Epistem

Epistem is a biotechnology company applying its expertise in epithelial stem cells in the areas of oncology and gastrointestinal diseases as well as dermatological applications.

Epistem has become recognised as a specialist in epithelial tissue and stem cell analyses. Our heritage is based on our expert science and know-how in the field of epithelial tissue and adult epithelial stem cell biology.

Epistem does not conduct research into embryonic stem cells or stem cell transplantation.

Founded in 2000, the Company originally formed part of the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, UK. The founders and management are international experts in epithelial tissue, tumours and stem cell control and lead a team of experienced scientific staff, with specialist skills in the field.

Located in purpose-built office and laboratory facilities adjacent to The University of Manchester, UK, Epistem maintains close links with drug development companies, clinicians and academics in the field, ensuring that the Company remains at the forefront of stem cell science and technology development.

Scientific Overview
Epistem's scientific foundation is based on co-founder Professor Chris Potten's groundbreaking stem cell research over three decades at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, UK.  Professor Potten identified and characterised the location and behaviour of stem cells in the intestine, skin, hair follicle and breast.

The epithelium provides a barrier between the body and its environment.  Due to its dynamic epithelial change and rapid cell proliferative state, the lining of the small intestine provides a unique environment in which to understand epithelial changes, cell regulation and mechanisms of action.  The lining of the intestine consists of a single layer of cells that secretes and absorbs substances during digestion.  It undergoes continuous renewal; the finger-like villi in the small intestine in humans completely regenerates each week.

Stem cells are the source of life long tissue renewal (for an introduction to stem cells visit http://www.eurostemcell.org/films#story).  These cells have the unique capability to either make more of themselves or to differentiate and give rise to all types of cells in a tissue.  Small changes in stem cell activity result in large changes in the output of  functional cells.  The regulators that control epithelial stem cells in the body remain unknown.  Epistem is in the unique position to discover these regulators and develop new therapeutics that modulate the body's own stem cells to protect and repair epithelial tissues in patients.

The Epistem team have developed powerful models to elucidate the mechanism of action of cells and to characterise the escalator-like process of cell production required to maintain the integrity of epithelial tissues.  These models remain unmatched, in the field of stem cell biology, for studying the behaviour of adult (non-embryonic) stem cells.

Epistem's discovery platform integrates its unparalleled knowledge of stem cells and models alongside proprietary high-resolution gene expression profiling technology.

Epistem is a specialist contract research organisation providing reliable, innovative research models, preclinical efficacy testing and clinical sample analysis to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and personal care industries.

Epistem has a world-renowned expertise in adult epithelial stem cell biology. Epithelial tissue is implicated in a wide variety of diseases and the company provides a comprehensive range of preclinical models in four key therapeutic areas.


Oncology
Epistem's preclinical oncology platform is an integrated offering, combining a comprehensive range of assays with a high level of oncology expertise. Epistem has a track record of delivering high quality preclinical data to our pharmaceutical clients, many of which have progressed towards the clinical phases.

Epistem's preclinical oncology platform includes:

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes two separate disorders: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).  Both are characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, resulting in ulceration, mucosal bleeding and diarrhoea. Defects in both the adaptive and innate immune response to antigens of bacterial origin are thought to promote these diseases.

Epistem's IBD service platform comprises a comprehensive range incorporating:

Target validation:

Access to human diseased tissue (Crohn's and UC)
Immunohistochemistry and Ariol image analysis 
Gene expression profiling (qRT-PCR)

In vitro compound testing:

In vitro model of T-cell and B-cell help
Assessment of interleukin production, by ELISA

Preclinical inflammatory bowel disease models:

Acute models (DSS and TNBS)
Chronic models (CD4+CD62L+ adoptive T-cell transfer and IL-10 knockout)

Oncology Supportive Care (Mucositis)
Mucositis is a dose-limiting side-effect of many cancer therapies. Interruption of gastrointestinal cell production by a cytotoxic agent can result in a breach of the mucosal barrier. If sufficient epithelial stem cells are killed, severe, debilitating ulceration and diarrhoea can arise. Commercially available models for oral and intestinal mucositis are not readily available; however, three decades of ground-breaking research led by Epistem's founders have culminated in Epistem's preclinical mucositis platform.

To date, over 20 companies have accessed Epistem's preclinical mucositis platform, which incorporates:

Oral Mucositis
Intestinal Mucositis

Dermatology
Epistem draws on its considerable expertise in the epithelial biology field to provide a range of specialist dermatology research services for personal care, cosmetic and pharmaceutical product development.

