BioVault
'Plymouth International Science Park has
been a catalytic location for BioVault.'
"Plymouth International Science Park has been
a catalytic location for BioVault. The company originated here as a
marine biology spin-out from Plymouth Marine Laboratories.
Initially, our scientists were involved in the cryo preservation of
marine molluscs for use in pollution monitoring. However, advice
and mentoring from the Science Park's financial director and
general manager helped to change the direction of the company and
transform our core competencies into a far more commercial
proposition. We have now embraced a much wider market and the work
we are doing here has implications for human health on a global
scale." Mike Smith, Managing Director BioVault
BioVault is a UK processing and cryogenic
storage facility for human tissue samples and the first in Europe
to use cryogenic freezers which are registered as medical devices.
Cryogenic freezing at minus 180º C in liquid nitrogen vapour
effectively halts the ageing process of cells, enabling human
tissue samples to be preserved for decades without deterioration.
It is vital to the development of stem cell research, which is
predicted to revolutionise the treatment of serious diseases like
Leukaemia and Parkinson's disease. In years to come, stem cells
could also be used to grow new organs outside the body, eliminating
the need for donor organs. Mike explains the technology behind stem
cell research:
"This is one of the most exciting and rapidly
changing areas of health research. Stem cells are, in effect, the
building blocks of all human tissue. In the last 20 to 30 years it
has become apparent that these cells, which occur naturally in
human bone marrow and in umbilical cord blood, have vast potential
therapeutic applications including treating some of our most
serious diseases. Scientists don't yet fully understand how stem
cell treatment works, we just know that it does. BioVault is at the
forefront of this emerging technology."
Already it is possible to collect blood from
the umbilical cord of a newborn baby and store it for potential
transplantation back into that person if he or she becomes
seriously ill later in life. However BioVault is working with
Virgin Health Bank to go one stage further.
"There is a one in 5000 chance that umbilical
cord blood will be needed by the patient later in life," points out
Mike. "Obviously, that's great news if you're that one in 5000 but
otherwise that cord blood remains in storage indefinitely. Virgin
Health Bank proposes a different approach whereby 20% of the cord
blood is stored in a private facility and the remainder is placed
into a public bank where it can be used to treat anyone, anywhere
in the world, providing that there is a match. If the original
donor needs treatment, he or she has access to the private store
plus either the remainder in the public bank, if it still exists,
or a guaranteed matched equivalent from the bank's global
connections. This whole approach fits with our ethos of striving
for the best healthcare for all so we were happy to become the
tissue bank for Virgin."
BioVault is also working in conjunction with a
German clinic that is pioneering the use of stem cells in the
treatment of type two diabetes with outstanding results. Stem cells
appear to adjust the body's normal functions to handle the
condition, vastly improving the sufferer's quality of life. As well
as its groundbreaking work with stem cell research, BioVault is the
UK's only cryogenic storage facility for human tissue samples. With
the introduction of the Human Tissue Act in 2006, the company is
increasingly being called on to provide tissue banking services to
hospitals across the NHS. One of these is nearby Plymouth Hospital.
Here not only is BioVault providing tissue banking, but the
hospital has also outsourced its entire stem cell processing
operation to the company in the first public/private partnership of
its kind.
The Human Tissue Act also states that all
human tissue samples remain the property of the owner, therefore,
hospitals are required to obtain his or her permission before
destroying them. The requirement to store inert material
indefinitely creates a problem of space for many hospitals, in
addition to proving a distraction from the primary focus of caring
for patients. BioVault provides a solution to this problem in
compliance with the requirements of the Act. Its facilities are
fully accredited by the Human Tissue Authority and the Medicines
and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, an executive agency of
the Department of Health.
The company regards its location in South West
England as a significant contributor to its success. "We are next
door to the fourth largest teaching hospital in Europe and this has
been a considerable help to us in understanding the needs and
demands of human tissue banking within the NHS. BioVault occupies a
6000 square foot site on highly competitive rental terms. We have
received fantastic support both from the South West Regional
Development Agency and the DTI, both of whom have helped to
facilitate our early success. The quality of life here means that
we have no problem in attracting the calibre of employee that we
need. Our commitment to Plymouth remains steadfast. For each new
clean room we install, the company makes a quarter of a million
pound investment in the region and we now have four of them. I can
foresee a time when we will have laboratories and processing
facilities elsewhere in the world but our hub will always remain in
South West England."