RenaSci bolsters kidney disease and fibrosis capabilities with senior appointment

Nottingham, UK – 08 January 2020 – Leading in vivo pharmacology and consultancy services firm RenaSci, part of the Sygnature Group, have bolstered their Kidney Disease and Fibrosis capabilities with the appointment of Dr Wioletta Pijacka. Wioletta is an in vivo translational biologist with over 12 years of experience in renal and cardio-vascular biology bringing thorough knowledge in several different scientific areas including foetal programming in kidney disease, cardiovascular and neuroscience.

Wioletta joins RenaSci from AstraZeneca where she focused on the area of chronic kidney diseases. Prior to AstraZeneca she was a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol for over 5 years, following the completion of PhD at the University of Nottingham.

Over the years Wioletta has developed a unique area of research where she discovered the role of carotid bodies in hypertension and kidney diseases. She also has gained a wealth of expertise in developing fit-for-purpose animal models used in clinical translation.

In her new role as a Study Director at RenaSci Wioletta will be responsible for implementing and developing new in vivo and ex vivo models of kidney disease and first up will be setting up a slice model using kidneys as well as a surgical model of kidney disease.

Wioletta commented on her appointment: "RenaSci is a world-renowned in vivo pharmacology provider so I’m obviously very excited about joining the team. Also, with RenaSci being part of the Sygnature Group, the opportunity to create synergies with Sygnature Discovery’s capabilities in Kidney Disease and Fibrosis is one I am really looking forward to, it will be an exceptional service offering."

Dr Sharon Cheetham, Director at RenaSci, commented: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Wioletta to the RenaSci Team. She brings with her specialist experience and extensive knowledge of models of kidney disease and fibrosis which will greatly add to our existing capabilities. We are excited in being able to expand our offering in this area and further enhancing our integration with Sygnature Discovery."

RenaSci, founded in 2001, became part of the Sygnature Group in July 2018; an acquisition stemming from a long-standing mutual respect between the organisations and the opportunity to combine the two companies to benefit not only customers, but ultimately patients with considerable unmet medical needs in a wide array of therapeutical areas.

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About RenaSci
RenaSci provides an integrated blend of consultancy and experimental services to clients from all sectors of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry to help maximise research productivity and streamline drug development. Since the company was established in 2001, they have specialised in CNS, metabolic disorders, NASH, kidney disease and abuse/dependence testing; core areas of expertise where they have facilitated more than 30 NCE’s into clinical development and 10 drugs to the market. In July 2018 RenaSci was acquired to become part of the Sygnature Group of Companies.

About Sygnature Discovery Sygnature Discovery is a leading independent integrated drug discovery and pre-clinical services company. Private equity-backed since 2017, they operate fully enabled research facilities in Nottingham and Alderley Park, UK, housing more than 250 research scientists (over 80% of whom hold a PhD) and have an office presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. Their experienced drug-hunters possess all the professional skills and know-how required to undertake the most demanding of research programmes, and drive them from target validation through hit identification, hit-to-lead and lead optimisation to pre-clinical development candidate. Since 2011, 30 compounds discovered by Sygnature for clients have entered pre-clinical development and so far 15 of these have progressed to clinical trials (Phases I, II and III).

For further information, visit: www.sygnaturediscovery.com