The University is to receive £1.2 million from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to help accelerate the translation of innovative medical research into industry and out to patients.
The funding, which forms part of a £23.2 million boost from the MRC to UK universities, was announced by Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson on a visit to the Medical School yesterday. The awards are part of three different funding initiatives, set up by the MRC to specifically target different innovation needs including:
Discovery award mechanism which will accelerate ‘blue skies’ medical research by providing support much faster than usual funding routes and will focus on building capacity and capability in areas of high national priority.
The Confidence in Concept (CiC) awards which provide flexible funding to universities to accelerate the transition from discovery science to viability testing and take promising basic research to the industry-academia interaction stage for the development of therapies, diagnostics and medical devices.
Proximity to Discovery scheme which helps universities to build partnerships with industry by developing new collaborations and ways of exchanging knowledge and skills.
In making the announcement, the Minister said, “Britain is a global science powerhouse and the Government is backing our world-class researchers like those at Birmingham University by protecting the science budget to the end of the decade. This £23m fund will help to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of research into the new medical treatments and technologies that will save thousands of lives.”
How will the University benefit?
The University has been the recipient of four MRC Confidence in Concept awards, dating back to the scheme’s inception and will receive a further £700,000 this year. From these awards the University has leveraged more than £8 million additional funding, around £4 million of which comes from non-governmental sources. The University has also received £200,000 in the new round of MRC Proximity to Discovery funding.
With the new funding, the University will create a Creative Leaders in Industry Fellowship scheme, providing a 6-12 month training programme for industry representatives to undertake short projects with academic leaders, alongside a series of seminars and workshops designed to inspire new ways of working.
The University is also one of 12 institutions nationally to receive an MRC Discovery Award, entitled Placing Discovery Science at the heart of Big Data. MRC funding of £300k will support plans to use patient data to determine the health impact on patients of carrying particular genes. It will do this by linking hospital records with genetic data, to look for a correlation between particular genes and health conditions. Birmingham is well placed to carry out this project as it has strong partnerships with 18 local NHS Trusts, covering 20% of the UK’s patient genome samples, and has strong expertise in genomics. Birmingham aims to integrate this health data into other developing large-scale databases and informatics programmes, ultimately improving patient care.
Find out more
Applications for the latest round of funding closes on 1st April 2016.
Find out more about the awards on the MRC website https://www.mrc.ac.uk/news/browse/cutting-edge-medical-research-ideas-receive-23-2m-boost/
The University of Birmingham’s expertise in health sciences has been in focus. Professor Julian Bion was among those interviewed for BBC Radio 4’s The Report to discuss the reality of a seven-day NHS, Professor Peymane Adab was quoted in The Daily Telegraph on effective methods for weight management, and Dr Hannah Batchelor was featured on BBC Midlands Today and regional radio stations talking about the ACCEPT trial for developing child-friendly medicines. Professor Iain Chapple and Praveen Sharma’s research on the link between periodontitis and a higher mortality rate in patients with kidney disease was covered in the likes of The Sun and Medical News Today, and Professor Robin May’s work with colleagues at the University of Sheffield into specialised white blood cells found in birds that can destroy a fungal infection in humans, received attention from the BBC, Independent, and Daily Express.
Following the ground-breaking news that LIGO detectors had observed evidence of gravitational waves, proving Einstein’s theory of relativity, the Guardian put an extra spotlight on Professors Andreas Freise and Alberto Vecchio and their crucial role in the breakthrough.
Research by Dr Claudio Tennie, Birmingham Fellow in Psychology, which found that young children will spontaneously invent tool behaviours to solve novel problems without the help of adults, much as non-human great apes have been observed to do, has received significant national and international coverage including the Guardian, The Daily Mail and the Discovery Channel.
Our public intellectuals have also been busy. Professor Isabelle Szmigin was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours and by The Daily Telegraph on the change of trend in gift giving on Valentine’s Day, and further afield, our work with the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia on the impact of its character and civic education programmes was highlighted in international media outlets including Bloomberg, Reuters, and the International Business Times Australia.
Birmingham could become the centre of entrepreneurial biotech businesses with a new purpose-built laboratory facility – the first of its kind in the UK.
The Biomedical Innovation Hub (BioHub) is a £7 million facility located on Birmingham Research Park at the heart of Edgbaston Medical Quarter.
The idea is based on similar shared working spaces that have proved a success in the US, which enable start-ups and growing medical companies to access the best laboratory facilities as well as business support.
