NETPark based ReViral wins multi-million investment for pioneering drug
A PIONEERING biotechnology firm will start the next phase of clinical trials of its antiviral drug early next year after winning US$55 million from US and European investors.
ReViral, which has a research facility at the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield, County Durham, won its latest round of funding following a successful human trial of its highly potent drug, RV521, at the Queen Mary Bioinnovation Centre in London.
The drug combats Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – a virus which is highly dangerous in those with compromised immune systems, such as young children and the elderly. It has caused an estimated 200,000 deaths worldwide annually in children under five alone and there are currently no RSV therapies available.
Former Durham University lecturer, Dr Stuart Cockerill, and his former colleagues at Arrow Therapeutics combined their expertise in the areas of virology and antiviral therapies and set up ReViral in 2011.
Said Dr Cockerill: “The next phase of the trial will be worldwide and will take approximately six to nine months. It will put a different perspective on developing the drug. The good thing about anti-viral drugs is that quite early on you know the compound works, it’s putting it through the larger patient groups that takes the time.”
Stevenage-based ReViral opened its research facility at NETPark’s Incubator in 2016 and has found it’s been the ideal location to grow the business and carry out its cutting edge research, among scores of other high tech companies which are making major advancements in healthcare.
Added Dr Cockerill: “There’s seven of us at NETPark and we love it. It’s a great location and a good site being among other companies such as CPI. It’s clean and a safe site.”
The new funding will enable the company to progress RV521 into paediatric clinical trials and to continue the development of a novel series of antiviral inhibitors targeting RSV replication. The study will be followed by additional trials in adult stem cell transplant patients.
The financing was jointly led by New Leaf Venture Partners and Novo Ventures, part of Novo Holdings A/S, with additional new investment from Perceptive Advisors. Existing investors Andera Partners, OrbiMed and Brace Pharma Capital also participated in the fundraise. In conjunction with the financing, representatives of New Leaf Ventures and Novo Ventures will be joining the ReViral Board of Directors.
The company expects to start paediatric trials early next year with the drug available in six to seven years’ time.
NETPark, is run by Business Durham, the economic development organisation for County Durham, and has recently undergone an ambitious £7.4m expansion and created new space for companies looking to scale up, with the addition of two brand new buildings NETPark Explorer 1 &2 on site.
Catherine Johns, director of innovation at Business Durham, said: “ReViral is among many innovative companies in the supportive environment of NETPark which are making world-leading discoveries and creating cutting edge products and services. We’re delighted they’ve won this latest round of funding to continue the fantastic research work they do in County Durham.”
Other News
Follow NETPark On Social Media
Keep up to date with the latest NETPark news and events.
The North East Technology Park provides a dynamic and supportive environment to accelerate the growth of ambitious, innovative, high tech companies into global markets. NETPark encourages collaborative multidisciplinary links, driving innovation, enterprise and economic prosperity.
We provide companies with access to a focused and international community where talent flourishes, ideas are generated and businesses have the support and resources to compete with the best in the world.
NETPark North East Technology Park
NETPark, North East Technology Park,
Sedgefield, County Durham TS21 3FD
Call Us: (+44) 01740 625250
Email: enquiries@northeasttechnologypark.com
Web: northeasttechnologypark.com
It fits perfectly for us that we’re surrounded by like-minded companies at NETPark. There are a number of highly skilled people in the area who can help us grow our business. The facilities and services offered by NETPark are first class, they make office life simple and engaging.
The proximity to the universities and the infrastructure are very important factors. Ultimately having a presence in Europe is very valuable to us and we intend to stay at NETPark for many years to come.
CPI has developed a specialist offering to support SMEs looking to develop their printable electronics applications and our partnership with Business Durham has been instrumental in attracting several SMEs to locate here in the region.
Access to quality facilities was one of the main drivers for deciding to locate the business at the NETPark. We have been able to use this as a launch pad to link into support from CPI and world-class expertise from Durham University.
The quality of the facilities at NETPark and the attitude of staff is first class. It has a really dynamic, innovative atmosphere.
We initially came because of the printable electronics centre but access to a highly skilled semi conductor workforce in the North East has been a key factor in us staying and growing here, as well as the value for money office space and the access to funding.