INSIGHTS / News

The University of Bristol has entered into an exclusive licence agreement with Topokine Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for dermatology and medical aesthetics. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to use, for all skin applications, a novel method to manufacture a class of prostaglandins that reduce fat.

The revolutionary technology, which was developed by Professor Varinder Aggarwal, has been described by one expert as “unbeatable in its conciseness and elegance”, greatly simplifies synthesis of prostaglandins.  It is expected to improve manufacturing efficiency by 5-10 fold and substantially reduce manufacturing costs. 

“There is remarkable synergy between our research and Topokine’s innovative products.  I look forward to helping advance Topokine’s efforts by applying our synthesis technology,” said Professor Aggarwal, a Fellow of the Royal Society who has now joined Topokine’s Advisory Board. 

“Professor Aggarwal’s group is at the cutting-edge of prostaglandin chemistry,” said Murat Kalayoglu, MD, PhD, Topokine President and CEO.  “This exclusive license further enhances our IP position, and we are excited to collaborate with him and the University of Bristol.”

Licensing agreements are just one of the ways in which Universities collaborate with business. Other forms include research collaborations, consultancy and student or research placements.  For further information on collaborating with the SETsquared Universities, visit: http://www.setsquared.co.uk/partnership/research-innovation-enterprise-offices