Latest News
Consultation on the Government response to the FAWC report on the welfare implications of animal breeding and breeding technologies in commercial agriculture 26/11/2006
A copy of the FAWC report can be found at www.fawc.org.uk/pdf/breedingreport.pdf
and the Government reponse at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/fawc-breeding/consultation.pdf
and the Government reponse at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/fawc-breeding/consultation.pdf
Welsh company in global deal for pig gender technology 6/9/2006
OVASORT LIMITED
Media Release: Welsh company in global deal for pig gender technology
Welsh start-up company Ovasort Limited has signed a global deal with the owners of Danish
Bacon for a new genetic technology which could allow pig breeders to pre-select the sex of
new-born animals.
Ovasort, originally spun out of the University of Bristol Veterinary School and now based in
Wales, is undertaking a major research and development programme at Cardiff University.
The team aims to develop the world’s first low-cost, high-volume sperm separation
technology acting at the cell surface, allowing production of male-enriched or female-
enriched pig semen.
The technology could dramatically improve the commercial efficiency of supplying breeding
gilts (young female pigs) to the pig industry. It would also result in fewer male piglets being
born, reducing the requirements for castration or unnecessary slaughter.
Ovasort has now signed an exclusive global licensing agreement for the use of the technology
in pigs with Dansk Svineproduktion (Danish Pig Production) who operate as Danish Bacon in
the UK. The major Norwegian pig-breeding co-operative, Norsvin, will also work with
Dansk Svineproduktion on the collaboration.
The present research programme is directed by Ovasort’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Ian
Brewis, Lecturer in Proteomics and Bioinformatics at Cardiff University and expert on the
study of the sperm cell surface. Dr Brewis also heads the Cardiff Proteomics Research Centre
which employs state-of-the-art approaches to analyse proteins in biomedical research.
Ovasort has also just won a prestigious SMART Cymru Award from the Welsh Assembly
Government for the commercial development of this potentially very valuable new
technology.
The technology will produce specific molecules which bind together X-chromosome bearing
(female) sperm cells, leaving unbound Y-chromosome bearing (male) cells free to be filtered
from the sample. The bound or ‘agglutinated’ female cells can then be de-agglutinated
leaving two separate populations of cells for immediate incorporation into a conventional
Artificial Insemination dose of sexed semen. The technology also has potential for
exploitation in cattle and other livestock.
Dansk Svineproduktion is part of the newly re-organised Danish pig industry. Its main areas
of work are in pig breeding, animal health, nutrition, reproduction, housing and production
systems. Head of the Dansk Svineproduktion Department for Nutrition and Reproduction,
Neils Kjeldsen, said: “This patented technology offers enormous potential to livestock
farmers, and we are pleased to be collaborating with Ovasort in the pig sector, and to be their
licensee worldwide.”
Welsh Assembly Government Bioscience Sector Manager, Dr Bob Wallis, said: “We were
very impressed by the quality and experience of the Ovasort management team, and are
delighted that we can support this exciting Welsh-based company here in Cardiff. The
Ovasort approach to the discovery of new proteins at the cell surface could be decisive in
confirming the existence of sex-linked surface proteins in sperm for the first time and may
provide a means of selecting for male or female offspring. It is no surprise that they have
attracted such a major collaborator as Dansk Svineproduktion.”
Ovasort CEO Dr Ian Cumming said: “The advances made in the fields of genomics and
proteomics, along with the development of ever-more sensitive instrumentation means that
with the assistance of Dansk Svineproduktion we can address the problem of semen sexing in
a way which was not possible even two years ago. Levels of protein detection are now a
million times more sensitive, which means that the Ovasort technology can be exploited
successfully not only in pigs, but also in cattle and some other farm species on a low-cost,
high-volume basis which will deliver a product that the farmer can afford, and we will shortly
be seeking a partner for the cattle sector”.
Ends
Notes for editors
Ovasort Limited
Ovasort Limited is a start-up company which is based in Wales. The management team is very experienced,
having worked in multinational companies in the lifescience sector. The CEO has worked as a Director of a
cattle breeding company, and other members of the team have considerable experience in licensing and finance.
The company is dedicated to the identification of new proteins, and its research is currently focused on sperm
cells. It is envisaged that the company will diversify into other areas within the next two years.
The University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is committed to combining its excellence in research and innovation with a vibrant
enterprise culture. The University is working with government, industry and other partner organisations to
encourage the growth of knowledge-based businesses in the South West. In particular, Bristol has joined forces
with the universities of Bath, Southampton and Surrey to establish the SETsquared Partnership to encourage
enterprise, build new businesses and work more effectively with industry. As research-intensive universities,
these enterprise activities derive from their research base, although support is also available to entrepreneurs
from outside of the universities. With a combined research staff of 6,400 and research budget of £266 million,
the resulting contribution to the UK ‘knowledge economy’ is far greater than could be achieved individually.
The partnership offers:
• Enterprise training and education
• Support for new businesses from within and external to the universities
• Access to innovative research that could lead to new products and processes
www.bristol.ac.uk
www.setsquaredpartnership.co.uk
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching
and research universities. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern
facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University’s breadth of expertise in research and
research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences;
engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to
lifelong learning. Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of Britain’s leading research universities.
Visit the University website at: www.cardiff.ac.uk
For further information contact:
Stephen Rouse,
Public Relations Office,
Cardiff University.