The city is now being billed as the perfect place for the medical innovators of the future to get started – because of the host of new developments such as the Life Sciences Campus which is due to open next year – and the BioHub’s proximity to the University of Birmingham and the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Helen Miller-Viney, business development manager of the BioHub, believes start-ups based there could follow in the footsteps of companies like The Binding Site, which developed initially at the University of Birmingham and is now a Birmingham-based global business at the forefront of producing antibodies for the detection of cancers and other serious diseases.
Ms Miller-Viney said: “We will be helping to create the small and medium-sized enterprises of tomorrow and perhaps even the large enterprises of a few decades time – to create more jobs around the West Midlands. We do hold up the Binding Site as a gold standard of how a company can be created. It was the idea of academics, grown at the University of Birmingham and it is now a multi-million-pound business with its headquarters on Five Ways island.”
Until now biotech firms wanting to develop in the UK have gravitated towards Oxford, Cambridge or London, but Ms Miller-Viney believes the BioHub will be a real alternative.
“I know previous companies that have come about have had to go to places like Oxfordshire to find facilities,” she added.
“This will keep jobs and research in the West Midlands and ultimately create wealth.
“We have already got a lot of medical device companies in the West Midlands. We now need to nurture a second phase of that and grow some big medtech companies and this is one of those places where this will begin to happen.
“One company which came to look around had started at Birmingham University but because it couldn’t get the facilities here it relocated to Oxford.
“That business has taken off, has had to move to bigger premises and now employs 11 people.
“That sort of growth is dissipating out of the West Midlands but this facility, along with the Life Sciences Campus down the road, will keep it here. This is perfect for growing that type of company.”
The BioHub’s central laboratory is supported by a variety of specialist rooms for microbiology, a freezing capability of down to –150°C, a microscopy lab, a wet room with specialist cleaning and sterilisation facilities, and a cryogenic suite for housing liquid nitrogen.
Tenants will have the use of all laboratory equipment and the support of on-site laboratory managers.
An office provides hot-desking, high speed internet and administration facilities and the adjacent BizzInn offers additional flexible office space and meeting rooms.
BioHub tenants will also benefit from access to the network of businesses, research scientists and clinicians based at the University of Birmingham and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
When fully operational, there will be 24 shared spaces for individuals or start-up businesses to use on the ground floor.
The first floor is being fitted out as larger laboratory and office space suitable for small to medium-sized companies and start-ups that need to grow.
The BioHub’s first tenant, NanoTi, a Hungarian medtech start-up specialising in dental implants, is arriving in early 2015 and it is also welcoming Sartorius Stedim Lab as a temporary tenant.
Speaking about its role in the wider Edgbaston medical community, which is home to 64 per cent of the city’s healthcare economy and 180 medical organisations, Ms Miller-Viney said: “The idea is to build up a community of different businesses and become part of the wider research park facility, the vast majority of which are medically-related organisations.”
She added: “The university and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital are all within a few hundred yards.
“Then there’s the medical and dental schools, the School of Biosciences, the blood and transplant unit, the cancer research centre and the new Institute of Translational Medicine all within a square mile.
“It makes it easier for companies to get to and talk to the right people, do clinical trials and get funders.”
The next open day for prospective tenants takes place on January 21, 2015.
full article:
http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/health-news/birmingham-biohub-paves-way-growing-8279203
Analox Instruments Ltd develop, manufacture and supply analytical measurement systems (analysers and biochemical reagent consumables) for the scientific research markets.
If you own an electric car, you can now charge it here at the Research Park! Please contact Reception at the BioHub to book a time slot.
Zogenix is committed to developing therapies that address specific clinical needs for people living with CNS and pain-related conditions who need innovative treatment alternatives to help them return to normal daily functioning.
Zogenix is committed to ensuring the safe and appropriate use of our products through industry-leading initiatives to educate patients, healthcare providers and pharmacists.
Innovation is key to our success. In 2010, we were honored to receive the Most Innovative Product Award in the Life Sciences category from CONNECT. We take pride in our approach to product development, commercialization strategy and delivering results.
Patients needing dental implants or joint replacements could have fewer post-operation infections, meaning fewer would require repeat surgery, as a result of new technology coming to Birmingham. NanoTi, a Hungarian start-up company specialising in surface treatment for titanium dental and orthopaedic implants to combat infection, has been announced as the first organisation to reserve space in The BioHub – a brand new biomedical facility under construction at Birmingham Research Park in Edgbaston.
