About Us

Delivering next-generation oligonucleotide therapeutics

TargoPep is a biotechnology company creating precision oligonucleotide-based therapies for hard-to-treat genetic diseases.

Our vision is to transform the treatment landscape by delivering oligonucleotide drugs exactly where they’re needed, improving clinical outcomes and enabling more patients to benefit from the next generation of genetic medicines.

Targeting the neuronal delivery of oligonucleotide therapies

TargoPep is transforming the potential of oligonucleotide therapeutics into real-world treatments that make a difference to patients.

We are achieving this through our proprietary Advanced Delivery Peptide (ADP) platform, which enables the precise and effective delivery of oligonucleotide drugs to their site of action — improving therapeutic performance and enabling applications where current delivery technologies fall short.

Our approach combines deep expertise in neurochemistry, oligotherapeutics and medicinal chemistry coupled with innovative chemical matter to design and develop next generation therapies which address current unmet medical needs.

Targeting the neuronal delivery of oligonucleotide therapies

TargoPep is transforming the potential of oligonucleotide therapeutics into real-world treatments that make a difference to patients.

Bringing together the interface of medicinal, biological and formulation chemistry

TargoPep grew from the world-leading advances being researched in the Burley Research Group out of the University of Strathclyde’s Pure and Applied Chemistry. Under the directorship of Prof. Glenn Burley the team was looking into enabling the delivery of morpholino oligomers (PMOs) using short peptide-based sequences with tuned, non-natural building blocks. The team tied together the fields of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry by collaborating with Prof. Simon Mackay to apply validated drug design to these more traditional ‘biologic’ approaches.

The enhanced ability of these advanced delivery peptides to access the cellular space was impressive, with the work being led by Dr. Jack Robertson supported by Dr. Fergus McWhinnie. Progressing through Strathclyde’s world-renowned commercialisation process, business development expert Ken Fyvie was brought on-board.

Incorporated in November 2021, TargoPep is in the process of spinning out from the University of Strathclyde. Forming the core team Ken acts as TargoPep’s CEO with Fergus as CSO, and Profs. Burley and Mackay as non-executive directors.

Still actively researching new and innovative delivery methodologies, the team is supported by the BBSRC (follow-on funding) and the ESPRC (Impact Accelerator Account) which enabled it to augment its research profile and bring together a trifecta of chemical fields in biological, medicinal and formulation chemistries.

TargoPep is also supported by Scottish Enterprises High-Growth Spin-out Programme enabling its progression to commercial reality and success.

Team TargoPep

Drawing on >25 years experience of getting young biotechs off the ground, Ken Fyvie leads the commercial effort as CEO. Immersed in neurodegeneration and PD throughout his time in academia, Dr. Fergus McWhinnie acts as CSO.
With her breadth of experience in investment and development of life sciences, Dr. Isabel Dodd provides commercial advice.
With a specialism in marketing and communications in the health sector, Emily Buttrum provides strategic support.

Prof. Glenn Burley lends his recognised global expertise in oligonucleotides to TargoPeps programmes.
Prof. Simon Mackay provides invaluable medicinal chemistry input from his international and commercial perspective.
Dr. Darcey Black (founder and principal of TherapeutAix) aids in TargoPeps translational studies and R&D direction.

About Us

Delivering next-generation oligonucleotide therapeutics

Targeting the neuronal delivery of oligonucleotide therapies

Targeting the neuronal delivery of oligonucleotide therapies

Bringing together the interface of medicinal, biological and formulation chemistry

Team TargoPep

Operational team

Fergus McWhinnie

Chief Scientific Officer

Ken Fyvie

Chief Executive

Emily Buttrum

Marketing & Communications Lead

Isabel Dodd

Commercial Lead

Advisors

Glenn Burley

Non Executive Director

Simon Mackay

Non Executive Director

Darcey Black

Scientific Advisor

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