Celentyx

Spun out in March 2007, the company was created to bring the research of Professors Nicholas Barnes and John Gordon into a commercial drug discovery setting. 

In its early days, the university helped Celentyx secure grant funding and set up a modest laboratory at the Birmingham Research Park. “We essentially built the laboratory with an IKEA kitchen,” recalls Professor Barnes, Professor of Neuropharmacology in the School of Pharmacy as well as Director and CEO of Celentyx. “Since then, our turnover has grown every single year. That small lab soon became too small for us, so we moved into the BioHub.”

Celentyx specialises in bespoke drug discovery services focused on human immunology, spanning therapeutic areas such as autoimmunity, inflammation, immuno-oncology, fibrosis, and neuroinflammation. The company uses state-of-the-art technologies and processes developed by its founders to evaluate the potential of drugs in new disease areas. Studying human cells and primary tissues enables Celentyx to identify promising drug candidates more effectively.

Location plays a vital role. Proximity to hospitals, the NHS Blood Transfusion Service, and the University of Birmingham’s Medical School provides ready access to blood and tissue samples. 

The proximity to the university has also enabled a continuous exchange of expertise, strengthening both the University’s research output and Celentyx’s ability to innovate. Professor Barnes splits his time between his academic position and his work at Celentyx, and his contact with academics has been crucial to the journey. “Throughout the Celentyx journey, my academic research has improved beyond recognition,” he says. “The skills of the commercial sector are increasingly important to the university sector. There’s a lot of expertise we can tap into if required, and relationships with our academic network are as important as ever.”

The neuroinflammation field is growing in step with the company’s expansion. One research avenue is how the effects of antibodies on the brain may influence neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. “There aren’t any selective drugs that directly treat neuroinflammation at the moment, so being able to target that type of pathology should see a drastic improvement over the next few years,” says Professor Barnes.

Another area with immense promise is the use of psychedelics and drugs inspired by the pharmacology of psychedelics: Celentyx scientists recently published a review examining how psychedelic-inspired drugs can moderate neuroinflammation.

With demand for its research services increasing, Celentyx is now working with Research Park staff to expand its facilities and footprint, reflecting both the company’s substantial growth and the wider momentum in immunology research. “There’s a can-do attitude among the staff at the Research Park,” says Professor Barnes. “If you ask, ‘is there any chance we can do that?’ the usual answer is 'of course’”.