The approval from the FDA is the culmination of many years hard work...and further strengthens the position of MLA as the leading independent laboratory for the analysis of fats and lipids. Mylnefield Research Services (MRS) Ltd is delighted to announce that, following an inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year, its facilities have been approved for the analysis of lipids, including omega-3 fatty acids and fatty acid profiles, to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Similar approval had already been obtained from the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK for the analysis of lipids to both GMP and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.

This makes MRS, trading under the name Mylnefield Lipid Analysis (MLA), one of the few specialist laboratories in the world able to offer lipid analysis services to companies undertaking clinical trials, and/or interested in obtaining product regulatory approval in both the EU and North America. This news came as a surprise birthday present to Prof Frank Gunstone, a co-founder of MLA, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

MRS is also pleased to report that it has established an advisory group to provide strategic direction to the activities of MLA. This group will comprise experts from both academia and business including another co-founder of MLA, Dr Bill Christie, winner of the Supelco-Nicholas Pelick Award from the American Oil Chemists Society and author of 'Lipid Analysis', the standard textbook in the area.

In addition, the team has been strengthened by the appointment of Dr Terry Smith and Peter Clough. Dr Smith, a Reader at the University of St Andrews, is an internationally recognised expert in the area of lipidomics, and in particular its applications in parasitology and other pathogens. Peter Clough has more than 30 years? experience in the oils and fats sector including working for Karlshamns, Bioriginal and most recently with Efamol, and is currently Honorary Secretary and Executive Board member of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL). The group is completed by Dr Charlie Scrimgeour (ex Scottish Crop Research Institute), Claire Traynor (Head of Laboratory) and Dr Jonathan Snape (Commercial Director).

Dr Snape said, "The approval from the FDA is the culmination of many years hard work from Claire and her team and further strengthens the position of MLA as the leading independent laboratory for the analysis of fats and lipids. MLA has already established a reputation for accuracy and reliability built on an uncompromising focus on quality. The appointment of Terry Smith and Peter Clough will enable us to build on these foundations and ensure that we are able to meet the needs of the oils and fats sector and expand our range of services to include new lipidomic technologies."

Notes to editors

Mylnefield Research Services is a commercial affiliate of the James Hutton Institute. It specialises in crop research, analytical services and plant breeding. From its Dundee base it licenses plant varieties worldwide. Around 50% of blackcurrants and around 15% of the raspberries grown worldwide are varieties bred by MRS at the James Hutton Institute. The company is also a leading breeder of potatoes, with varieties accounting for approximately 5% of the UK seed potato production. MRS started life in 1989 and its ownership transferred to the James Hutton Institute in 2011. The customer base of MRS ranges from local to multinational companies.

More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media and External Relations Coordinator, Tel: 01224 395089 (direct line), 0844 928 5428 (switchboard) or 07791 193918 (mobile) or Lorraine Wakefield, Content Manager, Tel: 01382 568749 (direct line), 0844 928 5428 (switchboard) or 07964 777906 (mobile).

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