University’s new partnership will boost life science businesses in the North

July 25, 2014

The University of Leeds and Bionow have agreed a formal collaboration to support the UK life science sector in the North. The partnership will see the development of a series of initiatives designed to help northern biomedical companies drive the growth and competitiveness of their business.
Built around the University’s world-class strength in interdisciplinary biomedical research and Bionow’s industry network of over 1,000 biomedical companies, the partnership will offer opportunities across three key areas; collaboration; employment support and building influence.
The partnership will see Bionow unite with Leeds in specific national lobbying in areas of strategic importance. Bionow member companies will be able to access Leeds’ expertise for their R&D requirements, identifying key opportunities for working together, whilst the interactive platform www.bionowb2b.co.uk will enable University of Leeds’ researchers to connect directly with the Bionow community of companies and individuals.
The partnership will also work together on major research funding bids, and supporting business via workshops and focused outreach activity which make the most of Leeds’ expertise in medical, biomedical and regenerative technology and translation.
Professor David Hogg, University of Leeds Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation said:
” Bionow is the ideal partner for the University and can help us directly access the biomedical sector where our research expertise can make the biggest impact.  Medical Technology is a major research strength at Leeds, from implantable devices through to regenerative therapies that can be enhanced with autologous stem cells.  This work is delivered by the national Medical Technologies Innovation and Knowledge Centre which will lead the partnership with Bionow.  Our specialist innovation hubs are already heavily engaged with business across Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical, Medical Technologies, Stratified Medicine and Health Services, and working in partnership with Bionow will help ensure that opportunities to bring business and academia together across the life sciences sector are maximized.”
Dr Geoff Davison, Chief Executive of Bionow said:
“Bionow is delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Leeds. As our first strategic University partner in Yorkshire, Leeds brings a very strong and entirely complementary portfolio of expertise to support the growing Bionow community. Alongside our existing University partners across the North, Leeds will be instrumental in communicating and leveraging the world class strengths in biomedical innovation and commercialisation which exist in the North. We are particularly excited about the possibilities which working with such a proactive, engaging and business-friendly organisation provides and believe that working with the Medical Technologies IKC and other innovation hubs at the University will enable the Northern cluster to more effectively compete on a global stage.”