Iceni Glycoscience is an innovative platform company with world-class expertise in glycoscience (carbohydrate chemistry and biology), exploiting the use of glycans (complex sugars) in the areas of mutation-proof diagnostics and therapeutics. Every type of cell in our body has a unique sugar coating. Whenever anything such as bacteria or virus interacts with the body it needs to interact with this
‘sugar code.’ At Iceni Glycoscience we are developing ways to unlock this complex code to offer new ways to diagnose and treat disease. With mounting concerns about coronavirus mutations and rising incidents of influenza (human, equine and avian), the need for new and improved diagnostics and therapeutic modalities to address infectious disease has never been greater. These need to be capable of producing earlier, faster, more accurate results - something which glycoscience methodologies offer by working uniquely at the initial binding stage of a virus. They have the potential to pick up on new variants or mutations far quicker than tests which typically work by detecting viral nucleic acids or proteins, both of which require prior knowledge about the virus structure. Here at Iceni Glycoscience (formerly Iceni Diagnostics) we have been pioneering the use of glycoscience for diagnostic and therapeutic benefit since 2014, exploiting the natural biological function of glycans (complex sugars) as an alternative to protein or nucleic acid targets. In addition to our portfolio of in-house programmes, we provide bespoke solutions in glycoscience R&D, nanoparticle technology and bioconjugation chemistry. We are open to engagement with the biotech and pharma sectors, and Government-sponsored research organisations globally, to provide our unique expertise on a contract service basis.
