Tendon treatment company receives backing

A spinout from the University of Glasgow developing human and equine tendon injuries treatments has received seed investment from the Scottish government.

Causeway Therapeutics develops therapies for tendon injuries and disorders, known as tendinopathies. These are very common, accounting for 30 to 50% of all sporting injuries. The spin out’s founders discovered that a single microRNA – miR29a – plays a key role in regulating the production of collagens, proteins responsible for tendon strength.

Dr Derek Gilchrist, Causeway co-founder, said: “Translating our detailed understating of the molecular processes driving tendinopathy into a promising therapy has been a true multidisciplinary collaboration between scientists, surgeons and veterinarians in Glasgow and internationally.”

Feeling the strain

Around 10% of people will be affected by tendinopathies, usually caused by repetitive strain or major trauma. Replacement of Type I collagen with Type III, is associated with tendinopathy with a loss of miR29a results in increase in Type III collagen production. Causeway’s product, TenoMiR, replaces depleted miR29a stores. The investment, of £1m, was from Mediqventures, a biotech investment firm, and Scottish Enterprise, the non-departmental public body of the Scottish government.

As well as TenoMiR, Causeway is developing a similar therapy for horses suffering from the same affliction. Tendinopathies affect approximately 10 to 30% of competitive and working horses. The most common treatment is keeping the horse confined to the stables, but this is only effective in 50% of cases. Initial results from the studies have shown promise.

Kerry Sharp, head of Scottish Investment Bank (SIB), said: “Scottish Enterprise, through the SIB, is delighted to be co-investing with Mediqventures to help the company fully commercialise its technology. We have supported Causeway Therapeutics through our High Growth Ventures Programme to help with company formation, research and now investment to help it grow to the next stage.  We look forward to working alongside Causeway to help it achieve its potential, both in Scotland and internationally.”