In the past 10 years the incidence of bone implant related infections has increased rapidly, especially in the case of dental implants. At the same time, the prevailing treatment – antibiotics – has lost effectiveness due to the increasing resistance of bacteria. Using an innovative proprietary electrochemical process, the NanoTi technology enables implant manufacturers to change the surface of titanium implants in a way that reduces the risk of post-operative infection. Implant manufacturers can either retrofit NanoTi equipment to their production lines or buy the surface treatment services directly from NanoTi.
Having secured funding to expand their growing business, NanoTi founders Miklós Weszl and Krisztian Toth, set about looking for premises at which to locate their UK office, and initially took up a Virtual Tenancy at Birmingham Research Park. The new building then became the focus of their attention. “The location of The Biomedical Innovation Hub at Birmingham Research Park provides an extraordinary environment for the growth of life science start-ups, such as ours, by helping them to maximise their innovation potential” explained Miklós Weszl.
The BioHub, due to open in October this year, is a brand new, fully serviced biomedical laboratory, specifically designed to provide entrepreneurs and innovative start-ups, such as NanoTi, with access to affordable laboratory facilities and equipment. The £6.8m development is jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council.
Helen Miller-Viney, Business Development Manager for The BioHub said “We are really looking forward to welcoming NanoTi as one of the first occupiers of this fantastic new facility for start-ups and small biomedical companies.”
The company will join the existing vibrant and diverse network of businesses, clinicians and the wider University of Birmingham research community based around the Birmingham Research Park site in Edgbaston.
Birmingham Research Park is a long-standing and successful joint venture between the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council. It is ideally placed in the heart of the Edgbaston Medical Quarter, a thriving cluster of medical and biomedical activity situated around the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the University of Birmingham’s College of Medical and Dental Sciences. The Edgbaston Medical Quarter is home to 64% of the city’s healthcare economy including 180 medical organisations, 44 GP clinics and routine care facilities and 80 hospitals and specialist care centres.
CEO of Birmingham Research Park, James Wilkie, added “As well as benefitting from the state of the art laboratory facilities, NanoTi will receive comprehensive business support from the team at BizzInn on the Research Park to help grow their operations in the UK and Europe. They will also be able to access the world-class cluster of researchers, clinicians and facilities at the University of Birmingham”.
For further information on The BioHub, please contact: Helen Miller-Viney, Business Development Manager, Birmingham Research Park +44 (0)121 414 9252, [email protected]
Notes to editors
For press enquiries, please contact Tim Yates on +44 (0)121 414 8635, [email protected]
More information on The BioHub is available at Birmingham Research Park
Learn more about The BioHub and BizzInn, in this interview with Helen Miller-Viney, Business Development Manager.
Small and medium-sized biomedical enterprises can benefit from the shared laboratory facilities and business support available on Birmingham Research Park. Grow-on space is also offered.
Doctoral Researchers and BizzInn Tenants, Blue Vine Consultants win the BQ West Midlands Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Two enterprising researchers from the University of Birmingham have been awarded the BQ Midlands Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2014. The event showcased some of the Midlands rising stars and recognises the most promising individuals likely to succeed in business.
Founders, Scott Hardman and Amrit Chandan launched Blue Vine Consultants in October 2013. Specialising in bringing renewable energy products to market their business provides strategic marketing direction and advice to companies, backed by tailored market intelligence reports and technical audits.
Humble in their achievements, when accepting the award Scott and Amrit were quick to point out the support they had received from the University of Birmingham, including mentoring and training on the BSEEN Scheme.
BSEEN is a joint venture between Birmingham, Aston and Birmingham City universities. BSEEN provided Scott and Amrit with a 6 month support package of training, funding and mentoring, as well as regular workshops and events. The programme is ERDF funded and runs until June 2015.
Following BSEEN, a continuation of support has been received from accessing the facilities and business support at BizzInn (Birmingham Research Park), where their company is based. BizzInn, is the business incubator run by the University of Birmingham’s Enterprise Acceleration Team and established to nurture ideas and help transform innovation to enterprise.
In particular, Scott and Amrit received advice from several BizzInn Associate Advisors on various issues; including Intellectual Property from HGF, company structure and accounting from Mazars and Market Research guidance from Accelerate Associates, as well as in-house business development advice from Andrew Cruxton and Paul Field.
Amrit also completed the University’s flagship Medici Enterprise Training Programme in January 2013. The course is run by the Enterprise Acceleration team and is designed to enable researchers to realise the commercial potential of their research.
