News Article

A business specialising in pioneering skin cancer and sun-damaged skin testing is to establish a base in the North East to continue its world-leading research.

Canada-based Genesis Genomics (GGUK), a cutting-edge biotech research corporation, is currently developing a new early warning system to aid the effective treatment of skin cancer and skin damaged by sunburn.

It plans to use its new base at Newcastle University to push the commercial development of its world first ‘skin physical’ test – using information gleaned from new advances in DNA research into sun-damaged cells.
 
GGUK’s new ‘skin physical’ test will give patients a reliable measure of the extent of sun-damaged skin and provide personal lifestyle advice to minimise future damage. The research arm of the company will also work to provide an early indicator of skin cancer development.

A collaboration between One North East’s Strategy for Success, Inward Investment and Research and Development teams, working alongside Newcastle University and the Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (CELS), helped attract GGUK to North East England.

The new operation will be based at Newcastle University, calling on the expertise of Professor Mark Birch-Machin in the Faculty of Medical Services at Newcastle University, who is a co-founder of Genesis Genomics and managing director of GGUK.

The team behind attracting Genesis Genomics to the North East – as well as company representatives - will be available for interview and photographs at Newcastle University at 12.45pm tomorrow afternoon. (Thursday June 16). Media should meet at the front entrance to the university’s medical school in Framlington Place at 12.45pm from where they will be taken to meet the team.

One North East has agreed a £200,000 Research and Development Grant to help establish GGUK at Newcastle University. The company hopes to create an initial 15 new jobs.

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Prof Birch-Machin, of Dermatological Sciences at Newcastle University, said: “I am excited to see that the future success of the UK business will help to make a significant contribution to the decrease in skin cancer, which has one of the fastest growing cancer incidences in Europe and totals 70,000 new cases each year in the UK.

“Our research group at Newcastle University is leading world advances in this field. The unique element of our work is being able to measure the sun burnt DNA in normal, healthy people rather than just in people who are suffering from skin cancer.

“We have managed to find a particular DNA marker which tells us ‘I have been damaged and how much I have been damaged’.

“This development will let people know how sun damaged their skin is and the preventative steps that can be taken to reduce future risk.”

Dr Birch-Machin is also working with Newcastle University researchers on the next generation of sunscreens to protect DNA from sun damage. He hopes people will eventually be able to buy his early warning skin test product from health centres and dermatologists.

This product would involve skin samples being sent by purchasers to the Genesis Genomics testing centre at the university, which would analyse their sample and send results back electronically or by post.

Norman Kribs, GGUK Director of Operations, said: “GGUK is ready to offer the skin physical test this summer while the research arm of GGUK will work to provide an early indicator of skin cancer development by 2006.

“The £200,000 grant from One North East was made possible through a matching investment by parent company Genesis Canada of over £850,000, which intends to employ up to 15 people in the first instance at its Newcastle base.”

David Allison, One North East Director for Business and Industry, said: “I am delighted that Genesis Genomics has chosen the North East as the base for its UK operation.

“One North East has placed a major emphasis on the exploitation of science and knowledge as a key driver of the future North East economy through its Strategy for Success. The £200m strategy is now beginning to bear fruit and the arrival of GGUK will be a major boost to life sciences in the region.”

Keith Morris, from the Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences, said: “As part of attracting GGUK we had to do a considerable amount of work highlighting the potential growth of the region’s life science and healthcare sector and the amenities that would be available for companies choosing to locate here. But as more companies of the calibre of Genesis Genomics choose the North East as their base, this job will get easier.

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“We hope by helping GGUK smoothly integrate into the region’s existing healthcare and life science work, we may attract more companies of this standing to the region.”

Ends.

For further information please contact:
Gordon Arnott, Senior Press Officer, One North East.
Tel:(0191) 229 6309   Fax:(0191) 229 6234 Mobile: 07713 317883
e-mail: gordon.arnott@onenortheast.co.uk

or Claire Jordan, Press Officer, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
e-mail: Claire.Jordan@ncl.ac.uk
Tel: 0191 222 6067
Fax: 0191 222 5447
Notes to editors:
 
1. Grant for Research and Development is aimed at individuals planning to start up a business and small and medium enterprises already operating in England. The grants are offered, at the discretion of the Government, to help businesses carry out research and development work that will lead to technologically innovative products or processes

2. Last year alone the Agency offered 81 firms £27.5million in Regional Selective Assistance funding – if the grant offers are accepted they will create 3,199 jobs and safeguard a further 2,945. The grants will encourage the firms to invest £176 million into their businesses. From April this year RSA Grants have been replaced by the DTI with a new investment product the SFI – Selective Finance for Investment. The new grant will target high productivity, highly skilled projects building on the existing RSA criteria of job creation and retention.

3. One North East works to improve the conditions for businesses in order that they thrive in the region, grow and create jobs. Good transport links, access to the latest technology, research and development, well-trained staff and sound, simple business support are the key issues that affect the business climate - these are the issues that One North East is charged with tackling.

4. One North East is now the Region’s strategic lead agency on:
· Urban and rural regeneration
· Business support
· Tourism
· Research and Development
· Skills and education 
· ICT and new technologies
5. In 2001, One North East devolved 75% of its budget to four Sub-Regional Partnerships (SRPs) in Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear. These autonomous organisations are accountable to One North East but receive independent direction from local business and community leaders and stakeholders. These SRPs are responsible for devising their own business plans to direct local resources at local issues.
6. The Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (CELS) is funded by One North East.  CELS’ remit is to drive the healthcare economy of the North East. It acts as a growth catalyst for research and development activity in the region. Working with both universities and business, it is dedicated to overseeing the implementation of a regional growth strategy for healthcare, including identifying regional strengths and opportunities in R&D, technology transfer and business development.  CELS also acts as a coordinating hub for academic and business cluster activity. CELS receives support through the European Regional Development Fund to regenerate the region and create a vibrant economy.