Roquefort Therapeutics has completed the acquisition of Oncogeni for £5.5mln in new shares.
Founded by Nobel Laureate Sir Martin Evans, Oncogeni is focused on two areas of cancer research: small interfering RNA (gene silencing) and mesodermal killer (MK) cells.
Stephen West, Roquefort’s executive chairman, said the acquisition “pivots Roquefort Therapeutics into a material oncology biotech company with a pre-clinical anti-cancer portfolio that is patent protected and fully funded to clinical trial submission”.
“Roquefort Therapeutics now has a state-of-the-art laboratory and manufacturing facility which provides the group with major cost saving and time advantages as we progress through the pre-clinical stage of development,” he added.
Following the acquisition, Trevor Reginald has been appointed chief executive, Sir Martin Evans becomes chief scientific officer and Darren Disley joins as a non-executive director. All are board appointments, said the statement.