 UMIC launches Chemistry partnering service
Monday 12th February, 2007
The University of Manchester has launched the Chemistry Partnering Service, a free service for eligible SMEs and academics to showcase their biotech ideas and research before an expert panel, which advises on the viability of the ideas in a commercial context. The Service, which is a joint venture with the University of Manchester Incubator Company (UMIC) was launched with an inaugural event, at UMICâs Core Technology Facility in Manchester last week.
At the event Graham Richards of IP2IPO, said that one of the main problems facing SMEs is how to turn their discoveries and research into viable commercial ventures. Experts and entrepreneurs of successful start-ups also spoke about funding issues, and looked at the problems associated with developing a drug discovery programme as well as looking at the needs of investors and licensees.
On the Chemistry Partnering Service, Biotech Incubation Manager at UMIC, Dr Ruth McDermott, says: âThe Service has been created by the University of Manchester and UMIC, with the assistance of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), to increase the efficacy of translating new biotech ideas into commercial reality.
âWe believe the supply of high quality medicinal chemistry services is a critical success factor and we are delighted to be involved in offering help to biotech start-ups in the North West. By registering on-line with the Serviceâs ePartnering facility, SMEs are given the best possible start with access to a wide range of University and external academic and commercial expertiseâ
SMEâs biotech-directed discoveries and proposals will be considered by the Chemistry Partnering Advisory Board, which consists of leading experts in biotech discovery and chemical and pharmaceutical development. The Board then produces a report of recommended strategies for development, which provides advice on suitable commercial or academic partners to help develop these ideas towards the commercial proof-of-concept stage.
Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Manchester, Ken Douglas, who heads up the service and also spoke at the event, comments: “I found it extremely heartening to see how many potential partners and biotech SMEs attended the event. We hope that many academics and entrepreneurs will be inspired to work with the Chemistry Partnering Advisory Board to develop their ventures.”
Interested parties should visit interactive website www.chemistrypartnering.com for more details.
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