Bioscience:Biomillions - delivering impact from research
May 2008
JIC scientists have contributed to Bioscience:Biomillions, an event organised by the BBSRC to demonstrate how the UK’s excellent bioscience research base is delivering substantial economic and social impact. Mervyn Bibb and Tony Maxwell, along with Jan Chojecki of PBL, were among 50 entrepreneurial academic researchers who met with representatives of industry, business and policy makers at HM Treasury in London in May.
“Bioscience:Biomillions - Delivering impact from research” is available from the BBSRC and includes:
Profiles of top researchers whose bioscience research has contributed to the UK’s economy and wider society
Case studies of research that is making a real difference to an ageing population, to changing climate and landscapes and to developing countries
Examples of spinout companies geared towards tackling ‘superbugs’
Prof Mervyn Bibb
Antibiotics are essential in modern medicine. Not only has Mervyn developed technology now being applied by pharmaceutical companies to improve production and development of antibiotics, he also helped to found two spin-outs, Novacta Biosystems and Procarta Biosystems, to develop novel antibiotics to combat bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Prof Anthony Maxwell
Founded on BBSRC-funded basic research, Tony’s spin-out company, Inspiralis, provides drug-discovery reagents and screening services to the pharmaceutical industry. In partnership with Plant Bioscience Ltd, Inspiralis uses a new patented screening technique, which various companies exploit through non-exclusive licences.
Dr Jan Chojecki
Plant Bioscience Ltd
Plant Bioscience Limited’s Managing Director, Jan Chojecki, has overseen the establishment of six spin-out companies and has a portfolio of over 80 innovations, many from research at BBSRC institutes. These include: cancer-fighting broccoli, drought tolerant crops, pharmaceutical screens and therapeutic compounds.
