Campus bio-tech firm set to link up with multinational drugs giant
The worldwide licensing agreement between Alimentary Health Ltd (AH), based at University College Cork, and Procter & Gamble (P&G), will allow P&G to manufacture, market and sell medication - developed following research and clinical trials by AH in Cork - to treat common gastrointestinal disorders like gastroenteritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
The treatment of such diseases is one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world. However, it was unclear yesterday how much the deal will be worth to AH.
“This deal is the culmination of a close working partnership with P&G and will turn us into a revenue generating company,” said Barry Kiely, AH’s chief executive officer.
“We are proud to be associated with such a leading multi-national.”
One of the medications understood to be covered under yesterday’s deal will be used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
The treatment - a particular type of bacteria - was developed following research and clinical trials conducted by AH.
P&G has used this research to develop a treatment in capsule form called Align which is being sold in a test market in America.
The success in this market will determine the future of the treatment.
P&G said it was excited to formalise their work with AH.
Rowena Pullan, P&G’s director of Global Personal Health Care Research and Development, said the company looked forward to continuing the collaboration.
AH is a campus company which is linked to UCC’s Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre which was established in 1999.
The centre is a Science Foundation Ireland-funded research centre based at UCC, with scientists and clinicians also based in Teagasc Moorepark and at Cork University Hospital.
They are pioneering the development of safe and effective therapies for intestinal disorders.
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