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Thirty years ago
Thirty years ago - July 25th 1980 - CRB was founded by a group of leading peptide research scientists from the Medical Research Council. Our company (which moved north in 1989, when bought by ICI, before a management buy-out in 2000 led to a move to Belasis Hall Technology Park in Billingham), is now the world’s second-oldest peptide manufacturer.
One of our core strengths, and the main reason behind our longevity we believe, is our progressive approach to custom-made research tools, whether that’s in peptide design, synthesis, modification or labelling, or antibody production. As a result, we have enjoyed long-standing relations with the world’s top ten pharmaceutical companies as well as world-renowned research institutes.
Recent achievements
In 2009, we were invited to become a partner in the EU’s BIOSCENT project, part of a pan-European programme of innovative research and development. CRB’s contribution towards BIOSCENT, which is involved in heart stem cell research, is the development of self-assembling peptides for biomaterials for heart patches and the use of peptide-directed antibodies to identify novel cell signalling factors.
In June 2010, we won the contract to become a national supplier of custom peptides and antibodies to the UK’s leading group of Research Councils (RCUK Shared Services Centre Ltd), including the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK. We have also been awarded a CASE award from the BBSRC in conjunction with Durham University’s chemistry department.
Over the last year, we’ve invested substantially in our peptide synthesis operation, and expanded our in-house capability to double the quantity of peptides we can produce. We have increased the different scales of synthesis and can accommodate more complex chemistry. |
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Partnerships
Capitalising on our commercial knowledge and experience, we have expanded the company by partnering with specialist biochemical businesses and research institutes. In the last three years, for example, we have teamed up with South Korea-based Panagene to distribute Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNAs), and with Cyanagen of Italy to distribute Chromis dyes. We also collaborate with Cambridge’s Babraham Bioscience Technologies to provide Monoclonal Antibody production.
Awards
Perhaps one factor in our success is that our company is owned by scientists with commercial backgrounds. Last November, both owners, Emily Humphrys and Alison White, were recognised by the prestigious North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, winning the Innovation through Technology category.
In the same month, CRB also won recognition at the region’s Business for Life Awards. Contested by more than 340 companies in the North East’s healthcare and life sciences communities, we won a Highly Commended in the Outstanding Growth Award. |
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Visit our website to find out more about us |
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We have come a long way in our 30 years of business, with tremendous support and loyalty from leading pharmaceutical companies, organisations and research institutes. To celebrate our 30 years of growth, we are launching two annual ‘CRB Awards’, in the form of sponsorship, to help other scientists succeed. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped CRB expand and grow.
The grants or sponsorship will be offered either to young science graduates needing help to pursue their research, or to scientists - particularly from countries which are less well resourced - to enable them to attend life sciences meetings and conferences that are often overlooked by the larger sponsoring companies and organisations. |
The first of our two awards, in 2010, will sponsor the Young Investigator Histaminologist at the 39th EHRS (European Histamine Research Society) Conference at Hatfield College, Durham University, 13th-17th July. Aimed at research students near the start of their scientific career, successful candidates are judged on the quality and originality of their research work. CRB are also running a stand at the Conference, and we’d be delighted to meet any of you who are able to make it. |
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Our second award is going towards the travel costs of a Masters or PhD student who wants to attend The EMBO Meeting 2010 in Barcelona, September 4th – 7th. Focusing on new discoveries and developments in the world of molecular biology, particularly evolutional and developmental biology and the rapidly growing fields of systems biology - with speakers from North America, Japan as well as Europe - the conference will be held at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in the city’s business district. |
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We would now like to hear about potential events in 2011 which we could help sponsor, bearing in mind our criteria. As we’ve sponsored an event in Europe this year, we’d be especially keen to hear about opportunities in the USA. Please contact Emily Humphrys, emily.humphrys@crbdiscovery.com, with your suggestions or requests.
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View our full range of products
Visit our website to view our full range of products, we offer products for the following: |
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