High quality antibodies for the scientific community

About Vertebrate

VAL was formed by research scientists from the University of Aberdeen who have inside knowledge of the needs of colleagues working in research institutes, biotech and pharma industries worldwide. Consequently, the products produced by VAL will satisfy key research areas to a wide range of species including lower vertebrates and will allow scientists to undertake new research and help in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

We are committed to your success

Our aim is to enhance the lives of animals and humans through developing high quality monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for research and clinical applications.

“Our ultimate aim is to support research and medical science and improve animal health.”

If you can’t find the antibody that you need, we can make it for you.

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VAL Management

Vertebrate Antibodies Limited (VAL) is an emerging biotech company with a wealth of experience in the development of high performance antibodies to support the life science communities.

VAL was cofounded and is, presently led by research scientists: Ayham Alnabulsi, Beatriz Cash and Steve Bird. The combined expertise of the management team on hybridoma technology, bioinformatics and protein modelling formed the cornerstones of the business. Based on their wealth of experience, the team introduced fundamental technical modifications to the conventional methods, significantly increasing the efficiency and productivity of the technology as well as improving the specificity, reliability and quality of the antibodies produced. These improvements enabled VAL to expand their initial company plans from targeting human cancer markers to new territories such as the aquaculture industry.

VAL is a company formed by scientists to serve scientists. Their focus is to satisfy key research areas and cover a wide spectrum of veterinary species including lower vertebrates to allow scientists to undertake new research and help in the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. With a strong team of staff, scientific advisors, a network of international collaborators and distributors, VAL can meet the needs of the customers and make provisions for the demands of specific emerging markets.

To continue to thrive as a business over the next ten years and beyond, VAL will continue developing high quality products for specific niche markets. Their vision is to become the leading company in all of life science research markets through offering new and lasting products and solutions that make a difference.

Directors

Dr Tiehui Wang, Director of Biologicals

Dr Tiehui Wang is a leading immunologist with a research focus on regulation of fish immune system, immune stimulation, and novel vaccine development. Dr Wang will be the Director of Biologicals at VAL to establish and oversee the development and production of novel recombinants, including immune regulatory cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, immune stimulants such as flagellins, vaccine candidates, and disease biomarkers. Combining the existing knowledge and innovative antibody approach at VAL with the recombinant technology and the novel biologicals created by Dr Wang will provide solutions and reagents long sought by the aquaculture sector to advance research, assist in the development of novel diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

Partners & Scientific Advisors

Professor Graeme Murray

Pathology Department-Aberdeen University

Graeme Murray is Professor of Pathology and academic clinical speciality lead for Pathology at the University of Aberdeen. He is lead consultant gastro-intestinal pathologist to NHS Grampian and clinical lead for the Grampian Biorepository. Professor Murray is an internationally recognised pathologist with specific interests in gastro-intestinal pathology and cancer biomarker discovery whereby he has identified and validated tumour markers, some of which have completed a phase 1 clinical trial. Professor Murray will advise on potential tumour biomarkers and novel cancer pathways as well as assessing the clinical potential of VAL’s products.

Professor Christopher Secombes

Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre-Aberdeen University

Professor Secombes is renowned immunologist with a research focus on the immune system of fish. Current research is focused on characterisation of immune molecules of adaptive immunity in fish, to develop correlates of protective immunity and to aid vaccine development. A better understanding of the fish immune system is of practical importance because fish farming has expanded enormously over the last few decades, paralleled by many disease problems. For successful control of disease in aquaculture and to help sustain this expanding industry a panel of markers are needed to monitor infection, assess vaccine and immunostimulants performance to improve overall fish health.

Dr Bertrand Collet

Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique

Bertrand Collet’s main area of research is the antiviral innate immune system of salmonid fish and more specifically the role of Interferon Induced Genes (ISGs) in the immunity to viruses and the mechanism of action of antiviral DNA vaccines. He recently designed an efficient approach to generate salmonid knock-out cell lines by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in order to elucidate ISGs functions. Bertranad will advise on the development of biotechnological tools for the improvement of fish infectiology and diagnostic methods.

Dr. Aqeel Handil Al Jothery

Physiology Department at College of Veterinary Medicine-Kerbala University – International Marketing Adviser.

Aqeel Al Jothery is an assistant at Kerbala University. He is also as a Research Fellow at Aberdeen University. Aqeel research interest is focused on the energy balance – the factors that drive food intake, metabolic rate, total energy expenditure, and subsequent life-history patterns such as reproductive performance, oxidative stress, obesity, and aging. Aqeel will market the Company in the Middle East, and provide advice on future links and collaborations.