UroPharma, a pioneering MedTech company that is developing precision drug-device platforms for bladder health, is the latest business to move to Norwich Research Park. The company is set to launch the world’s first licensed direct-to-bladder catheter-based drainage and drug delivery system, in the next few months.
UroPharma’s mission is to alleviate the suffering of the many millions of people globally who suffer from problems such as recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), overactive bladder syndrome and bladder cancer. According to a recent Government report focusing on the burden of UTIs*1, in the 2023-24 financial year, there were 189,756 hospital admissions for UTIs in England which led to over 1.2m NHS bed-days at a total cost to the NHS of over £604m.
UroPharma’s patented technology can deliver medication directly to the bladder ensuring that patients receive the correct dosage directly to the affected tissue. Not only should direct targeting be more effective at treating the bladder conditions, but it will also avoid the damage done when patients receive medicine for these conditions orally, currently the most frequent treatment method. Oral treatments for urinary urgency have been known to result in dementia for some people. In addition, the growth of antimicrobial resistance is being fuelled by oral treatments for UTIs.
UroPharma expects to obtain regulatory approval for its urinary catheter in the next few months after which it aims to have it available for use in the NHS, followed by expansion into Europe and the wider global healthcare market.
The company’s view that the right drugs are being given in the wrong way has received strong support from scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and consultants at both the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Kings Lynn.
Co-founded by Howard Shapland, executive director, and Prof Scott Glickman, CEO, one of the key reasons UroPharma has relocated to the Park campus is to collaborate with the world-class microbiologists and translational scientists working at the four research institutes, university and university hospital.
The NNUH’s urology department has already established a strong working relationship with UroPharma and the move to Norwich Research Park will also enhance its long-established collaborations with Prof Sheng Qi at UEA and Prof Mark Webber at the Quadram Institute.
Prof Glickman said, “We are really excited to have relocated to Norwich Research Park because it has such great links to a wealth of expert scientists who are eager to help us achieve our aims, especially in the fields of microbiology and pharmacology. Our move to the Park campus will help accelerate our progress. The enthusiasm and vitality here is great and just what we need to progress.”
Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, the campus management organisation for Norwich Research Park, said, “We are delighted to welcome UroPharma to our campus, adding another highly innovative medtech start-up company to our community. Over the last three years, we have developed a supportive ecosystem tailored to the requirements of fast growth start-up companies like UroPharma.
“We have a unique breadth and depth of scientific knowledge and activity on campus for companies to tap into, especially in our specialist sectors of agri-food, health and the environment. This is proving to be attractive to businesses looking for partnerships and collaborations in the development of their innovations. We are looking forward to supporting the development of UroPharma’s business and helping it to achieve its growth ambitions.”
