Drug company wins £2.4m grant to fund trials of treatment for fatal disease

The potential drug, called SMT C1100, was discovered by Summit’s chemistry researchers at Milton Park, near Didcot, based on pioneering research by an Oxford University team led by Prof Kay Davies.

Also benefitting from grants from the UK Biomedical Catalyst Fund is Orthox, another Oxford University spin-out based at Milton Park, which will get £469,000 to complete development and carry out clinical testing on its knee replacement, made from a synthetic material which imitates spider silk.

The grants aim to boost the life-sciences sector by supporting opportunities that demonstrate the highest scientific and commercial potential.

About 1,500 boys and young men in the UK have DMD, and are not expected to live beyond their late 20s.

There is no cure and Summit’s treatment has been given ‘orphan drug’ status by regulators, to speed up the testing process. Trials are expected to start later this year.

Chief executive Glyn Edwards said: “This award recognises the promise of SMT C1100 as a life-changing drug for boys with this devastating disease.”

Mr Edwards said the future looked rosy for Summit, which had shrunk its workforce from 40 to 13 during the recession, but has since grown to 20. It has another drug in trials, for treating the hospital superbug C. Difficile.

Mr Edwards added: “It takes ten years or longer to develop a new drug. Companies always need money to get to the next stage and that became more difficult.

“We had to shut our chemistry labs to concentrate on developing our two drugs, but fortunately the whole team was able to move to another company, Carbosynth, which also moved into our labs.”

Orthox chief executive Nick Skaer said: “We could potentially provide a ground-breaking solution to knee cartilage issues faced by people leading longer, more active lives.”

The grants are part of a £26m package which was announced by Science Minister David Willetts.