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Ex-Pfizer scientists launch biotech start-up at the University of Kent

David Brown, formerly Director of Structural Biology and Biophysics at Pfizer, has been appointed Chair of Structural Biology at the University of Kent.

Professor Brown and four ex-colleagues from Pfizer will also expand upon their previous research links with the University by launching a new start-up company, Cangenix, from its Canterbury campus.

The arrangement will mean that students and researchers within the University's School of Biosciences will be able to exchange knowledge and collaborate with the Cangenix team.

Cangenix is a Contract Research Organisation that offers crystallography – a structure-based drug design tool – and biophysics services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

As part of its support package for the company, the University will provide a six-month period of rent-free accommodation.

Throughout the process, Pfizer has supported Cangenix with an offer of equipment purchase at a reduced rate and advice on the academic courses Professor Brown will run. It has also permitted the team to retain its portfolio of pharmaceutically relevant structural targets.

Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow DBE, CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, said: 'The University is delighted to welcome both David Brown as our new chair of Structural Biology and Cangenix to our Canterbury campus. We are very keen to facilitate enterprise within East Kent and this new partnership promises to deliver great educational, research and economic benefit to the region. Professor Brown will bring a wealth of expertise in structural biology and biophysics to the work of our School of Biosciences and the location of Cangenix at the University will stimulate both research and business opportunities.’

Dr Annette Doherty OBE, Sandwich Site Leader, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development added: 'We are very proud of David Brown and the Cangenix team for their achievements. We have been delighted to support them during the start up of this new exciting company. We wish them well as they develop their scientific business at the University of Kent.'

Professor Brown, CEO of Cangenix, commented: 'Cangenix is a great opportunity for our team to continue to working on our scientific areas of expertise, and provide exciting opportunities to collaborate with new clients. The School of Biosciences at the University of Kent is a great location with excellent facilities and opportunities for collaborations. The support provided by Pfizer and the University of Kent have allowed us to become fully operational in just a few weeks which has been key to retaining talent and generating new business.'

Contact: pressoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 1:29pm 31 January 2012