About us - History

Spirogen was founded in August 2000 to commercialise its scientific founders' research into DNA binding molecules. Professors David Thurston and John Hartley and their colleague Dr Philip Howard had been working on DNA-interacting agents for over 10 years when they met entrepreneur Dr Chris Martin and formed the company.

Key Corporate Milestones

August 2000 Spirogen founded
October 2001

Spirogen moves to The School of Pharmacy and University College London

December 2001

Spirogen officially opened by Lord Sainsbury of Turville at The School of Pharmacy, London

March 2001

First round of funding

May 2003

Ipsen licenses SG2000 (SJG-136)

Second round of funding from Ipsen Ltd and Research Corporation Technologies (RCT)

Entered into Research Agreement with Ipsen in the field of Gene Targeting

April 2004

SG2000 enters Phase 1 Clinical Trials in the UK

First patient dosed in the UK with SG2000 (SJG-136)

April 2004

Professor Moses Lee appointed as Scientific Consultant

February 2005

First patient dosed in the USA with SG 2000 (SJG-136)

September 2006

Dr Barrie Ward appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors

January 2008

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre recruits final patient in Phase I trial

Q2 2009

Spirogen enters into evaluation agreements with a number of pharmaceutical companies for PBD based toxins for antibody drug conjugate development

October 2009 Spirogen regains development and commercialisation rights for SG2000 from Ipsen
October 2009

Spirogen enters into an option agreement with Celtic Therapeutics to fund the Phase IIa trials of SG2000 in Ovarian cancer together with the Vanderbilt ingram cancer center

November 2009

Dr Philip Howard appointed as Head of Targeted Therapeutics

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