NEPAF attracts Protein Forest

The North East Proteome Analysis Facility (NEPAF) has attracted interest from

, a

, USA-based research firm specialising in Proteomics.

According to the firm, the proteomics industry (the study of protein structures and interactions) was worth $6.7bn (£4.2bn) last year and it is estimated the industry could be worth around $19.4bn (£12.2bn) by 2014.

The company plans to work with NEPAF in Newcastle to develop equipment and software in this field. The firm said that it will initially employ two people in the North East and expects to bring additional research contracts to NEPAF as demand for its services increases.

The partnership will also provide researchers at the centre with access to results of the firm’s work.

James Hainsworth, technical support manager at Protein Forest said: ‘The European division will be headquartered in Newcastle and will support sales, product demonstrations, applications development and collaborative projects with customers across Europe.’

‘One North East’s inward investment team played a crucial role in alerting us to the specialist facilities at NEPAF, which will enhance the opportunities we are able to offer customers.’

NEPAF, which is funded by One North East and the European Regional Development Fund, provides access to equipment, techniques and expertise for the use of proteomics in drug development and manufacture.

Dr Glen Kemp, programme manager at NEPAF, said: ‘The UK is a market leader in Proteomics and there aren’t many facilities in the world that can rival the equipment and expertise available here in Newcastle.

‘Protein Forest’s technology will be a great asset for us, it complements the capabilities available at the NEPAF facilities and the partnership is already creating new opportunities for us to exploit.’