Universities, founders and investors get behind Government’s spinout boom ambition

 Universities, founders and investors have thrown their weight behind the Government’s bid to boost growth by converting more of the UK’s world-leading research into successful businesses at the One Year, One Mission event at the Tate Modern to mark the anniversary of the Independent Review of Spinouts.

Apini Secures Major Investment as Part of Slingshot Therapeutics Launch

Apini, a spinout from The University of Manchester and the first programme launched through newly formed Slingshot Therapeutics Limited (“Slingshot”), is poised to accelerate the development of its promising small molecule therapy for inflammatory diseases.

Innovation Factory announces strong end of year results

The University of Manchester Innovation Factory (UoMIF) has announced promising end-of-year results for the 2023/24 financial year despite challenging market conditions.

Manchester launches ‘Sister’, a new innovation district

Manchester’s new £1.7bn innovation district and neighbourhood opens the doors to its first building, while unveiling its new name as Sister. 

The Skin Diary acquires CGSkin in mission to shake up skincare space

The Skin Diary, the anti-ageing skincare solutions provider, has acquired CGSkin Limited, a spinout born from the collaborative efforts of The University of Manchester and renowned dermatologists, Dr Tamara Griffiths and Professor Chris Griffiths. 

New project receives funding to boost regional innovation in Greater Manchester

A collaborative project aimed at strengthening the commercialisation of research in Manchester and Salford has been awarded funding through the Connecting Capability Fund (CCF) from the Research England Development (RED) Fund.

University of Manchester recognised for spinout best practice by Research England

The University of Manchester is proud to be included in the initial list of adopting institutions for the UK Government's spinout best practices, as published today by Research England, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Watercycle Technologies Selected to Demonstrate Cutting-Edge Lithium Recovery Technology in Chile

Watercycle Technologies Ltd, a spinout from The University of Manchester, is a UK-based climate tech company specialising in developing high-yield, low-cost mineral recovery systems. 

University of Manchester Continues to be a National Leader in Knowledge Exchange

The University of Manchester has achieved the highest possible score for its work with intellectual property and commercialisation, research partnerships and public and community engagement and the Innovation Factory has been recognised with the highest rating in IP and Commercialisation in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) rating by Research England.

Academic to Entrepreneur: Creating Impact with Your Research

An Interview with Marion Bernard, CIO at Northern Gritstone

Recognition for Freddy Guemeni as a World Leader in IP Strategy by IAM 300

AI’s Role in Emerging Technologies

Artificial intelligence has significantly shaped our vision for the future, not only in it’s more traditional forms but also in the other critical areas such as Renewables/Sustainability, Biotech/Healthcare Innovations, and AR/VR. Find out how it is improving the world around us.

Celebrating Our Role in UoM’s Times Higher Education Impact Rankings Success

Independent Review of University Spinout Companies

The University of Manchester welcomes the Independent Review of University Spinout Companies, published in November 2023, which provides important guidance on the pathway to building a world-leading innovation ecosystem.

Boosting UK Software Spinouts

Universities and investors have joined forces to boost the number of software spinouts from academic innovations by recommending faster deals with less friction, built for rapid scaling.

Music in Mind Remote launches UK first centre of excellence

Music in Mind Remote, a spinout company from The University of Manchester’s Innovation Factory, has been awarded over £1m for the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia hosted by Manchester Camerata.

Clin-e-cal's ClipTone System Receives Overwhelming Praise from Focus Group

This World Asthma Day, we're shining a light on The University of Manchester's respiratory solutions spinout, Clin-e-cal, and their groundbreaking innovation: the ClipTone System.

UoM researchers unveil cutting-edge ruthenium catalyst

Researchers at The University of Manchester have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in catalyst technology.

Phagenesis, a UoM Spinout, closes a $42M Financing Round

Phagenesis, a medical device company specialising in the treatment of swallowing disorders, successfully closes a $42M Series D financing round led by EQT Life Sciences and Sectoral Asset Management.

