Biotica Technology

Biotica Technology Ltd., founded in 1996 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge by Peter F. Leadlay, was a biotechnology firm focused on developing drugs for cancer and inflammatory diseases. The company's core business centered on its technology platform for discovering novel therapeutics derived from polyketides, which are metabolites produced by organisms like bacteria and fungi. This platform utilized microbial genetic manipulation, including techniques like mutasynthesis, to engineer improved analogues of natural product polyketides.

Biotica's business model involved forming strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies to develop and commercialize its discoveries. Notable collaborations included a 2006 deal with Wyeth for rapamycin analogues (rapalogs), which are mTOR inhibitors, valued at up to $195 million. Another significant partnership was established in 2009 with GlaxoSmithKline to develop erythromycin analogues for inflammatory diseases, with a potential value of up to £89 million. The company also had a program developing Sangamides, a class of cyclophilin inhibitors, for Hepatitis C. In 2010, Biotica solidified its position in the polyketide engineering field by acquiring intellectual property from Bristol-Myers Squibb, which had originated from Kosan Pharmaceuticals.

Despite raising approximately £15 million and securing high-value partnerships, Biotica faced funding challenges. In early 2013, the company entered administration after being unable to secure further investment rounds. Following this, its assets were sold off in several transactions. Neurovive (now Abliva) acquired the Sangamide assets, including the related intellectual property. A significant portion of the remaining assets, including compounds, bacterial strains, and intellectual property related to biosynthetic engineering, was acquired in March 2013 by Isomerase Therapeutics Ltd. Isomerase was co-founded by former Biotica employees, including Dr. Matt Gregory, who had been Director of Intellectual Property and Project Management at Biotica, and Dr. Steven Moss, who was the Director of Natural Products Chemistry. This acquisition allowed the continuation of the scientific work initiated at Biotica.

Keywords: polyketide therapeutics, drug discovery, biotechnology, microbial genetics, anti-cancer drugs, anti-inflammatory diseases, mutasynthesis, rapamycin analogues, mTOR inhibitors, erythromycin analogues, cyclophilin inhibitors, Sangamides, Isomerase Therapeutics, Peter F. Leadlay, biopharmaceutical, natural products chemistry, biosynthetic engineering, intellectual property acquisition, pharmaceutical partnerships