Metrion Biosciences, a specialist ion channel contract research and drug discovery company, has been awarded £200k funding under the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Feasibility Award scheme.

The funding will enable further preclinical development activities to be undertaken on the portfolio of small molecule potassium inhibitors acquired by Metrion from Japan Tobacco, with the aim  of delivering a orally bioavailable, small molecule potassium channel inhibitor for the safe and effective treatment of a range of autoimmune diseases. This project is the first of a series of potassium channel inhibitor programs Metrion has planned, which are designed to deliver proof of concept data on immune-sparing drug candidates, for treatment of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.

Marc Rogers, chief scientific officer of Metrion Biosciences, said, “We are pleased to receive this support from the Biomedical Catalyst scheme, which recognizes Metrion’s contribution to R&D and drug discovery in the UK. Our team has extensive experience in the field of potassium ion channel drug discovery, having been responsible for discovery and development of three novel potassium channel therapeutics for the treatment of cardiac atrial fibrillation.  We are excited to begin work on this project.”