TenU announces new Chair

TenU, the international collaboration of ten technology transfer offices (TTOs) of the world’s leading universities, today announces the appointment of Tim Haines, Executive Partner and Managing Director at Abingworth LLP, a leading global life sciences venture investment firm, as its new Chair.

SmartIR introduces SmartSat

In a groundbreaking venture at the intersection of aerospace innovation and infrared technology, SmartIR proudly introduces SmartSat: a two-year project set to redefine spacecraft thermal control.

MATcelerate ZERO - A Unique Partnership to Accelerate Climate Solutions

Introducing MATcelerate ZERO: Accelerating Carbon Net-Zero Through Advanced Materials

PharmaKure win: MHRA Grants Clinical Trial Authorisation

UoM IP attracts largest European semiconductor funding round

Prof Graham Lord Joins Innovation Factory Board

Professor Graham Lord, the Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of Manchester, has joined the Board of the University’s Innovation Factory.

Introducing Pellamex - A Drink For Your Dry Skin

Curapel introduces their latest product, Pellamex – a breakthrough nutritional supplement for dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin.

Revolutionary Breakthrough in 2D Material Transfer

This revolutionary advancement in 2D material transfer, brought to you by the 2D Courier team, promises to reshape the landscape of electronic device commercialisation.

Independent Review of University Spinout Companies: The University of Manchester Response

The University of Manchester welcomes the Independent Review of University Spinout Companies published today (21st November).

PharmaKure Submits MHRA Clinical Trial Application

PharmaKure submits MHRA CTA for Phase 2a Clinical Trial of PK051 in patients with mild cognitive impairment 

UoM (and the Innovation Factory) secure £2.7m through Research England

The University of Manchester’s Innovation Factory highly rated by Research England

The University of Manchester’s Innovation Factory highly rated by Research England in IP and commercialisation.

Link Biologics and Théa Open Innovation enter partnership to develop Link_TSG6 for Dry Eye Disease

UoM spinout Link Biologics Limited and Théa Open Innovation have announced that they have entered into an agreement to co-develop Link_TSG6 for the treatment of Dry Eye Disease (DED) and other ophthalmology indications.

Commercialise Your Cancer Research - Out of the Lab, and in to the Treatment Room.

Do you have a cancer research project that could improve early diagnosis, treatment or preventative care? Find out here how to commercialise that research in order to bring it to market, and create world-changing impact.

Celebrating collaboration across the Greater Manchester ecosystem

The ERDF Research & Innovation (R&I) Health Accelerator programme is coming to a close, having supported over 60 companies, creating 35 research collaborations and delivering more than 25 events across the city-region and beyond.

Pawel Piotrowicz gives a talk to the DCS on IPRs

Pawel Piotrowicz (UK and European Patent Attorney, Venner Shipley) discusses the why, how and when with regards to protecting your intellectual property in Computer Science.

New independent national report spotlights rapid recent spinout growth

The Royal Academy of Engineering’s annual independent report, Spotlight on Spinouts 2023, reveals that The University of Manchester (UoM) has shown the greatest growth among UK universities in the proportions of their spinout populations in the past two years.

World IP Day: Women and IP

This year, on World IP Day, we celebrate Women and IP. Take a look at some of our ground-breaking female-led projects here.

Leading Universities and Investors Launch Set of Recommendations for the Innovation Sector

The UK’s potential as a Science Superpower has been given a significant boost today with the launch of The USIT Guide, a unique guidance that will accelerate and support the founding of a new generation of start-ups.

Complement Therapeutics Secures €72 Million in Series A Financing

Complement Therapeutics GmbH (CTx), a preclinical stage biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics for complement mediated diseases, today announced the completion of a €72 million Series A financing.

CareLoop Health Graduates from KQ LABS, the Digital Health Accelerator Programme

CareLoop Health, a digital therapeutics company using software to transform mental healthcare, has graduated from the esteemed KQ Labs Accelerator Programme.

