CASE STUDY TaconicArtemis and University build a close connection over time
GET IN TOUCH For more details on
how you can build a stronger business relationship with the University of Edinburgh, contact…
Wendy Nicholson Head of Business Development
wendy.nicholson@
ed.ac.uk
ERI has developed numerous business relationships with industry over the last few years, which are now growing into mutually beneficial partnerships for our researchers, the University and the companies. Working closely with industry partners allows our world-class researchers to deliver innovative solutions so that we are working together towards a better world for us all. Or, as Aristotle might say if he was here today, we are starting to ripen some very tasty fruit!
“The University of Edinburgh has been working with industry for decades and has been actively engaged in commercial activities for more than 40 years”
The University has had a long relationship with TaconicArtemis GmbH, which is now bearing fruit for both parties. The parent company, Taconic is US-based and was started as a family-owned business in 1952 with its headquarters in Hudson, New York. The current business culture could be said to be based on those family values as they understand and nurture the importance of their business relationships. ERI’s initial contact with
TaconicArtemis was the result of a chance meeting at BioDundee’s bio- partnering networking event in 2004. TaconicArtemis was meeting with a Scottish biotechnology company to discuss possible collaborative work when Wendy Nicholson was introduced to Paul Rounding, the Head of Business Development.
Although the early discussions between the University and Taconic didn’t lead to any immediate deals, the University has maintained regular contact with TaconicArtemis and, over time, numerous opportunities for positive interactions have developed. This has allowed the parties to get to know each other, to understand each other’s needs and motivations and, as a result, have helped build the foundations of the strong business partnership they enjoy today. A snapshot of Taconic’s activities in Edinburgh since then clearly shows how the initial conversations that started seven years ago have evolved into a stronger more strategic relationship.
Find out how one project – to improve the production of life-saving drugs – demonstrates the power of companies working in partnership with the University. Turn overleaf to page 10
In February 2010, TaconicArtemis opened its first Scottish-based research facility, based within University premises in Edinburgh. With the close proximity of the company, it has been easy to meet regularly to build on our understanding of their business needs – as well as their understanding of the University’s drivers. As a result, Taconic Scotland is now in advanced discussions with key personnel at the University to develop synergistic provision of drug development and disease model services to the research base. Taconic personnel from around the world have participated in delivering stimulating scientific seminars on campus and we have even helped recruit new staff into the Edinburgh facility. And, earlier this year, Taconic signed its first licence deal with the University for an innovative genomic replacement technology that came out of the University’s School of Biological Sciences.
According to Dr Paul Rounding, Senior VP and General Manager at Taconic: “From the first stages of Taconic and TaconicArtemis’ links with Scotland, the excellence of Scottish medical research was obvious. It has been a clear objective of ours to collaborate with Universities in a mutually beneficial fashion. “Our relationship with ERI, based upon key principles of mutual respect and trust, is an important element in building business with Scotland and licensing technologies for commercialisation worldwide.”
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