Member testimonials

Cica Biomedical



Cica Biomedical is a contract research company that specialises in undertaking pre-clinical and clinical research studies for the wound healing/tissue repair, wound management & tissue viability sectors.

“We primarily undertake ‘proof of principle’ and safety & efficacy studies on therapies (drugs, devices, biologics….) designed to accelerate or otherwise improve wound healing; the reports from which are frequently used in submissions to regulatory authorities. We work with academic groups, start-ups/spin-outs and industry.  We’ve been a member of Regener8 for over a year.  I think Regener8 is useful as it provides a link to other people with similar areas of interest, I also think that the meetings are an excellent opportunity for networking and renewing acquaintances.

We have an ongoing working relationship with another member - Neotherix Ltd, which was established prior to RegeNer8.

Regener8 helps to keep me informed as to who’s doing what and who can do what. Perhaps you could look at what members need in terms of a focus for future meetings. I would be happy to run a workshop on wound healing biology/in vivo modeling/ assessment techniques -  at a future meeting if it’s of interest to members.”

Jeff Hart, Director, Cica Biomedical Ltd

Complement Genomics

Complement Genomics is based in Sunderland and provides laboratory testing as well as science and business consultancy to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic and healthcare sectors.

“As a result of RegeNer8’s Clinical Challange Programme, we are now part of a promising consortium of biotech companies here in the North East and in London.  We are hopeful of making a real difference to treating Type 1 diabetes as well as growing our business.”

Louise Allcroft, Chief Executive Officer, Complement Genomics

Tissue Regenix



Tissue Regenix is a Leeds based medical technology company which uses a proprietary technology called dCELL® to make replacement body parts from biological (animal) materials.  dCELL® works by removing all from the animal tissue allowing it to be used to replace worn out or diseased body parts.  Tissue Regenix has three priority markets in the vascular, cardiac and orthopaedics arenas.  The market for therapies utilising tissue engineering is one of the most rapidly growing product medical sectors.

“The Regener8 project has been important in identifying key translational elements associated with development of the porcine heart valve and will have played a role in risk management of this key project.  The grant has enabled us to focus on the primary obstacles to success in this area which should and could reduce its time to market.”

Antony Odell, Managing Director, Tissue Regenix

Cell Guidance Systems



Cell Guidance Systems provides simple, precise tools for stem cell research.  Our aim is to identify the best technologies for stem cell science and provide them in a timely manner backed by the highest levels of service and support.  We've started with one of the most fundamental aspects of stem cell science: Media for expanding cells in a pluripotent state.

“We are based in Cambridge, it’s good to be able to attend a meeting with a focus on the North of England which allows us to interact with stem cell groups working  across that region.  We have been a member of Regener8 for 9 month,; I came across the website when I was searching for regenerative medicine societies.  We made some good contacts  at an event in Liverpool which have led to technology evaluation and we are moving towards a new commercial relationship.  It is great to have an organisation that encourages and inspires collaboration between academia and industry.“

Michael Jones, CEO, Cell Guidance Systems

Kirkstall



Kirkstall has developed the Quasi Vivo® system, to provide ‘in vivo-like’ conditions for cell growth. The system allows individual cell culture chambers to be connected together to culture individual cell types or tissue under a dynamic nutrient flow, allowing cell-to-cell signaling between and within each chamber.

“We have been a member of Regener8 since it was formed.  It’s great to be part of a supply chain network like regeNer8.   It’s important to talk to other business in the region operating in the biotech sector. It gives a great perspective on technology in the marketplace and is good for information sharing.

RegeNer8’s added benefit is that it’s in the North of England, meaning I don’t have to have the time and expense of going to London.  As a direct result of Regener8 I have collaborated with York University on defining new culture systems, and we are building links with Reinnervate and Orla Proteins.

The 2 key benefits of Regener8 are that it is focussed on our market and has critical mass, there are a good number of members who are all operating in the field and membership hasn’t been diluted by trying to bring together too many sectors.

I would like to work with regeNer8 in the future on more strategic meetings on how members can work together to get technology into the marketplace and get people thinking about growing markets, applying technology and working together.”

Malcolm Wilkinson, Managing Director, Kirkstall Ltd

Drew Gertner, PhD student, Newcastle University

“I’ve been a member of Regener8 for about 8 months.  I attended an event in Newcastle in 2010, which I thought had a great mix of academics, industry and others operating in the field of regenerative medicine.  At the event I was introduced to academics and practitioners by Lucy Foley from the Newcastle University Business School. I am doing a PhD on science cities, and found that the regeNer8 event I attended gave me a great insight into the multifaceted discipline of regenerative medicine.  I would like Regener8 to help me to meet other academics in the future, and continue to read the ebulletin and attend events that are relevant to my PhD.”

 Drew Gertner, PhD researcher, Newcastle University Business School