Two Innovation Factory startups included in leading European top ten list of young tech spinout companies

Two startup businesses from the University of Manchester Innovation Factory have been named in a top ten of ‘university spinouts to watch’. The list is in Sifted, Europe’s influential media monitor of European tech startups.  Backed by the Financial Times, Sifted is the leading media brand for the European startup community.

TenU Appoints New President

TenU, the collaboration of leading UK, US and mainland European technology transfer organisations, has appointed Andrew Wilkinson, CEO of the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, as its new president. Andrew takes over the role from Anne Lane, CEO of UCL’s technology transfer company UCLB.

Recruitment underway for significant asthma technology study at University of Manchester

Recruitment is underway for a significant research study examining how asthma technology, developed by British respiratory health technology start-up Clin-e-cal, influences inhaler technique and asthma symptoms. The randomised clinical study, which is funded through an Asthma + Lung UK and NIHR research grant, is being led by Professor Clare Murray, professor of paediatric respiratory medicine at the University of Manchester, and Asthma Programme Lead at the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre.

Another Impressive Financial Year for Manchester-Born Spinouts

Ten brand new Manchester-based biomedical, science and engineering companies have been created over the past year by The University of Manchester Innovation Factory, producing cutting-edge technology and services which will benefit societies around the world.

CareLoop Health accepted on prestigious digital health accelerator programme

Digital Therapeutics spinout, CareLoop Health, joins KQ Labs programme, for exciting early-stage start-ups using data as a core part of their business model to improve human health.

Watercycle Technologies wins Innovate UK grant for lithium extraction

Watercycle Technologies has won a £500,000 Innovate UK Smart Grant, in partnership with Cornish Lithium, to test its ground-breaking direct lithium extraction (DLE) process in Cornwall.

Innovation Factory signs MoU with SRTIP

The Innovation Factory has recently signed an MoU with SRTIP, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP, which will lead to acceleration of global impact.

MHRA awards Complement Therapeutics Innovation Passport for CTx001 to accelerate Gene Therapy for Geographic Atrophy

Phagenesis Launches Phagenyx Neurostimulation System in the U.S.

Phagenesis Ltd has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a De Novo request for the Phagenyx® Neurostimulation System, a first-of-its-kind therapy that uses pharyngeal electrical stimulation to restore swallowing control in patients with severe dysphagia post stroke. The company is now preparing a targeted launch in the U.S.

Graphene electrode - water molecule splitting

Scientists discover they can pull water molecules apart using graphene electrodes

Investor Conference 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Mi-Trial Launches Innovative New Clinical Trials App And Portal To Improve Trial Participation And Outcomes

Mi-Trial, a new company which has developed an innovative clinical trial companion system and app, has recently spun out from the University of Manchester with support from Elaros 24/7 Limited, Medicines Evaluation Unit Limited and the University of Manchester Innovation Factory.

Northern Gritstone backs spinout, Imperagen: a University of Manchester Life Science Business

Imperagen has developed a unique technology to accelerate the design, optimisation, and validation of novel enzymes for large molecular drug discovery. Northern Gritstone, along with IQ Capital, has led a £3.5 million Seed Round to fund the initial spin out of Imperagen from University of Manchester. 

Watercycle Technologies completes investment round with Aer Ventures

Team at Innovation Factory run for homeless charity, Coffee4Craig

Northern Gritstone secures first close of £215m ahead of making its first investments

Northern Gritstone, the new investment business focused on university spin-outs in the north of England, today announces a first close of £215m having seen strong interest from investors in its proposition.

Complement Therapeutics raises 5 million seed financing

Complement Therapeutics Ltd raises EUR 5 Million Seed Financing by BGV and Forbion and appoints Dr Rafiq Hasan as CEO

ReCon2 are interviewed by Packaging Europe about their recycling revolution

In order to make the plastics value chain truly circular, it’s crucial that the industry is able to measure the level of recycled content in packs accurately and efficiently. Project lead Mike Shaver is interviewed by Europe's innovative packaging publication about revolutionising recycling through quantifying and validating recycled content in plastics and plastic packaging.

