THE BIG PICTURE
The UK government commissioned report published in 2016 by Jim O’Neill, highlights the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is particularly evident for Gram negative bacteria, where resistance is now emerging to even last resort antibiotics, such as colistin. The report suggests that unless action is taken, the global burden of deaths from AMR could balloon to 10 million lives each year by 2050.
THE COMPANY
Phico Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing a novel platform technology which it believes could form the basis for a new generation of antibiotics to overcome antibacterial resistance.
MEET THE TEAM
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Dr Heather Fairhead FOUNDER & CEO
Dr Fairhead has over 20 years’ experience directing research teams in a variety of disciplines and has led Phico in developing SASPject technology from a concept through a Phase I clinical trial. Prior to her scientific career, Heather worked in sales and marketing in a wide range of industries.
Dr Heather Fairhead FOUNDER & CEO
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Dr Anthony Martin CHAIRMAN
Dr Martin has more than 25 years' experience in providing life science and biotechnology companies counsel on a range of strategic, management and funding issues, including as Chairman of anti-infectives company, NeuTec Pharma plc, where he played a pivotal role in guiding the company’s sale to Novartis for over £300M.
Dr Anthony Martin CHAIRMAN
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Allan Hirst NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Allan has spent 24 years with Citigroup, in the last 15 years leading Citibank’s expansion into central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia. Since retiring from Citigroup, he has served as an Independent Director on a variety of Supervisory Boards; helping to IPO two of them via Premium Listings on the London Stock Exchange (Bank of Georgia Group and Georgia Healthcare Group).
Allan Hirst NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Dr Robert Nolan NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robert has over 30 years’ experience in big pharma, including from 1989 to end 2004 as Director of Global Licensing at AstraZeneca. Bob is a non-executive director of Epistem Ltd. He gained his Ph.D. in biochemistry from King’s College, London, and completed two post-doctoral fellowships in the US at Dartmouth Medical School and MIT.
Dr Robert Nolan NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Professor Mark Wilcox NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mark is a Consultant Microbiologist, Head of Research and Development in Microbiology at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTHT), Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Leeds (Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine), and is the Lead on Clostridium difficile for Public Health England (PHE) and Medical Advisor to National Infection Prevention...
Professor Mark Wilcox NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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David Beadle NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
David Beadle has over 25 years’ experience in the healthcare and finance industries and brings a wealth of knowledge in investment banking, finance and life sciences. David started his career working in the pharmaceutical industry for Schwarz Pharma and Schering AG in marketing and strategic development, where he was part of the global...
David Beadle NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Dr James Cass RESEARCH MANAGER
Microbiologist with over 10 years' experience in the biotech and anti-infectives industry; Biocontrol Ltd (Ampliphi Biosciences)
Dr James Cass RESEARCH MANAGER
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Mr Andrew Armour FINANCE DIRECTOR
Andrew is a Chartered Accountant with wide industry experience including healthcare, particularly in financial restructuring, equity fundraising and corporate acquisitions and disposals. Andrew was the Finance Director of Colchester Hospital...
Mr Andrew Armour FINANCE DIRECTOR
TECHNOLOGY
SASP gene expression system delivered to target bacteria via SASPject NDV
Bacteria read SASP gene and make SASP
SASP’s bind to and inactivate bacterial DNA
SASP gene expression system delivered to target bacteria via SASPject NDV
Bacteria read SASP gene and make SASP
SASP’s bind to and inactivate bacterial DNA
Our SASPject™ platform delivers pan-spectrum anti-bacterial proteins called small acid-soluble spore proteins, or SASPs, to selected bacterial species using targetable nano-delivery vehicles (NDVs). SASPject™ works by injecting a gene that encodes SASP directly into the targeted bacteria. The injected gene then produces SASPs, which bind to bacterial DNA and inactivate it. SASPs “turn off” DNA so the targeted bacterial cell cannot metabolise or reproduce. The immune system can then remove the bacteria from the body.
SASPs bind to all bacterial DNA, irrespective of the sequence of that DNA. Spontaneous mutations in DNA, or the import of new DNA that gives new characteristics to the bacterial cell, are key ways in which bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. Neither of these strategies affects the ability of SASP to bind to and inactivate bacterial DNA.