Epistem also specialises in analysing, using immunohistochemistry, ELISA and gene expression, a range of skin markers (e.g. for differentiation, proliferation, UV protection and anti-ageing) on skin biopsies from 'claims support' human volunteer studies.

Epistem has access to a variety of human skin types and offers expertise and services in the following key areas:

David Evans, Non-Executive Chairman
David was executive Chairman of Epistem from 2006 until February 2007. As the former CFO he guided Shield Diagnostics Ltd. through its IPO and then, as its CEO, through its merger with Axis Biochemical ASA to form Axis-Shield plc, a Fully Listed diagnostics company. In addition to being Chairman of the Company he is currently non-executive Chairman of Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings plc and Omega Diagnostics Group plc, both of which are AIM listed diagnostic companies.

Matthew Walls, Chief Executive Officer
Matthew joined Epistem in February 2007 as Chief Executive Officer. Matthew is an experienced CEO most recently with Oxford BioSignals Limited where he led the strategic 'diagnostic' collaboration with Rolls Royce Plc and Covance Inc and completed the recent fundraising and repositioning of the medical diagnostic business to the United States. Matthew spent the early part of his career with ICI plc progressing through the executive development programme and several senior management positions. Matthew headed up the corporate financial and commercial development of plant biotechnology at AstraZeneca plc prior to its merger with Novartis to form Syngenta plc. Matthew has led the growth and development of several technology and biotechnology companies as CEO including Internexus Limited and Zylepsis Limited. Matthew holds a non-executive role at Riyada Oxford Investments Limited and is a chartered accountant and a member of CIMA.

John Rylands, Financial Director
John originally joined Epistem as an investor and non-executive director and in 2002 he took over his current role. Mr. Rylands worked at Northern Venture Management, providing corporate finance advice to private companies before joining Epistem. Until 1999 he was an investor in and consultant to the SDS group of companies. John holds a degree in Economics and Accountancy from the Manchester University and is a member of ICAEW.

Jeffrey Moore, Ph.D., Managing Director, Novel Therapies
Jeffrey joined Epistem in 2005 in his current role. Prior to joining Epistem he had been at Phylogix, a US biotech company based in the Boston area that he had founded in 1998. Phylogix business was based on a stem cell preservation factor that he discovered while leading a team at ImClone Systems Incorporated. Until 1992, when he joined ImClone, he had held two postdoctoral fellowships at different research institutes, DNAX Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Inc. and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Throughout his career Jeffrey has kept a strong interest in stem cell regulation and the potential commercial application of these factors. He holds a Ph.D. from George Washington University.

Prof. Chris Potten, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Adviser
Chris is a co-founder of Epistem and the Company capitalises on the results of the research that was produced by him and his team at the Paterson Institute over the past three decades. While not involved in the day to day management of the Company Chris keeps a strong interest in the progress and success of the Company and prior to Admission has been its biggest individual shareholder.

Catherine Booth, Ph.D., Managing Director, Contract Research Services
Catherine is a co-founder of Epistem and prior to starting Epistem she worked for 10 years with Prof. Chris Potten at the Paterson Institute. Whilst at the Paterson Institute she developed many pre-clinical assays. This knowledge is at the core of the Epistem contract research service. Catherine received her Ph.D. from the Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge.

Gerard Brady, Ph.D., Research Director

Gerard joined Epistem shortly after its inception from Manchester University, where he was a lecturer, and was previously a Zeneca Fellow.  He brought with him important technological expertise gained through working on blood stem cells.  Of particular importance to Epistem is his expertise in single cell gene analysis, which enables the examination of rare cells such as stem cells.  Gerard previously held scientific positions in Canada and at EMBL, Heidelberg.

Robert Nolan, Non-executive Director

Robert has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since 2004.  He brings with him a wealth of expertise in partnering and licensing negotiations both with small biotechnology and large pharmaceutical companies. Prior to his retirement he was Director, Global Licensing at AstraZeneca.  He is also a non-executive Director of Phico Therapeutics Ltd.

Roger Lloyd, Non-executive Director

Trained as a biochemist, Roger has almost 35 years' experience in the healthcare and biotechnology sector, particularly in the areas of strategic planning and business development.  International business management with ICI Plc and AstraZeneca Plc included living and working in the US and Germany, and having territorial responsibilities for Europe, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the Middle East.  As Executive Director of Global Licensing at AstraZeneca, he personally completed 24 transactions, including strategic alliances with Abgenix and CAT, and acquisitions of KuDOS Pharmaceuticals and CAT.  He operates as a Board Adviser in the biotech sector.

London AIM market - Listed 4 April 2007