Promising novel treatment for Dry Eye Disease revealed by new research

Apply now! BBSRC ICURe Lean Launch (Deadline 28.01.22)

handl Group takes on UoM spinout & wellbeing specialists Robertson Cooper

Leading outsourced services provider, handl Group, has acquired organisational health and wellbeing specialist, Robertson Cooper.

TaBrix joins forces with TB Alliance

TaBriX and The University of Manchester are working with TB Alliance to develop novel drugs to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis

Senior Advisor – EMIT (Energy Materials Innovation and Translation)

A consortium of Universities of Cambridge, Manchester, UCL and the Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials research and innovation are working together to accelerate the adoption of advanced ‘energy materials’ by UK industry. 

Digital Health Series: IP for Digital Health technologies – Part 2

Part 2 of the Digital Health series is an in-person networking event for digital health innovators on Tuesday 30th November. At this event, we will hear from SME’s that have taken their digital health innovations to market in Greater Manchester and beyond. We will also have a workshop-style group discussion about the example case studies introduced in Part 1's webinar.

TenU Hosts Social Ventures

TenU Hosts is a series of events offering opportunities for US and UK policymakers, thought leaders and leading practitioners to hold topical conversations in research commercialisation.

Translational Research at Manchester 2021 Event

Following a successful launch in 2019 and the renewal of the University’s Wellcome Trust Translational Partnership Award (TPA), Translation Manchester has announced that they will be hosting the “Translational Research at Manchester 2021” event on 8th-9th December this year.

Digital Health Series: IP for Digital Health technologies – Part 1

The ERDF R&I Health Accelerator project is delivering a two-part digital health series on IP for Digital Health Technologies.This Digital Health Series is targeted at the multi-disciplinary Digital Health sector including clinicians, researchers, and scientists with a wide range of expertise in healthcare, engineering, social sciences, public health, health economics and data managemen

Introduction to NICE Support and Services: Online event

The ERDF R&I Health Accelerator project is delivering a by invitation-only event for SMEs enrolled for support.

Record Year for The University of Manchester Innovation Factory

Record results have been announced by the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, the organisation dedicated to driving commercialisation of innovations and intellectual property originating from The University of Manchester (UoM). 

Manchester’s SmartIR Signs Contract with European Space Agency

SmartIR, a spinout company from the University of Manchester, has signed a contract with the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre United Kingdom (ESA BIC UK) to support their work to develop solutions to control thermal radiation on demand.

University of Manchester ranks among top 6 UK universities for producing the most spinouts

A new report has named the University of Manchester as the UK's 6th most prolific university at producing spinouts over the last two decades, according to research into university spinout companies. Nearly one in every twenty of the UK’s spinouts were started at the university.

Nanoplexus: the Manchester SME at the cutting edge of 2D materials

Jae Jong Byun, Nanoplexus' Chief Executive, tells the story behind the company and the potential for a new material called MXene to transform the landscape of advanced manufacturing.

Memorandum of Understanding with the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

The University of Manchester (UoM) and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate more closely on the commercialisation of new innovations and IP.

Innovation Catalysts Launch: Research and Innovation Health Accelerator

SMEs are invited to attend the launch of the Innovation Catalysts scheme which will introduce SMEs to the Innovation Catalysts and provide further information on how they can secure innovation vouchers and post-doctoral research assistant support as part of the ERDF R&I Health Accelerator programme.

UKRI Design for Ageing Partnering Webinar

Registration is open for the UKRI Design for Ageing Partnering webinar, which will be held on 23 September 2021 from 12:30-14:30.  

Demystifying regulations and commercialisation mini-series: UPDATE

The Demystifying regulation and commercialisation mini-series is hosted through the Christabel Pankhurst Institute for Health Technology Research and Innovation.

New leadership team for Northern Gritstone

Northern Gritstone announces the appointment of Lord Jim O’Neill as Non-Executive Chairman and Duncan Johnson as Chief Executive Officer. 

Aspect Innovation Fellows Programme

The upcoming workshop on Social Projects and Professional Support for Social Enterprises, Aspect Innovation Fellows Programme, will be held on Wednesday, 30 June 2021.

