Collagen company chosen for medical research
COLLAGEN Solutions, which manufactures medical-grade collagen products in Glasgow, has been selected to take part in a European research project aimed at developing novel treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
The Alternative Investment Market-listed company said that it would, as a key member of the research consortium, “receive significant funding to develop various types of medical-grade collagens for investigation” over the duration of the project.
Shares in Collagen Solutions, which has a 6,500 sq ft manufacturing operation at the former Devro collagen-making site on the edge of Glasgow, rose by 0.5p, or 4.5 per cent, to 11.5p.
The research project is being led by CURAM, the Centre for Research in Medical Devices, based at the National University of Ireland, Galway, which has secured €4 million (£2.9m) in funding through the European Horizon 2020 grant programme. The project is entitled Development of biomaterial-based delivery systems for Parkinson’s disease – an integrated, pan-European approach.
Collagen Solutions said the project was aimed at facilitating collaboration between world-class researchers and industry partners to develop the first disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s that could “slow down the progression of the disease, rather than offering mere symptomatic benefits”.
Chief executive officer Stewart White said: “Collagen Solutions is delighted to be part of such an esteemed consortium working on developing new therapies for such a devastating condition.
“I believe our shared success as part of the consortium provides further validation of the company’s reputation for developing ... consistent, high-quality, medical-grade collagen products. Our R&D [research and development] capabilities, global reach, and state-of-theart manufacturing facilities in Scotland and New Zealand make us an obvious partner for this exciting project.”
CURAM director Abhay Pandit said: “Collagen Solutions’ ability to source, develop and manufacture collagen components for therapeutic use will be critical in meeting the requirements.”