Second collaborative project launches to solve access issue to UK human tissue samples

Tonight (28 February), Medicines Discovery Catapult is set to launch its second collaborative project to solve the issue of access to human tissue samples for drug discovery research in the UK.

A Scottish provider of ethically sourced human samples required for preclinical drug development and research, Tissue Solutions, will collaborate with the Medicines Discovery Catapult in order to help UK SMEs and biobanks work together on medical research projects. This partnership will be a two-year commitment supporting the use of consented human samples from UK patients for medical research and development.

This collaboration announcement comes after the Medicines Discovery Catapult and the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) released findings of their survey involving senior executives from the UK drug discovery field. From this survey, it was highlighted that 93% of UK SMEs considered access to NHS biosamples for commercial development as hugely important, yet 64% had difficulty in accessing UK tissue samples for medical research.

“It is important for a thriving R&D drug development sector that access to the building blocks of discovery science is enabled for the future health of the population,” said Mr Paul Wheelhouse MSP, minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Scottish government. “This collaboration between the Medicines Discovery Catapult and Tissue Solutions is confirmation of the strength of Scottish Life Sciences companies and clearly shows that Scotland is an excellent place to do business.”

“The UK has millions of samples and billions of data points collected from UK patients who have generously agreed for them to be used in medical research,” added Chris Molloy, chief executive of the Medicines Discovery Catapult. “Yet we know small companies struggle to access them. That’s a major barrier to the UK’s R&D productivity and represents a missed opportunity for growing the sector. In a globally competitive environment, we must ensure SMEs involved in drug discovery are given all they need to maintain the UK’s strong heritage position in medicines R&D”

“Sitting at the interface between Biobanks and scientists working on cutting edge projects is a privileged position to be in,” commented Morag McFarlane, CEO of Tissue Solutions. “We understand that the best research comes from the best samples. We are committed to providing the very highest quality samples to help advancements in biomedical research and this collaboration will secure the best samples for UK-based organisations.”

“The use of samples is vital to improve understanding of health and disease,” said Sophia Turner, from UseMYdata patient group. “When patients donate samples for medical research, they want to see them used to improve medicines and treatments. This agreement is an important step to ensure they are used as patients intend.”