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Bristol University graduate sells Ziylo firm for £623m Bristol University graduate sells Ziylo firm in deal worth £623m
(about 4 hours later)
A graduate who co-founded a company while studying at university has become a multi-millionaire after it was sold for £623m. A graduate who co-founded a company while studying at university could become a multi-millionaire after it was sold in a deal potentially worth £623m.
Dr Harry Destecroix, 31, co-founded Ziylo while studying for his PhD at the University of Bristol four years ago.Dr Harry Destecroix, 31, co-founded Ziylo while studying for his PhD at the University of Bristol four years ago.
It created a new technology which can be developed to treat diabetes more effectively.It created a new technology which can be developed to treat diabetes more effectively.
Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk's purchase means it now has full rights to develop glucose responsive insulins.Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk's purchase means it now has full rights to develop glucose responsive insulins.
Dr Destecroix said he hoped the sale will offer ground-breaking treatment for diabetics. 'Astounding'
Dr Destecroix, described the molecule could be the "holy grail" of insulin and said he hoped the sale will offer ground-breaking treatment for diabetics.
He said: "It wasn't a surprise when the discovery was made two years ago. When we saw the properties it had, we were astounded."
Ziylo, a university spin-out company, developed a synthetic molecule which works by binding glucose in the bloodstream more effectively.Ziylo, a university spin-out company, developed a synthetic molecule which works by binding glucose in the bloodstream more effectively.
Danish firm Novo Nordisk, one of the biggest manufacturers of diabetes medicines, will now aim to use this molecule to develop a new type of insulin which aims to help diabetics manage their condition more safely. The molecule is a product of 20 years' work at the Anthony Davis lab at the university, which specialises in molecular chemistry.
Danish firm Novo Nordisk, one of the biggest manufacturers of diabetes medicines, will now aim to use this molecule to develop a new type of insulin which aims to help diabetics manage their condition more safely.
The next steps will involve further research and work to create the new drug followed by clinical trials. It is likely to take about 10 years to come to market and the £623m figure is based on this potential success.
'Truly ground-breaking''Truly ground-breaking'
The glucose binding molecules discovered by the Ziylo team have the potential to lead to the development of insulins, which can potentially remove the risk of hypoglycaemia, when blood sugar levels fall below normal.The glucose binding molecules discovered by the Ziylo team have the potential to lead to the development of insulins, which can potentially remove the risk of hypoglycaemia, when blood sugar levels fall below normal.
In some cases this can be fatal, or cause other serious conditions like seizures or a coma.In some cases this can be fatal, or cause other serious conditions like seizures or a coma.
"Novo Nordisk, as the leader in the diabetes field, is the ideal company to maximise the potential of the Ziylo glucose binding molecules in glucose responsive insulins and diabetes applications, and it brings hope of a truly ground-breaking treatment to diabetes patients," added Dr Destecroix."Novo Nordisk, as the leader in the diabetes field, is the ideal company to maximise the potential of the Ziylo glucose binding molecules in glucose responsive insulins and diabetes applications, and it brings hope of a truly ground-breaking treatment to diabetes patients," added Dr Destecroix.
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Diabetes affects about one in 11 adults worldwide and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and limb amputation.Diabetes affects about one in 11 adults worldwide and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and limb amputation.
Type 1 diabetes is a disease of the immune system, which affects around 10% of people with the condition in the UK. It errantly attacks the body's insulin factories (beta-cells) so there is not enough of the hormone to control blood sugar levels. Ziylos was founded by Dr Harry Destecroix, Dr Anthony Davis and Tom Smart and has a total of 30 stakeholders.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of health problems such as heart disease, strokes and kidney problems and occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. It can be linked to lifestyle factors and diet. Other directors of Ziylo include the primary investor, Keith Macdonald and the Dr Andrew Chapman also led the development of this science.