Neem Biotech, a Singaporean-owned biotech company, has announced it is on track to launch its first clinical trial for a drug to help people with cystic fibrosis.
The announcement was made during the opening of its new purpose designed facility in south Wales, which has seen Neem Biotech invest £2 million in equipment and a larger facility at Rose Heyworth Business Park, Abertillery.
The investment will create 17 new highly-skilled and has been supported by £225,000 business finance from the Welsh Government.
Specialising in extracting and manufacturing natural bioactive compounds for health applications, Neem Biotech developed a polymolecular drug in Wales based on compounds extracted from garlic to treat lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients.
The drug is currently undergoing final toxicological tests to support the clinical trial in Germany.
Dr Michael Graz, managing director of Neem Biotech, said that the trial was important medically, and that it marks the transition of the company from a small contract research organisation to a pre-clinical research biotech company.
Speaking at the opening of the new facilities, Economy Minister Edwina Hart, said: “Life Science is one of our key economic sectors and the Welsh Government is developing the sector through supporting business growth, encouraging innovation and providing access to finance and expertise.
“I am delighted that Neem Biotech is expanding in Wales. Their move into larger purpose designed premises and the expansion of their team will open up a raft of new opportunities for the business to grow, develop innovative new products and continue their high level research and I wish them every success in the future.”
Dr Graz, of Neem Biotech, said: “These are exciting times for Neem Biotech. We have very ambitious plans for the future, which could not have been undertaken in our former premises. Support and investment from our parent company and the Welsh Government has made this possible and I should also like to thank the wider life sciences community in Wales for their interest and support for our expansion plans.”
Neem Biotech is recruiting staff to drive the development of its pipeline projects, handle project management and clinical trial management tasks. In addition, the business is looking to recruit highly-skilled staff in the fields of chemistry and life sciences, project managers, administrators and skilled manufacturing operators.
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