Background
International biotech business, BioEDEN's innovation is the collection and
storage of stem cells from children's milk teeth - a non-invasive
technique that happens after the teeth have fallen out naturally.
Since moving onto the Campus in November 2006, the company has
grown and expanded its market base and is now active in a number of
international markets. BioEDEN has office and laboratory space
in the Daresbury Innovation Centre and is one of the first to use
new easy-access laboratory facility Innovation
Technology Access Centre (I-TAC) launched by STFC
Daresbury Laboratory in 2010.
This has brought the scope and flexibility the company needs as
it grows and develops with world class technical support provided
by STFC
Area of Activity
Stem cells enable all healing processes in the body, 'repairing'
damaged tissue by gravitating to areas of damage. BioEDEN is
working with a type of stem cell called Mesenchymal Stem Cells
(MSCs) which are responsible for tissue restoration (skin, bones,
muscles, ligaments). MSCs are pluripotent, meaning they can become
any tissue with potential future applications in the treatment of
heart attacks, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, and in
the longer term, with the possibility of repairing nerve
damage.
BioEDEN's customers are parents worldwide; by using the BioEDEN
service, parents are essentially taking out an insurance policy for
their children's future health. With research into stem cells
continually breaking new ground, a personal 'cell bank' such as
this will place customers in the optimal position to benefit from
advances in medical science as they occur and should their child
become affected by serious ill health.
In September 2009, BioEDEN entered three new markets - Mexico,
Panama and Columbia. The company also won a Merseyside Innovation
Award for the month of May 2009.
Why Daresbury SIC
Collaborating with Campus
partners has helped BioEDEN with a range of issues from raising
investment capital to recruiting board members and building a
network of contacts. The company is also engaged in
collaborative research with Campus stakeholder, University of Liverpool's
National Tissue Research Centre. It also has links to laboratories
in the USA and Thailand. The company points out that
Daresbury SIC is a community providing a fertile ground for
developing and sharing ideas, seeking synergies and forging
collaborations.
Also, the Campus' laboratory facilities offer the kind of scope
and flexibility the company needs as it grows and develops, backed
up with world class technical support typical of a government
research council such as the Science and Technology Facilities
Council (STFC) which runs the Daresbury Laboratory on Campus. The
Campus business support service has helped the company with a range
of issues from raising investment capital to recruiting board
members and building a network of contacts. The company cites the
benefits of being based on a Campus with an excellent and growing
reputation, and more specifically in the Daresbury Innovation
Centre, which offers a high quality image that enhances the
credibility of the BioEDEN brand as it develops. Most
importantly, the company points out that Daresbury SIC is a
community providing a fertile ground for developing and sharing
ideas, seeking synergies and forging collaborations.
Future Plans
BioEDEN aims to develop new markets, mostly in Southern Europe
(Portugal, Italy) and Latin America. In 2010, the company is
planning to open 10-12 new markets, one market a month.
NOTES:
BioEDEN consists of 3 parts: BioEDEN Ltd in the UK, BioEDEN Inc.
in the USA and BioEDEN Group (a holding). The first two deal with
customers, and Group does not trade but only controls finances.
Group (a holding). The first two deal with customers, and Group
does not trade but only controls finances.