I-TAC Takes First Prize for Best Support for Start-Up and High Growth Businesses


The Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC) has scooped a prestigious UK Science Park Association (UKSPA) award for having the best track record in developing and supporting start-up and high growth businesses. Since it opened four years ago, I-TAC, which is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), has supported more than 60 high-tech companies and aided in the development of 46 new innovative products. It has also helped its tenant companies achieve an impressive £80 million of investment and to create over 100 new jobs.


STFC’s Dr Martin Morlidge, I-TAC Manager, said: “Winning this award is a fantastic accolade for I-TAC and for STFC. Starting up a high-tech business is tough and our philosophy is to give small companies affordable, flexible access to the multi-million pound equipment and expertise that would usually be out of reach for these businesses. I-TAC provides all the necessary technical support at every stage in the journey, from initial idea, through the proof of concept and prototype stages, to the final product or service.


In combination with this, it also provides the invaluable business support these companies need as they grow into strong and sustainable businesses.”I-TAC’s facilities are located across both of the innovative and vibrant national science and innovation campuses at Sci-Tech Daresbury and Harwell Oxford, both of which are successful Enterprise Zones.


Companies here sit alongside world-leading science facilities and international organisations such as the European Space Agency and CERN, with whom STFC also manages business incubation initiatives, in addition to several other support programmes for small businesses.


The awards ceremony, which was hosted by science writer and BBC presenter Michael Mosely, was held on 10th July as part of UKSPA’s 30th Anniversary Summit in Birmingham, celebrating the 30th anniversary of its’ formation. Paul Vernon, Head of Campus Development at STFC, explains how businesses can benefit from STFC’s Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC): http://ilmt.co/PL/XV4


Dr Martin Morlidge, I-TAC Manager at STFC, accepts the UKSPA 30th Anniversary Award for having the best track record in developing and supporting start-up and high growth businesses.


31020pr@reply-direct.com Imperial College London and KPMG Announce Partnership


KPMG and Imperial College London have launched a major new partnership to create the ‘KPMG Centre for Advanced Business Analytics.’ KPMG will invest over £20 million, with the aim of putting the UK at the forefront of data science.


The initiative, which will focus on five key areas - analysis of business capital, growth opportunities, people, operations and resilience - aims to complete 15-20 projects over the next eight years. Each area has been selected to help UK businesses gain a competitive edge by launching products and services ahead of international competitors. The Centre will be led by researchers


at Imperial College Business School as part of the College’s Data Science Institute, which is developing new data science methods and technologies and supporting world class data-driven research.


Outgoing Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts said: “It’s encouraging to see Imperial College London and KPMG teaming up on this new partnership that will both accelerate the speed in which data based research is carried out and the time it takes to commercialise new ideas into everyday practice benefiting UK businesses. This is a good example of what I’ve been calling for in seeking national research to become more public.”


Peakdale Molecular Reports Significant Growth


Peakdale Molecular, a leading UK provider of specialised chemistry services for early phase drug and diagnostics discovery, is celebrating its most successful year ever for revenues and earnings since the company’s inception in 1992. The company has experienced a significant increase in demand from pharma R&D operations in particular, having been awarded multiple contracts over the past 12 months, from new and returning customers.


Having built up a highly qualified team of over 100 organic chemists across two major facilities, Peakdale has been well placed to respond to companies looking to outsource R&D operations providing chemists and facilities on a Full-Time Equivalent basis, and increasingly in


custom synthesis work on a Fee-for-Service basis. In particular, the ongoing development of Peakdale’s service offering for biological sciences, such as ADME Tox services, has seen increasing traction and has successfully enabled Peakdale to support a wider group of both pharma and biotech clients.


Along with its success in the UK and mainland Europe markets, Peakdale has also made good progress in the US which the company anticipates will be a source of major growth for the company in the present fiscal year.


30570pr@reply-direct.com SFI Appoints Director of Programmes


Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has announced the appointment of Dr Darrin Morrissey as Director of Programmes. Also a member of the Executive Committee of SFI, Darrin will be responsible for leading the design, monitoring and evaluation of the Foundation’s suite of research funding programmes including support for the implementation of SFI’s strategic plan, Agenda 2020.


Darrin was formerly with Stiefel, a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)-owned company that develops and manufactures dermatology products. As Business Improvement Director he implemented strategy deployment, change management and business transformation. He originally joined GSK Ireland in 2007 and as Head of Oncology led the establishment of GSK’s oncology business in Ireland. He also held the role of GSK’s Global Oncology Marketing Director.


Dr Darrin Morrissey, Director of Programmes SFI


Commenting on his appointment, Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of SFI and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Irish Government said, “I am delighted to welcome Darrin to SFI as Director


of Programmes. Darrin’s significant experience in the global and Irish research sectors, as well as in corporate strategy and business development, will be a real asset to SFI.


“As we implement Agenda 2020 and continue our work in establishing Ireland as a leading research nation, Darrin’s leadership expertise and industry knowledge will be particularly valuable.”


Darrin has a BSc in Microbiology and a PhD in Cancer Biology from University College Cork. He also worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the National Food Biotechnology Centre and, recently, has completed a Diploma in Advanced Management Practice awarded by National University of Ireland Galway.


31070pr@reply-direct.com


Simon Collins, KPMG UK Chairman commented: “More data has been created in the last two years than in the rest of history.


That’s amazing but we can all drown in data unless


we know what to do with it. Our collaboration with Imperial is about developing the people and skills to use that data to drive new industries and new services. It is immensely exciting for the UK economy and we are very proud to be leading in this crucial area.”


31019pr@reply-direct.com NovaBiotic’s


CEO Amongst Top Business Leaders


NovaBiotics Ltd, the Aberdeen-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company has announced that Dr Deborah O’Neil, the Company’s CEO, was named an EY Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 at the awards dinner held at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland (19th June).


Deborah was amongst 19 other business leaders whose achievements were also recognised and with whom she will compete for the title of UK Entrepreneur of the Year, which will be awarded this October at a ceremony in London, UK. UK finals winner will join the other global country winners in Monte Carlo in 2015 to vie for the title of World Entrepreneur of the Year.


Dr O’Neil said: “It was a wonderful surprise to receive this award and I would like to thank our employees and stakeholders who have supported NovaBiotics, working tirelessly on innovative solutions that will make a difference in patients’ lives and address a looming global anti-infectives crisis. To be recognised amongst some of the most successful business leaders in our region is a great honour and highlights the expertise and hard work of everyone over the past ten years.”


Jim Bishop, Senior Partner and Entrepreneur of the Year Leader at EY Scotland, said: “Dr O’Neil is a true entrepreneur; an exceptional person who had the courage to risk everything in pursuit of her vision.”


The EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ programme is considered the world’s most prestigious business award and is held in more than 145 cities and in more than 60 countries worldwide.


30572pr@reply-direct.com


Read all the latest News & Views, Articles and New Product Releases Online, visit: www.labmate-online.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32