YProtech, the fast growing contract research organisation (CRO) focused on niche chemistry based services, has installed a high potency facility for the synthesis and manufacture of highly potent cytotoxins for applications in cancer treatment.

Tom Screen, CTO of YProtech commented, ‘The new facility is now open and we look forward to serving our existing clients and new companies being attracted to Alderley Park. As the high potency business growth is established we also look to the next expansion and offering GMP toxin services.’

YProtech relocated to Alderley Park, Cheshire in May 2015 and the installation of a high potency facility marks the second phase of their expansion strategy. The expansion enables YProtech to offer dedicated chemistry services for the non-GMP synthesis and manufacture of cytotoxic compounds on multigram scale to support pre-clinical development in the pharma and biotech sectors. The facility includes a clean room with isolator for the handling and isolation of cytotoxins, dedicated high containment chemistry laboratory with multiple fume cupboards for the synthesis of cytotoxins, automated purification capability and access to LCMS and NMR for compound analysis.

In addition, a catalogue of cytotoxins and linkers are available to buy directly from YProtech. These cytotoxins can be tailored to individual customer’s needs, i.e. functionalised with linkers of choice and ready for subsequent bioconjugation with antibodies, proteins etc. The addition of a dedicated cGMP high containment facility for manufacture and supply of up to 100gs of cytotoxins to support clinical trials will follow in twelve to eighteen months.

The new capabilities add to YProtech’s current chemistry services portfolio which include contract research, custom synthesis, targeted library preparation, intellectual property development, chemical process optimisation & scale-up and project/supply chain management to support pre-clinical drug discovery from milligrams to kilo scale.

Pete Jackson, Chairman of YProtech commented, ‘This expansion demonstrates YProtech’s commitment to building a specialised chemistry service business responsive to the needs of our customers, backed by our very supportive investors and in a world class location al Alderley Park.’

The investment in new facilities has been made possible following investment arranged recently by the Company’s advisers, Acceleris Capital.

Simon Thorn of Acceleris commented, “We have been impressed by the professional approach and high quality service offering that YProtech are able to offer customers. The move to Alderley Park has resulted in significantly increased visibility of the Company and the pipeline is growing. This investment into such a niche service offering is the next step for the Company in being able to differentiate itself from other providers.”

Ned Wakeman, BioHub Director commented, “I am impressed by the growth of YProtech since they moved to the BioHub and this expansion of their offering into a high growth market is exciting. Alderley Park has a long history of oncology research and it is fitting that it be continued by YProtech and other BioHub companies.”