Report ranks Cambridge University top for technology transfer in UK

Cambridge Enterprise, the commercialisation arm of the University, has enjoyed a hugely successful past week, capped by glowing praise from Library House in its Cambridge Cluster Report 2008.

Library House’s report showed that during the last academic year, the University generated £49.4 million from collaborative research and Cambridge Enterprise Limited saw an increase in licensing income to £3.4m, in addition to spin-out activities creating 944 new jobs in the region.

The study also showed the Cambridge Enterprise’s Seed Fund was ranked joint ninth for new spin-out formation, with two firms launched in 2006-07, while it is listed in third place for the number of its active enterprises with 45 firms. With the growing patent, licence and company creation activity, Cambridge Enterprise expects to announce even more impressive figures in their upcoming 2007/08 annual review.

The Library House Report said: “The University of Cambridge is very active in knowledge transfer with business, as previously reported by Library House, and is particularly outstanding in terms of collaborative research, licensing, and spin-out activity.

Meanwhile, the award spree was headed by Horizon Discovery (Horizon) as it beat off intense national competition from 500 other entrants on Tuesday to land the Best Business Proposition Medical Futures Innovation Award (MFIA).

The company’s gene-engineering platform GENESISTM enables normal human cells to be converted into cancer cells by the introduction of genetic mutations that either cause the onset of cancer in some patients or can result in up to 90% of cancers becoming resistant to currently available drugs. The availability of these cell models enables researchers to develop a range of tests and medicines that will enable doctors to tailor treatment and follow-up care based on the needs of individual cancer patients.

On the same evening, Andrew Lynn, Chief Executive of Orthomimetics Limited was announced as the winner of the Chemistry/Materials award at the inaugural ACES Academic Enterprise Awards 2008. Orthomimetics Ltd, a spin-out from the Cambridge-MIT Institute, UK, has developed implants which can be accurately delivered using minimally invasive, single-step procedures.

Last Saturday Sentinel Oncology was announced as the Discovery and Development category winner of the 2008 ERBI Biotech Regional Awards. The Innovation in Drug Discovery & Development Award 2008 recognises the contribution a company makes to the UK's dominant position in the development of innovative new medicines. Sentinel Oncology focuses on the development of drugs that exploit tumour hypoxia and DNA response pathways. The ultimate goal is the discovery of drugs for untreatable cancers.

The three companies are part of the current equity portfolio of 68 companies managed by the Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds team and Investment Committee.

Teri Willey, Chief Executive of Cambridge Enterprise said: “These three companies are excellent examples of individual success stories behind the Library House numbers. They are made possible through the dedicated work of University scientists who put patient benefit as their number one reason for setting up their company, working in concert with equally dedicated seed investors and managers. We are immensely proud to be associated with these companies and applaud them for performance that would be excellent in any environment, let alone such interesting economic times.”

Professor Ian Leslie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Cambridge University, said: “This is very pleasing news, and shows the value of sustained effort in supporting knowledge transfer and of sustained investments in research. We need both. The global downturn will affect us all in the short term but will also profoundly change the shape of our economy in the long term. Resilience to that change will come from new innovations and the capacity to exploit them. This is evidence the Cambridge continues to be a centre for innovation and I am sure that the University will continue to play its role both in the creation and exchange of knowledge.”