Telephone: 029 2087 5596
e-mail: RouseS@cardiff.ac.uk
Sadia Haq,
Research & Enterprise Development,
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol
BS8 1TH
Telephone: 0117 928 8676
e-mail: sadia.haq@bristol.ac.uk
Dr Ian Cumming
CEO
Ovasort Limited
The Medicentre
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4UJ
Telephone: 01404 831 104
e-mail: icumming@ukf.net
Media Release: Welsh company in global deal for pig gender technology
Welsh start-up company Ovasort Limited has signed a global deal with the owners of Danish
Bacon for a new genetic technology which could allow pig breeders to pre-select the sex of
new-born animals.
Ovasort, originally spun out of the University of Bristol Veterinary School and now based in
Wales, is undertaking a major research and development programme at Cardiff University.
The team aims to develop the world’s first low-cost, high-volume sperm separation
technology acting at the cell surface, allowing production of male-enriched or female-
enriched pig semen.
The technology could dramatically improve the commercial efficiency of supplying breeding
gilts (young female pigs) to the pig industry. It would also result in fewer male piglets being
born, reducing the requirements for castration or unnecessary slaughter.
Ovasort has now signed an exclusive global licensing agreement for the use of the technology
in pigs with Dansk Svineproduktion (Danish Pig Production) who operate as Danish Bacon in
the UK. The major Norwegian pig-breeding co-operative, Norsvin, will also work with
Dansk Svineproduktion on the collaboration.
The present research programme is directed by Ovasort’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Ian
Brewis, Lecturer in Proteomics and Bioinformatics at Cardiff University and expert on the
study of the sperm cell surface. Dr Brewis also heads the Cardiff Proteomics Research Centre
which employs state-of-the-art approaches to analyse proteins in biomedical research.
Ovasort has also just won a prestigious SMART Cymru Award from the Welsh Assembly
Government for the commercial development of this potentially very valuable new
technology.
The technology will produce specific molecules which bind together X-chromosome bearing
(female) sperm cells, leaving unbound Y-chromosome bearing (male) cells free to be filtered
from the sample. The bound or ‘agglutinated’ female cells can then be de-agglutinated
leaving two separate populations of cells for immediate incorporation into a conventional
Artificial Insemination dose of sexed semen. The technology also has potential for
exploitation in cattle and other livestock.
Dansk Svineproduktion is part of the newly re-organised Danish pig industry. Its main areas
of work are in pig breeding, animal health, nutrition, reproduction, housing and production
systems. Head of the Dansk Svineproduktion Department for Nutrition and Reproduction,
Neils Kjeldsen, said: “This patented technology offers enormous potential to livestock
farmers, and we are pleased to be collaborating with Ovasort in the pig sector, and to be their
licensee worldwide.”
Welsh Assembly Government Bioscience Sector Manager, Dr Bob Wallis, said: “We were
very impressed by the quality and experience of the Ovasort management team, and are
delighted that we can support this exciting Welsh-based company here in Cardiff. The
Ovasort approach to the discovery of new proteins at the cell surface could be decisive in
confirming the existence of sex-linked surface proteins in sperm for the first time and may
provide a means of selecting for male or female offspring. It is no surprise that they have
attracted such a major collaborator as Dansk Svineproduktion.”
Ovasort CEO Dr Ian Cumming said: “The advances made in the fields of genomics and
proteomics, along with the development of ever-more sensitive instrumentation means that
with the assistance of Dansk Svineproduktion we can address the problem of semen sexing in
a way which was not possible even two years ago. Levels of protein detection are now a
million times more sensitive, which means that the Ovasort technology can be exploited
successfully not only in pigs, but also in cattle and some other farm species on a low-cost,
high-volume basis which will deliver a product that the farmer can afford, and we will shortly
be seeking a partner for the cattle sector”.
Ends
Notes for editors
Ovasort Limited
Ovasort Limited is a start-up company which is based in Wales. The management team is very experienced,
having worked in multinational companies in the lifescience sector. The CEO has worked as a Director of a
cattle breeding company, and other members of the team have considerable experience in licensing and finance.
The company is dedicated to the identification of new proteins, and its research is currently focused on sperm
cells. It is envisaged that the company will diversify into other areas within the next two years.
The University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is committed to combining its excellence in research and innovation with a vibrant
enterprise culture. The University is working with government, industry and other partner organisations to
encourage the growth of knowledge-based businesses in the South West. In particular, Bristol has joined forces
with the universities of Bath, Southampton and Surrey to establish the SETsquared Partnership to encourage
enterprise, build new businesses and work more effectively with industry. As research-intensive universities,
these enterprise activities derive from their research base, although support is also available to entrepreneurs
from outside of the universities. With a combined research staff of 6,400 and research budget of £266 million,
the resulting contribution to the UK ‘knowledge economy’ is far greater than could be achieved individually.
The partnership offers:
• Enterprise training and education
• Support for new businesses from within and external to the universities
• Access to innovative research that could lead to new products and processes
www.bristol.ac.uk
www.setsquaredpartnership.co.uk
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching
and research universities. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern
facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University’s breadth of expertise in research and
research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences;
engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to
lifelong learning. Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of Britain’s leading research universities.
Visit the University website at: www.cardiff.ac.uk
For further information contact:
Stephen Rouse,
Public Relations Office,
Cardiff University.
Telephone: 029 2087 5596
e-mail: RouseS@cardiff.ac.uk
Sadia Haq,
Research & Enterprise Development,
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol
BS8 1TH
Telephone: 0117 928 8676
e-mail: sadia.haq@bristol.ac.uk
Dr Ian Cumming
CEO
Ovasort Limited
The Medicentre
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4UJ
Telephone: 01404 831 104
e-mail: icumming@ukf.net
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