Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/433487
35 By the time the company needed to raise investment on AIM in 2007 it was cash generative with an established track record and hence was fairly low risk Key to regulation of epithelial stem cells was the identification of genes controlling the stem cell cycle and apoptosis in which defects were implicated in epithelial cancers. The University had genome analysis and expression technology which enabled this research topic to be exploited, and led to a lead scientist joining the company. The novel therapies division exploited these findings to develop a drug discovery programme. The business was clearly capable of expanding to develop its own products and in 2006 recruited a CEO to float the company on the Alternative Investment Market in 2007. A by-product of the research was the development of a biomarker division, which used the company's know- how in contract research and the technology developed for its own drug development to support the identification and development of epithelial – specifically hair – biomarkers. This was then offered as a service to pharma customers. Complementing the other businesses is the company's acquisition of the gene-drive technology for point-of-care testing of gene expression, which the company believes will revolutionise diagnostic testing for many infectious diseases, such as TB. The company's leading expertise attracted interest from the US government and it is now involved in projects which test drugs intended to ameliorate the effect of radiation weapons. It is recognised as a leading authority in the domain. The advantage of co-location with the University is the access to leading-edge research facilities on campus, the easy collaboration between both company and University scientists to generate new ideas and student training. The small, modular purpose-built labs provided by UMIC are perfectly suited to the nature of the company's business. www.epistem.co.uk 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 ■ TALENT ■ CULTURE PLACE ■ HISTORY ■ SUPPORT ■ OPEN/INDUSTRY ORIENTATION ■ GLOBAL LINKS ■ RESEARCH Why Manchester? Chart illustrates the factors that influenced Epistem