Aitua provides critical support to new bioventures during the first stages of the technology-to-business translation process. It works closely with entrepreneurs and scientists to create and nurture emerging companies from world-class science and technology deriving from the Babraham Research Campus and other life science clusters in the UK. It provides seed and early stage funding, injects specific expertise and provides access to services and facilities. This reduces cash-burn during the formative years and so enables companies to get off the ground. Aitua has a unique offering designed to accelerate the formation of quality, venture-ready early-stage companies.
Epigenetics is the study of the control mechanisms that sit on top of genes and guide the function and fate of individual cells. The field is expected to radically change traditional approaches to many healthcare areas, including cancer therapeutics and tissue regeneration.
Claresys Ltd has developed a Compact Optically Scanning Enhanced (COSE) pinhole camera. The COSE Camera Lens has an independent internal zoom and internal pan & tilt capability, using novel optical component arrangements, where the camera remains stationary. With no external moving parts it is possible to scan onto any target subject within the instantaneous field of view of the lens (up to 125O) and then zoom in onto it. Its applications cover surveillance, oil & gas exploration and other hazardous environments.
Colbalt Light Systems provides new and proprietary analysis techniques using Raman spectroscopy for high throughput non-invasive pharmaceutical analysis of tablets, capsules, powders etc. incuding chemical and polymorph/amorphous content. A second technique involves the rapid non-invasive analysis of materials below layers e.g. materials characterisation through coloured and opaque containers for pharmaceuticals/security uses, tissue analysis through skin and academic research.
Crescendo Biologics is developing two proprietary platforms for biological therapeutics from the Babraham Institute: ribosome display for the optimization of antibodies and a transgenic mouse which produces heavy chain only antibodies.
GeoScience International (trading as BGS International) is a spin out of the former international operations of the British Geological Survey, the world's first - and still world-leading - geological survey. The new company will build on its long track record as part of BGS, where it carried out large scale World Bank funded mineral and hydrocarbon resource mapping of countries from Madagascar to Papua New Guinea, and over time will look to expand its work with the private sector as well as into other areas such as hydrology and environmental monitoring.
Inscentinel Ltd is a biotechnology company specialising in harnessing the olfactory ability of insects for trace vapour detection. Our primary focus is the development of a new generation of handheld portable detectors, through the use of live honeybees. This unique Inscentinel Technology offers sensitive vapour detection coupled with distinct operational advantages.
L3T is addressing the $10bn global market for cholesterol testing, using technology from a leading team of scientists based at STFC's Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire to develop a diagnostic tool for full spectrum cholesterol testing at the point of care.
A 2004 RSF pathfinder funded some confirmatory research to back up claims in a patent, with further investment since taking the total to £242,000. The company has recently raised a further £1.7m from angels and venture funds and expects to have a fully functioning device within the next six to twelve months.
Microbial Solutions' innovative on-site bacterial process can treat metal working fluids in a much more environmentally friendly manner, producing grey water that is safe to dispose of in the sewerage system, and with no methane production in the process - so lower greenhouse gas impact. Water re-use is also possible, and the Company can offer treatment price certainty and stability to manufacturers, on a non-capital investment 'pay-as-you-treat' per litre basis.
The technology has been successfully trialled with a leading car manufacturer. Microbial Solutions has now moved to new office and laboratory facilities in Oxfordshire, and following an introduction by Houghton Europe, is also close to completing the first commercial pilot of its patent protected bacterial treatment, known as 'MicrocycleTM Technology' at the site of a major aerospace manufacturer. RSF made a pathfinder investment in 2004 and the Company raised £1.2m towards the end of 2007 from a syndicate including RSF and Oxford Capital Partners.
Microvisk has a unique approach to the measurement of the viscosity of blood and other fluid, based on CCLRC's considerable expertise in its Central Microfabrication Facility. The patented technology involves the spatial movement of microfabricated thermal bimorohs - bimetallic strips - which is converted into an electric signal using the piezo electric effect. Microvisk's technology can revolutionise the diagnostic market by simplifying the most common coagulation tests (those that are critical to the monitoring of any patient at risk from blood clotting and heart problems) and by providing instant POC and NP testing and analysis.
The company raised £6m in December 2010 to take its product through clinical approvals and launch.
Funded by the Rainbow Seed Fund and the Advantage Growth Fund
Novacta is a drug discovery and development company using pathway engineering and chemistry to optimise the activity of natural products for the treatment of infectious diseases. The company combines proprietary technologies from the world-renowned Actinomycete group of the John Innes Centre, Norwich with the know-how of a highly experienced team drawn from major pharmaceutical companies and the biotechnology industry.
For several years CCLRC's Space Science and Technology Department at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory has been developing compact, robust, low cost cameras to image Earth from space. The TopSat mission, a collaboration with Surrey Satellites and Technology Ltd and QinetiQ on a BNSC and MoD sponsored project, obtained colour images at a resolution of 2.8m over a 16km field of view. Individual buildings on the ground can be identified at this resolution.
MDA, the Canadian space and defence company, acquired 50% of the company's share capital in 2007 (including the bulk of RSF's holding) with a view to developing it as its European base. Rainbow made and IRR of 20% in less than 1 year.
Oxsensis is pioneering a 'new breed' of optical instrumentation for precision controls in super harsh environments such as highly efficient car and aero engines, and in industrial,electrical,nuclear and space applications.
P2i's patented technology employs a special pulsed ionised gas (plasma), which is created within a vacuum chamber, to attach a nanometre-thin polymer layer over the entire surface of a product. Tests show that P2i's patented nano coating technology can deliver performance benefits for a wide range of materials, including polymers, metals, fabrics, leather, ceramics, glass and paper. Even complex, 3D objects incorporating several different materials can be treated successfully with the P2i process. P2i has two consumer brands for its technology: ion mask™, for footwear, outdoor clothing and accessories, and Aridion™, for consumer electronics. For industrial applications, the technology is covered by the corporate P2i brand.
Procarta Biosystems is a spin-out from one of Europe's leading microbiology departments at the John Innes Centre. The company, formed in early 2008, is investigating a novel approach to counter antibiotic resistance and defeat infectious diseases using a DNA decoy technique, which aims to restore antibiotic efficacy against resistant superdrugs, such as methicillin-resistent Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Entercoccus (VRE).
Accessing the skills in the John Innes Centre, Procarta is also able to offer a contract research service creating and improving Streptomyces strains for heterologous production.
ProKyma is based on Dstl's proprietary ultrasound technology for manipulating particles.
Sensitive detection methods are limited by the purity of the starting material. Techniques are available to purify and concentrate biological specimens but these methods are often labour intensive or only partly effective. Major improvements in analysing biological samples such as bacteria, cells and DNA require improved sample preparation. ProKyma's Sonic Separation technology provides a means for concentrating and purifying cells or micro-organisms. Sonic Separation can also be used to isolate or analyse cell aggregates, for example in blood grouping and serology.
Tokamak Solutions was founded by leading scientists from the world's leading fusion research establishment at Culham to develop the potential to use fusion neutrons for a variety of applications from material treatments to medical applications or low cost hydrogen production. The technology is also applicable in the area of nuclear waste, where it has potential to stabilise many of the more hazardous elements.
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