Systems International Ltd was launched on Norwich Research Park . The Park is home to over 12,000 people including 70 + companies , 3,000 researchers and clinicians with an annual research spend of over £ 100 million . Leaf Systems will enjoy the benefits of being housed in a newly constructed 1,000 sq m state-of-the-art building in one of Europe ’ s largest single-site concentrations of research in the emerging multi-billion-pound food , health and life science sectors .
NURTURING BIOSCIENCE One of the Park ’ s key objectives is to nurture bioscience business ventures established as spin-outs from research facilities based at Norwich Research Park – Leaf Systems International is a prime example of the new breed .
Leaf Systems is a spin-out company built on the world-leading UK bioscience research that takes place at the John Innes Centre . The science underpinning the firm was developed with BBSRC investment and its creators , Professor George Lomonossoff and Dr Frank Sainsbury , won the BBSRC Innovator of the Year award in 2012 .
The opening of the Leaf Systems facility represents the culmination of many years of research by Professor Lomonossoff and colleagues into fundamental virology . “ There is something rather magical about seeing these efforts being translated into the formation of a company , the construction of a building and the potential for great impact ," said Professor Lomonossoff .
PRODUCING PLANT PROTEINS
Leaf Systems use a novel efficient , safe and simple system – Hypertrans ® – to quickly produce proteins in plants such as vaccines , antibodies or enzymes . The proteins can then be extracted through crushing the leaves and purifying the product .
The speed of the system means that it can rapidly produce large amounts of protein and so is well suited to rapidly responding to emergencies like pandemics . Other potential uses include producing many proteins at the same time and so creating new biochemical pathways for producing complex ‘ bioactive ’ molecules such as novel anti-cancer drugs and anti-infectives . ■
64 | UKSPA breakthrough | SPRING 2017