BigDNA Ltd

Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scottish Enterprise (SE) saw excellent potential in a vaccine delivery technology being developed at the Moredun Institute, but with funds being stretched, it was clear input was needed to get to the next stage. A combination of funding, expert advice and access to the SDI/SE network has seen BigDNA spin out into a successful, commercially-focused business.

The company 

Spun out from the Moredun Institute in 2007, and now based at the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, BigDNA develops human and veterinary vaccines for infectious diseases using DNA/bacteriophage vaccine technology.

The challenge

BigDNA’s relationship with SE began with an early Proof of Concept grant going into the Moredun Research Institute (MRI), where CEO and company founder Dr John March was working on a DNA vaccine.

Julia Thomson, SE Account Manager, explains what happened next: “When this money ran out, in 2007, we saw that the company needed to build on the research and work towards commercialisation, so we brought in a team of experts and spent the day conducting a round table to focus them on what should happen next.”

Additional funding was then provided to get them to this stage, with Julia working with the scientists over an 18-month period to help see through a spin-out, forming BigDNA.

“The challenge was how to take the IP from Moredun and form something else, a new business,” adds Julia.

The solution

SE funding played a significant role in getting BigDNA to where it needed to be, with guidance and professional input underpinning the process of how the new business would be structured.

“We continued to work with MRI and John through the spin-out, providing an Investor Ready grant to secure the IP assignation and professional advice on structuring the company’s initial investment deal and business planning,” says Julia.

“SE has helped us all along the way with advice and funding,” states Karen Jervis, Commercial Director, BigDNA. “It was at a GlobalScot event in Hong Kong where John met the company’s major investor, for instance.”

Adds Julia: “BigDNA has made good use of the GlobalScot network. The Hong Kong investor put £1 million into the business, which was matched by the Venture Fund.

”BigDNA has been very successful in attracting senior people with significant experience and standing in their field to the advisory board, including Lord Freeman as Chairman.

In addition, SDI/SE research and information has proved invaluable as the company explores new markets. “Julia has supplied market research reports which have been very useful,” says Karen. “I identify an area of interest and she is quick to come back with relevant information.”

The impact

Grants and funding have helped BigDNA explore set-up options and transfer IP, retain same research team, recruit Karen Jervis as Commercial Manager, access opportunities and expand relevant networks.

“We’re working in partnership with China Agricultural University in Beijing to develop a pig vaccine,” says Karen. “And an exciting development has been that we're now working with two industry pharmaceutical companies.”