About Us
Our mission at Alcyomics is to provide novel solutions for the assessment of safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and chemicals.
Alcyomics aspires takes the lead in providing unique screening services enabling more cost-effective commercialisation of products and or drugs offering a reliable alternative to animal testing for safety and potency assessment of novel compounds. We use our patented technology, Skimune®, a non-artificial human skin explant test, to accurately predict adverse immune reactions. We assist our clients through the provision of robust and reproducible tissue based safety data to de-risk their product portfolio.
We work to Good Laboratory Practice and to ISO9001 standards and our safety and efficacy reports have been submitted to regulatory authorities to support, for example clinical trial applications.
Skimune® represents the fruits of over 30 years’ research on haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) by Alcyomics who used human skin based in vitro assays for identifying responses of donor cells against patient skin tissue i.e. graft versus host disease (GvHD) following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Skimune for GvHD has been used in Newcastle as part of a clinical protocol for treatment of haematological disorders and has been published to have a >80% correlation with clinical outcome.Our research has been extensively published in over 100 peer-reviewed journals.
Since our origin in GvHD research, we have expanded the applications in which Skimune can provide significant toxicity data to include: Small molecules, Large molecules (Monoclonal antibodies, Bi/ Tri specific antibodies, Immune cell engagers, ADCs), Advanced therapies (Allogenic cell and gene therapies), Medical Devices, Nanomedicines and much more!
We work to Good Laboratory Practice and to ISO9001 standards and our safety and efficacy reports have been submitted to regulatory authorities to support, for example clinical trial applications.
Skimune® represents the fruits of over 30 years’ research on haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) by Alcyomics who used human skin based in vitro assays for identifying responses of donor cells against patient skin tissue i.e. graft versus host disease (GvHD) following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Skimune for GvHD has been used in Newcastle as part of a clinical protocol for treatment of haematological disorders and has been published to have a >80% correlation with clinical outcome.Our research has been extensively published in over 100 peer-reviewed journals.
Since our origin in GvHD research, we have expanded the applications in which Skimune can provide significant toxicity data to include: Small molecules, Large molecules (Monoclonal antibodies, Bi/ Tri specific antibodies, Immune cell engagers, ADCs), Advanced therapies (Allogenic cell and gene therapies), Medical Devices, Nanomedicines and much more!
Management and Scientific Teams
Prof. Anne Dickinson - CEO
Alcyomics brings the wealth of knowledge and expertise from Prof. Dickinson, using her knowledge from a career as a Health Professional Clinical Scientist and Director of Newcastle Cellular Therapy Facility (until her retirement in August 2019) and her direct experience in the regulatory framework involved in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).
Jonathan Neal - Finance Director
Finance professional with experience in financial forecasting, business planning, corporate finance and financial management of technology SMEs. Jonathan qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and specialised in corporate finance. Jonathan is responsible for the financial implementation of projects and associated forecasts. Jonathan has experience in grant funding and commercial and financial contracts with industry.
Finance professional with experience in financial forecasting, business planning, corporate finance and financial management of technology SMEs. Jonathan qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and specialised in corporate finance. Jonathan is responsible for the financial implementation of projects and associated forecasts. Jonathan has experience in grant funding and commercial and financial contracts with industry.
Dr Steven O'Reilly - Business Development Manager
A results-orientated business development leader that has demonstrated new business revenue and extensive project management. Steven has both an academic and biotechnology company background most recently associate director as STipe therapeutics in Denmark driving the development of STING agonists for immune oncology and drove the research and development pipeline. Steven has also been an academic leading his own research group, primarily in inflammatory skin diseases. He has an extensive publication profile including high impact publications and has published in excess of 90 publications, been cited over 3500 times and has extensive experience in immunology and has led seminal studies on the immunology of the disease systemic sclerosis.
A results-orientated business development leader that has demonstrated new business revenue and extensive project management. Steven has both an academic and biotechnology company background most recently associate director as STipe therapeutics in Denmark driving the development of STING agonists for immune oncology and drove the research and development pipeline. Steven has also been an academic leading his own research group, primarily in inflammatory skin diseases. He has an extensive publication profile including high impact publications and has published in excess of 90 publications, been cited over 3500 times and has extensive experience in immunology and has led seminal studies on the immunology of the disease systemic sclerosis.
Julie Wright - Operations Manager
With more than a decade of working in the life science sector, Julie brings her skills and experience to oversee all operational aspects of Alcyomics.
Julie is responsible for ensuring the everyday activities of the company run smoothly by developing, improving and implementing operational plans to meet company goals and objectives. With experience of leading both the operational and commercial functions in a small businesses she supports the CEO to achieve fulfilment of the company strategy and vision.
With more than a decade of working in the life science sector, Julie brings her skills and experience to oversee all operational aspects of Alcyomics.
Julie is responsible for ensuring the everyday activities of the company run smoothly by developing, improving and implementing operational plans to meet company goals and objectives. With experience of leading both the operational and commercial functions in a small businesses she supports the CEO to achieve fulfilment of the company strategy and vision.
Dr Abbas Ishaq - Laboratory Manager
Abbas organizes the scientific research, manages the research staff and co-ordinates the delivery of research and client projects. Abbas has experience in a wide range of cellular assays from his PhD experience in the Institute of Aging and Vitality at Newcastle University. He also has experience in 2D and 3D skin explant assays for prediction of adverse effects of drugs and novel compounds. Experienced in performing a wide range of scientific techniques involving tissue culture and molecular biology. Abbas manages the scientific/technical team, design and execute experiments and reports to the CEO.
