PetMedix a cool cat chasing Awards cream

Business Weekly Awards entrant PetMedix is applying 30 years of antibody research and the scientific work of two of its founders, Professor Allan Bradley and Dr Jolyon Martin, to develop new pet therapeutics against a wide range of diseases. 

Tilting at our Young Company of the Year title, PetMedix has already proved its technology is the cat’s whiskers.

Antibody therapeutics have been transformative in human medicine, treating a wide range of diseases including cancers, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory conditions.

The companion animal therapeutics market represents a $14 billion opportunity and one that is already embracing the promise of veterinary biologics (protein-based drugs such as antibodies). 

There are currently only a few veterinary biologic products on the market but regulators, purchasing groups, insurers, vets and pet owners have all been highly receptive to them and demand continues to grow. PetMedix intends to realise this potential for veterinary medicine and create the therapies pets need to treat the conditions causing the most harm.

PetMedix is built from the same world-leading transgenic technology that underpins the most successful and advanced human antibody platforms available today. 

The complete and intact immune system of its platform leverages the full potential of an animal’s own natural antibody repertoire – a feat not possible with alternate technologies – to maximise the safety and efficacy of its products. 

As we reported recently online, PetMedix has clinched a multi-year partnership with German heavyweight Boehringer Ingelheim to develop novel and transformative companion animal antibody therapeutics using the Cambridge company’s proprietary Ky9™ platform. 

As part of the collaboration, PetMedix will undertake discovery activities against a number of key targets and Boehringer Ingelheim will work to develop and bring these therapies to market.

PetMedix says its approach saves time and money in drug development and reduces the risk of certain key adverse events relative to other antibody technologies.

The company was founded in 2018, has grown to employ over 30 staff and recently expanded into new lab space at the Babraham Research Campus. 

CEO Tom Weaver said: “We are excited to be working with Boehringer Ingelheim on this project as we feel we bring complementary experience and expertise to this partnership.

“PetMedix has developed the leading pet antibody discovery engine and it will be through Boehringer Ingelheim’s global scale and industry leadership that these novel therapies will best be able to succeed and ultimately benefit animals and – by extension – their owners.”

The new deadline for entries is now May 31 and we are extending the publicised categories to include a Quoted Company of the Year Award and an AI Innovation trophy for companies in any line of business leveraging artificial intelligence for the greater good. To enter the awards online visit: www.businessweekly.co.uk/business-awards/enter-awards