Grant awarded to study a potential new treatment for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia

A team from the University of Manchester, led by Sam Butterworth (DPO) has been award a £2.3M Medical Research Council Development Pathway Funding Scheme (MRC DPFS) grant to conduct further studies on a potential new treatment for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (CMML).

Guy DeRose appointed in technical advisory role at Sci-Tron

Sci-Ton Limited, the UK-based creators of advanced metal-organic resists which enable improved performance e-beam lithographic and photolithographic fabrication of nanoscale features, are delighted to announce the addition of Guy DeRose1as a consultant and technical advisor.

Sci-Tron and DisChem announce exclusive US distribution partnership

A significant partnership has been agreed between Sci-Tron Limited and DisChem, Inc. The agreement, finalised in early April 2021, will see DisChem as sole distributors of nEBL3, Sci-Tron’s selective e-Beam resist with high etch selectivity.

Positive data for SkinBio Therapeutics study

SkinBio Therapeutics has recently unveiled data for a food supplement consumer study, which shows the majority of participants reported positive results with their skin health, general health and well being.  

New Business Development and Investment Director

The University of Manchester Innovation Factory has appointed Roisin McCallion as their Business Development and Investment Director. 

World Intellectual Property Day 2021

Today is World Intellectual Property Day, and this year the focus is on the critical role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).  

Northern universities launch new investment company

The Universities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield are launching a new investment company to help boost the commercialisation of university spinouts and start-ups in the North of England.

UoM Spinout Complement Therapeutics Limited Closes Seed Funding Round

Complement Therapeutics Limited (CTx), a preclinical stage University of Manchester spinout, has recently closed a funding round from a leading European Life Sciences venture capital firm.  

Commercialising your Innovations and IP webinar

SMEs and innovators are invited to join us for a funded webinar to hear from life science innovation experts from academic, commercial, research and legal organisations on Thursday 29th April 2021 from 12:30pm - 1:45pm. 

Brain implant firm wins £12m funding with Graphene@Manchester nanotech

A collaboration between two Barcelona institutions and the Nanomedicine Lab at The University of Manchester - aimed at treating brain disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s Disease - has secured £12m in funding, one of the largest investments to date in the European medical nanotechnology industry.

Scientists move closer to developing ‘game-changing’ test to diagnose Parkinson’s

Results published on 11 March 2021 show it is possible to identify Parkinson’s based on compounds found on the surface of skin. The findings offer hope that a pioneering new test could be developed to diagnose the degenerative condition through a simple and painless skin swab.

Innovator Training Scheme

The Innovator Training Scheme (ITS) is a programme to support researchers to explore and develop innovations and routes to clinical impact, alongside industry partners, and exploit their research for the benefit of patients.

Patent Portfolio Available for Synthetic Method to Reduce the Bandgap of Polymers

The Innovation Factory has a patent portfolio available for technology which reduces the band gap of benzothiadiazole-based polymers via a synthetic route.

Entrepreneurial Mentor: Vikas Shah MBE

The University of Manchester Innovation Factory has welcomed Vikas Shah, MBE, as Entrepreneurial Mentor to help assist their work supporting academic and student inventors to identify research that has the potential to create value. 

VREvo wins Top Tech North West recognition

The i3HS spinout company launched in 2019 by SHS colleagues Tony Payton and Martin Fergie, has been recognised by Mills & Reeve’s as being one of the top 20 most innovative companies in the North West.

ERDF R&I Health Accelerator Academic Showcase - Wed 24th February 2021

SME's are invited to an ERDF R&I Health Accelerator Academic Showcase webinar, which will be held on Wednesday 24th February 2021 from 2pm.  

TenU to host event on the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems

TenU, the association of ten world-leading US, UK and EU universities, will host a discussion on the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems and their role in post-COVID economic recovery, TenU Hosts Ecosystems.

