An NHS spinout will be spotlighting its world-leading innovation in stroke treatment after being selected to showcase the breakthrough technology during a prestigious UK trade mission to India

Biopharmaceutical company Aurum Biosciences will be furthering its global growth ambitions when it joins a Department for Business and Trade (DBT) visit from 16-19 February, encouraging fresh international connections through events, round table meetings, and pitching opportunities.

One focus of the trip will be the chance to engage global pharma companies and potential investors at the BioAsia 2026 Summit in Hyderabad, considered to be “Asia's foremost life sciences and healthcare event”.

Aurum CEO David Brennan and CSO/CMO Dr Celestine Santosh will meet with some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies during their time in India, including USV Pharma, Lupin, and Cipla.

Last year, the UK and India signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aimed at significantly boosting bilateral trade by an estimated £25.5 billion annually.

Described by the UK Government as “the best deal that any country has ever agreed with India,” it reduces tariffs on 90% of goods, benefitting UK medical exports and streamlining regulations for pharmaceutical trade — a major boost for Aurum.

A spinout of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, InnoScot Health, and the University of Glasgow, Aurum continues to develop a novel drug for therapeutics and multiple diagnostics in significant areas of unmet clinical need including acute stroke.

The Glasgow-based company recognises that only about 10% of patients suffering from acute stroke — the world’s second biggest killer and leading cause of disability — are able to access current therapeutics, significantly impacting their outcomes in time-critical situations.

Aurum’s patented ABL-101 platform technology has the potential to dramatically change that for the overwhelming 90% of patients currently missing out during emergencies through its promise to help treat the stroke-related oxygen deprivation which can quickly cause brain damage.

During Aurum’s visit to India — taking in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad — the company aims to connect with partners who can help scale the company’s operations and further advance ABL-101.

Aurum says that for every minute of ischemic stroke, 1.9 million neurons and 14 billion synapses are lost, but ABL-101 — an injectable oxygen carrier that is up to 45 times smaller than red blood cells — can bypass the blockage or move through collateral vessels when red blood cells cannot.

It can also work as an acute stroke diagnostic, identifying salvageable tissues, and when used in conjunction with specialised MRI techniques, can visualise regions of inflammation.

ABL-101, which is being manufactured in India, has undergone significant pre-clinical development and has completed early phase 1 and 2a human studies. Phase 2 trials in stroke and inflammation imaging are planned this year, underlining its huge promise.

Dr Brennan said: “It’s a huge privilege to be selected to represent both Scotland and the UK on this prestigious trade mission, including the chance to showcase our innovation-led approach to treating major global health issues through ABL-101.

“We consider the trip to be a vital platform for accelerating our ambitions amid India’s ever-growing hub of expertise by introducing our technology to investors and exploring licensing partnerships.

“We’re further excited by the potential opportunities afforded by the UK-India trade deal, encouraging confidence and security while tapping into India’s rapid growth.”

Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson said: “We welcome Aurum’s diligence in continuing to exploit international platforms for engaging others in sharing its vision.

“ABL-101 offers so much potential — and that will only be further enhanced with the right network of partners. The DBT trade mission is vital to making those connections which can turn promising innovations into tangible realities for better patient outcomes.”