Accepted Model of Knowledge Transfer is Holding the UK Back


The UK’s current model of knowledge transfer is actually restricting commercialisation, according to leading expert in the field, Professor Mike Smith, who is retiring this month as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer at Sheffield Hallam University. Professor Smith, speaking at the Innovation through Knowledge Transfer 2012 conference scheduled for 19-20 April at the University of Bournemouth, will maintain that the reason why is in the name. “Thinking purely in terms of knowledge ‘transfer’ or ‘exchange’ is part of the reason why the HE and private sectors in the UK so often struggle to work well together,” he said. “In fact, the future lies in the 'co-creation' of innovation.” He continued: “Because universities focus on what technologies or skills they can ‘transfer’ to the private sector, this creates a trading relationship: we sell, you buy. It is a ‘sage on a stage’ model – the academic expert bestowing their knowledge on a private sector audience. “This model actually restricts effective commercialisation and is one of the main reasons knowledge transfer in the UK is hitting the buffers. If we’re to see the sector advance, universities and companies need to start identifying non-obvious, unmet needs and jointly create the innovation to fulfil them, developing relationships based on trust rather than trade.” According to Professor Smith, the different governance systems in the public and private sectors may be to blame for the oft-cited ‘culture clash’ between the two. The sector is constrained in its governance and needs to have the freedom to


operate more effectively, particularly in areas which could contribute to economic transformation. “The public sector is relatively risk averse with restrictive governance arrangements built around contract and audit,” he explains. "This restricts the development of trust which is essential to the co-creation of innovation. Even when universities have created separate organisations to manage their commercialisation, these often labour under public sector-style governance which forces them into a slow-moving, trading paradigm. We need to have different kinds of arrangements if universities and the private sector are to successfully co-create innovation.” Professor Smith also believes that effective co-creation of innovation has to bring a third party to the table – the user. This idea draws on his many years’ experience commercialising medical technologies, in which the needs of patients were of primary importance. “I first became involved in commercialising research because I saw it was the only way that the innovations being developed within academia would actually reach patients – those technologies had to be commercially available to hospitals and the only way that could happen was through the private sector,” he explained. “It’s important to remember that, while making money is all well and good, the main driver for commercialisation is to take our research out of the lab and into the real world, so it has an impact on and provides a benefit for people. Involving them in the process of innovation will help ensure this happens.”


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BIA Response to the Budget 2012


The BioIndustry Association (BIA) welcomed the continued support for the life sciences sector outlined by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget. Glyn Edwards, BIA Interim Chief Executive, said: "We are pleased that the Chancellor recommitted the government to supporting the life sciences sector in the Budget. The Chancellor's plans to help enable the commercialisation of research, invest £100 million in new university


research facilities and to increase the Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme grant limit are to be welcomed. However, the BIA believes that this commercialisation will be helped if innovative companies have access to additional sources of funding, such as that offered by our proposed Citizens Innovation Funds. These funds would make the government an enabler rather than a provider of much needed investment in innovative businesses.


TO FIND OUT MORE CIRCLE NO. 553 Confident Outlook for Growing UV Business


UVMAN is one of the growing new names in ultra violet lamps and products for laboratory, industrial and consumer uses. Formed in 2010, the company aims to be a ‘one-stop’ source for all things related to UV. The company supports its growing world-wide chain of distributors for its products and services, from its global headquarters based in Cambridge; it has been steadily building on a reputation for quality, service and competitive pricing reflects Paul Oliver who heads the company. Paul has a vast experience in logistics and distribution gained from working for many years in some of the largest communications companies in


Europe. “The team boasts over 20 years of UV knowledge and experience and can therefore confidently advise customers on their choice of product or to answer any question they may have,” he said. UVMAN offers a wide range of ultra violet products and UV Lamps including the well-known and respected Spectroline range of products from Spectronics of New York, USA. The UVMAN range includes UV transilluminators, crosslinkers, UV hand lamps, UV inspection lamps, radiometer and measuring systems. A wide range of UV tubes and lamps are also stocked which are suitable for most UV equipment. There is also a very active consumer division of the company which offers a number of products for home and office sterilisation uses including the new Cellblaster mobile phone cleaning device.


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Andrew Lansley Opens Anatune Office


Cambridge based Anatune, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of chromatography solutions, hosted an official opening of its new office at Wellbrook Court in Cambridge on 21 March. The opening ceremony was performed by Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley CBE MP. Anatune’s new office sits within Mr Lansley’s constituency and numbers among its customers many businesses and government organisations involved in medical research and healthcare. Anatune began in 1996 with a vision to create real customer value. Founded by Ray Perkins, who remains Managing Director, the company combines industry, scientific and application knowledge to help laboratories solve problems and increase efficiency and effectiveness. It brings together equipment from the world’s most


Managing Director of Anatune, Mr Ray Perkins (right), with the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley CBE MP.


trusted manufacturers to create solutions where the focus is on data quality, reliability, simplicity and speed. Mr Perkins said: “We were delighted that Mr Lansley could be our guest of honour and perform our opening ceremony. Our new premises offer more than double the space of our previous site and will enable us to host larger seminars and customer demonstrations, both in the new meeting rooms and the laboratories.” Guests at the opening ceremony included Mr John Bridge, OBE, Chairman of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce. Anatune hosts an annual conference, which attracts leaders in chromatography science from all over the world. This year’s conference will be held on 12-13 June 2012, at Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hertfordshire.


TO FIND OUT MORE CIRCLE NO. 555 Key Appointment for Litre Meter Chris Ringer joins Litre Meter


Litre Meter a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of custom flow meters has sharpened it sales focus with the appointment of applications engineer Chris Ringer. Previously UK Sales Manager at Krohne, Chris brings with him expertise in a range of flowmeter technologies including Coriolis flow meters. He has also held positions as flow products manager at Foxboro and was a sales engineer at Hartmann and Braun. Chris will provide sales support for Litre Meter and products for offshore, sub-sea and general applications manufactured by other Tasi Group brands including TRICOR and KEM. “I am pleased to be a member of the team here at Litre Meter. My role as applications engineer will enable


me to utilise experience I have gained elsewhere in Coriolis engineering applications to effectively promote Litre Meter’s and KEM’s flow meter technology in the UK and provide the best possible level of service to our customers,” Chris said. Litre Meter CEO Charles Wemyss said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris to Litre Meter. He brings with him valuable experience which will make him a great asset to our team. Making appointments like this during the current economic climate demonstrates our continued commitment to providing the best possible service to both new and existing customers.” A keen motorcyclist, Chris lives in Northampton with his wife Julie and their children Helen and Susan.


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Oxford Instruments Delivers Equipment to the High Tech Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM)


Oxford Instruments is delighted to have delivered a suite of flagship instruments to SUNUM (Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center) Istanbul, Turkey. The Suite consists of two high cooling powered TritonTM 400 Cryogen-free dilution refrigerators with top-loading sample insertion and integrated 12T magnets along with a 8T Cryogen-free magnet and integrated Variable Temperature Insert. In collaboration with NanoMagnetics, who supplied Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM), Oxford Instruments were able to achieve SPM measurements in the TritonTM Cryofree® top-loading dilution refrigerators. The SUNUM centre is a high tech facility which aims to support cutting-edge-scientific and technological research related to nanotechnologies. Ministers of the Turkish government, The President of the Board of Trustees and The Rector of Sabanci University will visit the centre on the 10th March to inaugurate the official operation.


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