Cash aids fight against malaria

Mar 24 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A DRUGS development firm is stepping up its efforts against one of the world’s most common and deadly diseases, which every year affects hundreds of millions of people.

Sensapharm, founded by biopharma scientist Dr Neil Sullivan, develops molecular sensor technologies for fighting malaria.

The company, at Sunderland’s Business and Innovation Centre, recently received a £48,000 grant for business investment from One North East to help buy a high throughput mass spectrometer, known as a triple quadrupole LC/MS/MS.

The machine has enhanced the firm’s capabilities to extract, purify and analyse the malaria treatment drug artemisinin, which is produced by a herb called Artemisia annua.

Dr Sullivan said: “The supply of artemisinin is difficult to predict and our efforts are designed to help put stability into this market. We can do this by introducing validated analyses and assisting with the worldwide efforts associated with improving extraction and purification of this important compound.”

Grant aid has also helped secure two new full-time graduate jobs, taking the team to four. Dr Sullivan said: “We are very grateful to One North East for their help. The grant we have received shows their continued commitment to science-based companies in the region.”

ONE business finance manager Ken Samson said: “I am impressed with the cutting edge work that Dr Sullivan and his team are doing to aid the fight against malaria.”

The help is part of One North East’s Real Help For Business campaign, supported by The Journal, to help firms through the recession.

www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast  or tel: 0845 600-9006.