OBodies attracts top talent for new therapeutic and diagnostic innovations

Nov. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Hamilton-based biotechnology company OBodies Limited today announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Liddament to the position of Research Manager.  Dr. Liddament, a leading expert in therapeutic protein and antibody engineering, is charged with developing OBodies’ unique proprietary technology into products.

OBodies are a novel class of antibody-like biopharmaceuticals, derived from naturally occurring proteins, which can be engineered for a wide range of specific therapeutic and diagnostic applications.  OBodies have the potential to enable new ways of treating and diagnosing diseases not possible with antibodies.  OBodies is a spin-out company formed by WaikatoLink Limited, the technology transfer office of the University of Waikato.

Mark Stuart, the Chief Executive of WaikatoLink says, “It’s a really exciting time for OBodies.  Dr. Liddament’s expertise in protein engineering and experience in leading biotech and Big Pharma will accelerate the development of a range of next-generation biopharmaceuticals based on OBodies’ technology.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Liddament added, "OBodies has developed a truly innovative technology with unique potential in the industry.  I’m delighted to join the company and excited to be given the opportunity to contribute to the development of this novel class of biopharmaceuticals. ”

Dr. Liddament is a graduate of The University of Cambridge where he earned his PhD for the development of a novel protein engineering technology.  He was most recently Senior Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline, during which time he invented a novel screening technology and optimised their proprietary domain antibody platform.  Prior to GSK, he was a Research Scientist at MedImmune (part of the AstraZeneca group; previously called Cambridge Antibody Technology), where he worked in technology development and then drug discovery on numerous therapeutic programs.

OBodies is working in one of the fastest growing market segments in biotechnology.  Mark Stuart says, "It is estimated there are over 10,000 separate antibodies used in industrial research, clinical diagnostics and therapeutic applications today.  The global therapeutic and diagnostic market targeted by OBodies is worth US$95 billion alone.”

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About OBodies
OBodies are a novel class of antibody-like biopharmaceuticals. Derived from naturally-occurring proteins, they can be engineered for a wide range of specific therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Due to their small size and superior tissue penetration, OBodies can reach therapeutic targets not accessible to antibodies. OBodies have an extended shelf-life, as a result of their superior stability, and can retain their function in harsh environments where antibodies may fail. These properties, coupled with their ease of production in bacteria, make the OBodies platform technology a robust, flexible system for the development of a unique class of protein drugs and diagnostics. OBodies is a spin-out company formed by WaikatoLink Limited, the technology transfer office of the University of Waikato.

www.obodies.co.nz