Gaining funding to support further trials of Actiphage and to set up new laboratories in Suffolk is a priority for this growing international company. Reaching the next round of the East of England Investment Catalyst is therefore an exciting development.
PBD Biotech CEO, Mark Hammond, comments: “We are actively fundraising at the moment and the international market potential of Actiphage is attracting significant interest. However, our roots are in Suffolk and we intend to stay and grow here so gaining support from the team behind the East of England Investment Catalyst is important to us.”
PBD Bitoech is part of the final cohort for the inaugural Investment Catalyst programme, joining ten other firms from across East Anglia. Linn Clabburn, programme director of the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor, which has organised the Investment Catalyst, said: “There were some fantastic applications for the East of England Investment Catalyst, so shortlisting was not an easy task.
“We believe these eleven companies embody the best the region’s business scene has to offer, and look forward to working with them over the coming weeks.”
Award-winning PBD Biotech has secured European and American patents, and its Actiphage test can be used in England under the Department for Environment’s Exceptional Private Use protocol for cattle herds chronically infected with TB. The Animal Health Laboratory within the Colorado Department of Agriculture is also currently trialling Actiphage.
Following multiple successful proof of concept studies, the firm is now looking for funding and partnerships to proceed with validation of the technology.
Mark continues: “PBD Biotech is establishing a growing reputation as a global leader in mycobacterial diagnostics, and is building a community of individuals and organisations with a commitment to overcoming bovine TB, human TB and Johne’s disease and would encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch.”