This award illustrates the tenacity of both Scott and Amrit but also the ecosystem of enterprise support and advice available at the University of Birmingham which provides start-ups with the best possible opportunities to thrive and grow.
Scott Hardman said, “It is a real honour to receive this award, we could not have done it without the support of everyone who has helped and mentored us, including everyone at BizzInn and Birmingham Research Park, the BSEEN programme, and the guidance of Sukhdev Gill and John McKenzie.”
Ten emerging entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to shine on the night, talking enthusiastically about their business and what, in their view, it takes to be a success in business. Scott and Amrit, who were one of two winners on the night, will go on to join 7 other finalists from around the country and are invited to attend the MADE 2014 Festival Gala Dinner on September 25 in Sheffield – part of a week long festival inspiring entrepreneurship and expected to attract 4,000 delegates from all over the UK.
One of the eight entrepreneurs will be recognised as the BQ Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.
Visit BQ Magazine for to find out more information about the awards
Visit Blue Vine Consultants to learn more about the business
Visit www.bizzinn.org to find out more about the Enterprise Acceleration team and the BizzInn
Notes:
The BSEEN project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information, visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
The BizzInn is a key element of the new Birmingham Biomedical Innovation Hub being built on the Birmingham Research Park, and due for completion in 2014. The Birmingham Biomedical Innovation Hub is a £6.8m project (part-funded by the European Development Fund (ERDF), aimed at increasing the engagement of companies in the biomedical and related sectors with the University of Birmingham and encouraging access to affordable laboratory facilities.
United Kingdom Science Park Association News Release
Shortlist announced for UKSPA 30th Anniversary Awards
The United Kingdom Science Park Association has unveiled the shortlist for their 30th Anniversary Awards programme.
The six Awards cover the Most Successful:
- Innovation Location
- Innovative
- Company on an UKSPA site
- Innovation Partnership and Co-Operation
- Innovative Project on a Member site
- Technology Incubator/Innovation Centre and
- Design and Sustainability building or initiative.
The Winner of each award will be announced at UKSPA’s 30th Anniversary Summit
UKSPA Chief Executive Paul Wright said:
“The shortlist for the 30th Anniversary Awards celebrates the achievements of the sector, our partners, members and their tenant companies. The work undertaken on over 100 Member locations demonstrates world class innovation within the UK and shows how our members and their teams work together to create business success.”
UKSPA Chairman David Hardman commented that:
“Selecting the shortlist from such a high quality field was no easy task and I am particularly grateful to colleagues from across the United Kingdom for their contributions to this significant milestone for the Association.”
“The Conference, Awards Dinner and Exhibition in Birmingham next month will showcase the important work of the Science Park and Innovation Movement which over the last three decades has delivered significant economic growth to the national and local knowledge economies. The shortlist for the UKSPA 30th Anniversary Awards demonstrates the success of high-growth technology and knowledge based firms, their partnerships, initiatives as well as the innovation locations that support and nurture this success”.
The winners of the six awards will be announced at the UKSPA 3-0th Anniversary Summit Gala Dinner – sponsored by essensys – which takes place at the ICC, Birmingham on the evening of Thursday 10 July. The evening will be hosted by Dr Michael Mosley; writer and presenter of BBC2′s The Story of Science and the face of science and medicine on The One Show.
The shortlisted entrants are:
The UKSPA 30th Anniversary Award for Most Successful Innovation Environment.
- Bristol and Bath Science Park
- Kent Science Park
- Northern Ireland Science Park
- Sci-Tech Daresbury
- Surrey Research Park
The UKSPA 30th Anniversary Award for the Most Successful Company
- Ecologia – Kent Science Park
- Intelligent Energy – Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park
- Path XL – Northern Ireland Science Park
- PolyPhotonix – NetPark
- Smart Antennae Technologies – Birmingham Research Park
The UKSPA 30th Anniversary Award for Innovation Partnership
- Biorenewables Development Centre (York)
- essensys
- ra Information Systems – UKSPA CLARITY
The UKSPA 30th Anniversary Award for Design and Sustainability
- Liverpool Science Park
- SEaB Energy Ltd
- Sheppard
The UKSPA 30th Anniversary Award for the Most Innovative Project
- BEST Network
- Northern Ireland Science Park Trust
- Sci-Tech Daresbury
The UKSPA 30th Anniversary award for the incubation or innovation centre with the best track record of developing start-up and high growth business
- Imperial Incubator
- Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC) Sci-Tech Daresbury
- Springboard – York Science Park