A NATIONAL\nsurvey of the ways in which universities use their knowledge to benefit the\nworld around them has ranked the University of Nottingham among the best in the\nUK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Higher\nEducation Business and Community Interaction Survey (HE-BCI) is an in-depth\nstudy carried out by Research England, part of UK Research and Innovation,\nwhich helps drive the development of knowledge and ideas across universities,\nbusinesses, charities and government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HE-BCI examines\nthe commercial activities of universities, ranging from the use of knowledge to\nhelp companies solve problems and investment in promising research projects to\nsupporting the formation of spin-out businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the latest\nHE-BCI survey, the University of Nottingham is ranked second in the UK for the\namount of money it raised from the sale of shares in its spin-outs, with more\nthan \u00a311.5m returned to the University in 2017-18 for further investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spin-out\nsuccesses included early-stage cancer detection company Oncimmune plc, where\n\u00a35m was raised through the sale of shares, and drug screening services provider\nCrownBioInc., where the sale of the University\u2019s stake raised \u00a33.6m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both companies\nfollow in the footsteps of University spin-out Monica Healthcare, which\ndeveloped a lifesaving foetal heart monitor that was acquired by industry giant\nGE Healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The University\nwas also ranked seventh in the country for the amount of external investment\nreceived by its spin-out businesses, with \u00a334m of funding secured to support\ntheir growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Dame\nJessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the\nUniversity, said: \u201cThe HE-BCI survey is an important measure of the way that\nuniversities contribute to the world around them and we\u2019re thrilled to have\nbeen ranked so highly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor us, this\nactivity is about supporting and investing in businesses that can make a difference\nto people\u2019s lives and, in doing so, secure a return that can provide continuing\nsupport for our core missions of teaching, learning and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is\nreflected in the nature of our portfolio of spin-out businesses, whose ideas\nand technologies address some of the key challenges we face both as healthy\nindividuals and a healthy society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The success in\nthe HE-BCI survey came during a year in which the University further bolstered\nits credentials as a key centre for research commercialisation in the Midlands\nthrough Nottingham Technology Ventures Ltd \u2013 set up by the University to\nfurther professionalise the management of its spin-out portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also set up\nits own \u00a35m Invention Fund to provide targeted backing to spin-outs as they\ndevelop. Its support also helps them as they seek co-investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\nUniversity\u2019s spin-out portfolio includes businesses developing new technologies\nand solutions for agriculture and the environment, energy sustainability,\nhealthcare, manufacturing and materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Susan\nHuxtable, Director of Intellectual Property Commercialisation, added: \u201cAs a\nUniversity, we strongly encourage a culture of enterprise and innovation across\nour academic community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis underpins\nall successful knowledge exchange and reflects the University\u2019s long-term\ncommitment to developing research potential into outcomes which benefit society\nand the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The University\nprovides a wide-ranging portfolio of services aimed at supporting businesses.\nIt includes student placements, collaboration projects with businesses,\nresearch institutes dedicated to developing new technologies, and working with\nkey sectors of the regional and national economy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"