Breakthrough stroke technology
Developing novel therapeutics and diagnostics in areas of unmet clinical need
Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) is a leading global cause of disability and the second leading cause of death. In Scotland, the impact of AIS is significant. According to statistics from Public Health Scotland, a total of 10,803 Scottish residents had a final diagnosis of stroke in 2023. Of those, 85% (9,182) were ischemic.
Improving the lives of patients suffering from AIS is vital and using technology originally developed within the Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology at the University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, potential new treatments are being accelerated through NHS spinout Aurum Biosciences.
Aurum Biosciences
A 2015 spinout of InnoScot Health, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and the University of Glasgow, Aurum Biosciences is a clinical stage biopharmaceuticals company developing novel therapeutics and diagnostics in areas of unmet clinical need. Its patented ABL-101 platform technology represents the first major advancement in the management of acute stroke patients in more than two decades.
It not only delivers oxygen to brain tissue under stress beyond the clot in the critical hours following stroke, but further provides acute stroke diagnostics and helps to identify treatable brain tissue. This could save lives and lead to better outcomes for stroke survivors around the world. Future development of ABL-101 is also being explored in other high need clinical areas including cardiology, oncology, inflammatory conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Continued partnership
InnoScot Health has been part of the Aurum Biosciences journey since inception — educating its scientists in the process of spinning out a company, offering critical commercial advice to complement clinical developments, and supporting ongoing company growth. This includes playing a key role in:
- Securing initial investment of £1 million from investors and the Scottish Co-investment fund, which was critical to Aurum Biosciences’ inception
- Securing valuable local and ongoing investment from the Scottish Co-investment fund totalling over £700k
- Providing expertise that enabled Aurum Biosciences to obtain a £1.8 million Convertible Loan Agreement from the Wellcome Trust
- Supporting a growing portfolio of intellectual property protection for the diagnostic technology, which Aurum Biosciences is developing for use in acute stroke patients
- Positively positioning Aurum Biosciences developments through national, trade press and event opportunities
Impact
Aurum Biosciences has the potential to deliver a wide spectrum of health, social, and economic benefits. The lead product ABL-101 has been recognised by the United Kingdom’s Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) — a gateway to accelerate innovative products to market thereby improving patient access to important new treatments. The expansion to new indications is accompanied by impending growth opportunities in European and US markets, which represent key areas for grant funding and new investment.
InnoScot Health continues to sit on the board and is a sustained investor in the company, supporting exciting growth aims which will not only benefit patients in Scotland but around the world.
InnoScot Health played an absolutely critical role in the company’s early days by educating our scientists in the process of spinning out a company, being involved in all key discussions, and continuing to play a very active role to this day.
David Brennan, CEO, Aurum Biosciences
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