Funding success for Sheffield University
SHEFFIELD University is to receive £360,000 to support the commercialisation and testing of research in the life sciences sector.
The university is to get the funding under the joint £180m Biomedical Catalyst, which is run jointly by the Medical Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board.
The MRC Confidence in Concept awards, totalling £7.4m across 14 universities, aim to help the universities progress more promising research ideas towards clinical testing.
Universities receiving an award have control over allocating the funding internally, allowing them to respond rapidly to new opportunities and have the flexibility to pursue the most promising translational research opportunities.
Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: “The UK’s world leading life sciences industry is changing fast and we need to stay ahead of the game.
“The Biomedical Catalyst will help bridge the so-called ‘valley of death’ that exists between when a bright new idea is developed in the laboratory and the point when a new drug or technology can be invested in by the market. This will support our most innovative life sciences SMEs and academics, drive growth and benefit patients.”
The Biomedical Catalyst, announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in December 2011, is a programme of public funding designed to deliver growth to the UK life sciences sector.