Abbas organizes the scientific research, manages the research staff and co-ordinates the delivery of research and client projects. Abbas has experience in a wide range of cellular assays from his PhD experience in the Institute of Aging and Vitality at Newcastle University. He also has experience in 2D and 3D skin explant assays for prediction of adverse effects of drugs and novel compounds. Experienced in performing a wide range of scientific techniques involving tissue culture and molecular biology. Abbas manages the scientific/technical team, design and execute experiments and reports to the CEO.
We work hard to ensure our team is made up of experts in all relevant fields, from scientific expertise in cell bioprinting, disease modelling, wound healing, neurotoxicity and immunotoxicology to managerial expertise, ensuring smooth project management, quality control, reporting and communication.
Alcyomics will ensure that the unique requirements of every client are catered for in a bespoke project plan to meet objectives and deliverables. The team has over 30 years experience in managing multi million-pound European Commission consortia projects, working with multi disciplinary teams from within UK and Europe. We manage commercial grants, in addition to grants funded by Innovate UK, NC3R’s, and Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative. Alcyomics have worked with some of the top 10 pharma and cosmetic companies globally.
Our History
2006
Northwick Park Drug Trial Disaster. Initiates the development of Skimune® an application built from over 30 years of GvHD research conducted by Prof. Anne Dickinson
2009
Alcyomics is born
2010
First commercial contract using Skimune®
2014
January
EU Skimune® patent granted
EU Skimune® patent granted
2014
£150k investment received from One North East
2016
First peer reviewed paper for Alcyomics
2017
US Skimune® patent granted
2018
£300k investment received from North Star Ventures
2019
Alcyomics moves into commercial laboratory and office space, The Biosphere
2019
Skimune® 3D US patent granted
2019
Publication with Pfizer
2021
Skimune® Epi launced
2021
EU Skimune® 3D patent granted
2023
3D Innervated skin model launch
Patent Family
Case Code
Applicant
Country
Status
Official Number
Title
P131663CH
Alcyomics Limited
Switzerland
Granted
EP2524227
Skin Explant Assay
P131663DE
Alcyomics Limited
Germany
Granted
602011004834
Skin Explant Assay
P131663DK
Alcyomics Limited
Denmark
Granted
EP2524227
Skin Explant Assay
P131663ES
Alcyomics Limited
Spain
Granted
EP2524227
Skin Explant Assay
P131663FR
Alcyomics Limited
France
Granted
EP2524227
Skin Explant Assay
P131663GB1
Alcyomics Limited
United Kingdom
Granted
EP2524227
Skin Explant Assay
P131663IT
Alcyomics Limited
Italy
Granted
5020149002254005
Skin Explant Assay
P131663US
Alcyomics Limited
USA
Granted
9,651,544
Skin Explant Assay
P131663USD1
Alcyomics Limited
USA
Granted
10,073,084
Skin Explant Assay
P207153EP
Alcyomics Limited & University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Europe
Pending
14709380.1
Skin Model
P207153US
Alcyomics Limited & University of Newcastle upon Tyne
USA
Granted
10,408,848
Skin Model
SME Alcyomics grants as lead or collaborator Totalling £2.5m
2022-2023- Innovate UK Combined Investor grant £350,000
Innervation of an osteoarthritis model of disease. – requires £245,000 in investment.
2021-23 - Innovate UK Continuity Loan
Further development of a 3D skin model – high throughput and innervation. Total £350,000
2018-22 - Innovate UK Northern Alliance Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre
Total £12,019,741, £425,760 awarded to Alcyomics Ltd.
2017-2020 - CRACK IT Challenge
Microfluidic Automated Platform for Osteoarthritis Drug Screening (MA-PODS). Total £999,996.00, £498,000 awarded to Alcyomics Ltd
2017-2019 - Innovate UK
Novel manufacture and commercialisation of a 96-well 3D skin model for drug and toxicology testing - Total £205,994; £144,196 awarded to Alcyomics
2017 - CRACK IT Challenge
Microfluidic Co-cultures for OA Modelling. Total, £99,498.00 £33,000 awarded to Alcyomics.
2015-2019 - European Commission - Horizon 2020
“Rapid Bioprocess development”(BIORAPID). Total, €4,038,971.76 (co-ordinated by Prof Jarka Glassy, Newcastle, University); €271,127.88 awarded to Alcyomics.
2015-2019 - Finance Birmingham-Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, (AMSCI)
Total, £6,189,907 (co-ordinated by CPI); £493,150 awarded to Alcyomics.
2015-2017 - Technology Strategy Board - Process Industries North East LaunchPad
Improved manufacture and commercialisation of a 3D skin model for drug safety. £117,566.00 to Alcyomics.
2014-2016 - Technology Strategy Board - The Eurostars™ Programme
Nucleosome Biomarkers as predictors of inflammatory response (NuQ®). £107,372.00 awarded to Alcyomics.
2012-2016 - European Commission - FP7 MC Initial Training Network
“Improving HSCT by Validation of Biomarkers & Development of Novel Cellular Therapies” (CELLEUROPE).Total, €3,226.318.92 (PI Prof. Anne Dickinson,); €250,652.16 awarded to Alcyomics.