This approach has the potential to provide a number of significant advantages over traditional antibiotics:
- The unique mode of action of SASP makes it unlikely the bacteria will be able to develop resistance to this anti-bacterial protein
- SASPject technology can be used to target any selected bacteria, individual or multiple bacterial species or genera, including those that are multi-antibiotic resistant.
- Unlike conventional antibiotics, SASPject has no effect on any bacteria other than those at which it is targeted. Normal skin and gut bacteria (“good bacteria”) are unharmed.
- SASPject target specificity prevents the release of toxins and other inflammatory cell components from non-target bacteria thus potentially minimising associated side effects.
- SASPject has the potential to limit the further spread of antibiotic resistance genes and to shrink the current antibiotic resistance pool
Our SASPject™ platform delivers pan-spectrum anti-bacterial proteins called small acid-soluble spore proteins, or SASPs, to selected bacterial species using targetable nano-delivery vehicles (NDVs). SASPject™ works by injecting a gene that encodes SASP directly into the targeted bacteria.
The injected gene then produces SASPs, which bind to bacterial DNA and inactivate it. SASPs “turn off” DNA so the targeted bacterial cell cannot metabolise or reproduce. The immune system can then remove the bacteria from the body.
SASPs bind to all bacterial DNA, irrespective of the sequence of that DNA. Spontaneous mutations in DNA, or the import of new DNA that gives new characteristics to the bacterial cell, are key ways in which bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. Neither of these strategies affects the ability of SASP to bind to and inactivate bacterial DNA.
This approach has the potential to provide a number of significant advantages over traditional antibiotics:
- The unique mode of action of SASP makes it unlikely the bacteria will be able to develop resistance to this anti-bacterial protein
- SASPject technology can be used to target any selected bacteria, individual or multiple bacterial species or genera, including those that are multi-antibiotic resistant.
- Unlike conventional antibiotics, SASPject has no effect on any bacteria other than those at which it is targeted. Normal skin and gut bacteria (“good bacteria”) are unharmed.
- SASPject target specificity prevents the release of toxins and other inflammatory cell components from non-target bacteria thus potentially minimising associated side effects.
- SASPject has the potential to limit the further spread of antibiotic resistance genes and to shrink the current antibiotic resistance pool
OUR PRODUCTS
MEDIA AND INVESTORS
The Naked Scientists Interview: Little Pharma, off the beaten track
Dr Heather Fairhead, Interview with The Naked Scientists – “Little Pharma: Off the beaten track”
12/09/2017
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire – Morning Show:
Dr Heather Fairhead, Phico’s CEO, talks to Dotty McLeod about PT3
17/11/2016
Press Release:
Phico moves forward with global fight against antibiotic resistant ‘superbugs’, raising more than £3.5M to take its lead PT3 program into the clinic.
15/11/2016
Dr Heather Fairhead, Phico’s CEO, talks to Dotty McLeod on the Breaksfast Show during World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2015.
18/11/2015
BBC Look East.
Dr Heather Fairhead, Phico’s CEO, is interviewed as part of an article on antibiotic resistance, during the 2015 World Antibiotic Awareness Week.
18/11/2015
Phico Therapeutics Receives Translation Award To Advance Its SASPject™ PT4 aimed at Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Towards Clinical Trials
03/09/2015
Andie Harper’s Mid Morning Show, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:
Radio Interview with Phico Therapeutics’ CEO, Dr Heather Fairhead. Heather discusses the problems we are facing with antibiotic resistant bacteria.
08/01/2015
Interview with Dr Heather Fairhead, Phico’s CEO, following the call to arms for development of new antibiotics by Professor Dame Sally Davies, UK Chief Medical Officer.
03/11/2013
Phico Therapeutics and its technology features in the pages of Wired Magazine.
11/01/2014
Antibiotic-resistant infections could destroy our way of life: New report #AntibioticResistance
https://t.co/JCKjMHDL3E
Martha Clokie on the viruses that could improve our health #AntiobioticResistance
https://t.co/tClGBCHqc2
CONTACT US
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
- +44(0)1954 741040
- info@phicotx.co.uk
- Phico Therapeutics Ltd, Bertarelli Building, Bourn Hall, High Street, Bourn, Cambridgeshire, CB23 2TN