Michelson Diagnostics teams up with AI Specialists Manchester Imaging to develop Machine Learning Algorithms for VivoSight OCT Skin Imaging System

Michelson Diagnostics Ltd teams up with AI specialists Manchester Imaging Ltd, to aid dermatologists in the fight against skin cancer and other skin diseases.

Sci-Tron Awarded Innovate UK ‘Smart Grant’

Sci-Tron Limited has been awarded over £450,000 funding from Innovate UK for further development of its advanced resist technology.

ERDF R&I Health Accelerator launch event for SMEs

Health Innovation Manchester is launching a new £4.4m project, which is funded by ERDF Research & Innovation (R&I) Health Accelerator for SMEs, in a free online event on Thursday 3rd December 2020 at 2pm.

New Greater Manchester health accelerator programme invites innovative companies to collaborate with NHS and research organisations

A new accelerator programme is inviting SMEs to collaborate with Greater Manchester’s research and innovation institutions to support the development of innovative health and care products.

UKRI and the US’s National Institute of Standards and Technology to collaborate on research commercialisation

The US Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and UKRI will team up in areas of mutual interest in research, research translation and commercialisation.

GreenBank Capital’s Intent to Acquire Alzheimer’s Treatment Innovator: Pharmakure

GreenBank Capital Inc. has announced that it has reached commercial agreement to acquire a shareholding in, and provide merchant banking services to, Pharmakure the pioneer of a very important and potentially revolutionary treatment for Alzheimer's.

NWEH Announce Investment

NWEH Limited, global leaders in real world trials technology, announce private investment from Clive Meanwell and Chris Cox, internationally recognised pioneers in streamlining the development and implementation of evidence-based therapeutics.

Alderley Park Oncology Development Programme

The Alderley Park Oncology Development Programme, a national programme co-funded by Innovate UK and supported by a collaboration of global big pharma and research institutions, has just been launched.  This programme will find and develop start-up projects with the potential to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

British start-up concludes £130,000 crowdfunding raise to develop smart tech to help the UK’s 5.4m asthma sufferers

British digital health start-up Clin-e-cal has concluded a raise of over £130,000 with leading crowdfunding platform Crowdcube to fund the commercialisation and scale-up of its smart inhaler monitoring technology.

#clin-e-cal
#crowdfunding
#asthma

University of Manchester spin-out SkinBioTherapeutics raises £4 million investment

SkinBioTherapeutics plc a life sciences company focused on skin health, is pleased to announce it has conditionally raised £4.0 million by way of a Placing to new and existing institutional investors.

#skinbiotherapeutics
#spinout
#investment

University announces partnership with AVROBIO for Hunter syndrome gene therapy

The University of Manchester has announced today a groundbreaking gene therapy partnership to ease the lifelong suffering of people with Hunter syndrome.

#huntersyndrome
#avrobio
#partnership

University-developed software achieves place in prestigious national programme

TornadoVM, ground-breaking software framework from The University of Manchester, has been accepted into the newest cohort of Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe).

#tornadovm
#icure
#innovateuk

Clin-e-cal launches crowdfunding campaign

Clin-e-cal Ltd, the University of Manchester spin-out digital health company, has announced a crowdfunding campaign to develop and scale-up their mission to help the world’s 500m asthma and COPD sufferers.

#crowdfunding
#clin-e-cal
#asthma

Andrew Graham appointed as Specialist Advisor for Northern Gritstone Investment

The Universities of Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Graham to help design and build Northern Gritstone Investment, a Northern-based, independent, investment company.

#specialistadvisor
#northerngritstone
#andrewgraham

The University of Manchester launches its Innovation Factory

Designed to be one of the Europe’s most effective university Technology Transfer Offices, The University of Manchester Innovation Factory has built a new team and created bespoke processes for the commercialisation of the University’s innovations and intellectual property.

#innovationfactory
#techtransfer
#universityofmanchester

Research England Backs Efforts to Boost Value Realised from University

Research England has awarded two grants, totalling £1.5 million, to support two programmes working to dramatically increase the economic value and social impacts derived from university research.

#researchengland
#universityofmanchester
#techtransfer