Leading Research Commercialisation Body Joins Forces With Partners to support emerging Healthcare Businesses
Cambridge, UK, 18 January 2012 – PraxisUnico, the leading research commercialisation body, has joined forces with Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC) – the UK’s first open innovation bioscience campus – and the Technology Strategy Board to deliver a seminar and networking forum to give aspiring entrepreneurs and young healthcare businesses an insight into how to start-up, fund and grow innovative new companies.
Speaking of the event to be held on 1 March 2012, SBC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Martino Picardo said, “Start-ups in the UK life sciences sector are always in need of practical support and guidance, even with recent encouraging developments such as the Government’s pledge of support via the £180 million Biomedical Catalyst fund. This forum for young and emerging health businesses will enable delegates to hear first-hand from those who have faced similar challenges to grow new ideas into successful businesses.”
Event presenters include keynote speaker Dr Ian Tomlinson of GlaxoSmithKline, David Philips of SR One, Simon Tate of Convergence Pharmaceuticals, plus others who are able to advise on what makes a fundable company, how to tap into Technology Strategy Board programmes, making the best use of R&D tax credits for SMEs, and setting up biotechnology companies.
Dr Douglas Robertson, PraxisUnico Chair, added, “Universities spin-out a healthy number of companies but unless these companies grow and prosper then UK plc will not benefit. PraxisUnico welcomes the opportunity to deliver this event with support from SBC. The growth of this community will in turn improve the flow of research by PraxisUnico members for social and economic impact.”
The event location also offers delegates the opportunity to tour the newly opened Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC). This £38m independent bioscience facility development is a joint venture between the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills, GlaxoSmithKline, the Wellcome Trust, the East of England Development Agency and the Technology Strategy Board.
The forum is also supported by Technology Strategy Board, in association with GlaxoSmithKline and Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst.
For further information visit www.praxisunico.org.uk
