Deal gives boost to disease research
October 2016: A major breakthrough in peptide chemistry and biomedical sciences, paving the way for a better understanding of disease onset and behaviour
The licence agreement between life sciences giant Merck and the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation arm, Edinburgh Research & Innovation involving technology will help research around the world to understand how diseases progress in their early stages.
The technology is based on using natural peptide mimics as “disease reporters” by applying a fluorescent compound or re-agent that makes them easier to identify. Academics at Edinburgh’s School of Clinical Sciences, led by Dr Marc Vendrell (CIR), carried out the research alongside partners at The University of Barcelona and The University of Manchester.