BioApproaches SW

Newsletter No. 4
May 2005

BIOAPPROACHES SW NEWS

The new BioApproaches SW programme has completed its first year and we have been so busy, it has really flown by! We have recruited over 160 organisations as members of the programme, 10 of which we have provided assistance to attend conferences (still available! - see below). We have made enormous efforts to personally meet many of you, including at some of our events which have been held right across the South West.

The BioApproaches Website is currently undergoing a serious make-over and will go live in a few weeks - we will keep you posted. We have commissioned a Training Needs Analysis of the entire sector which has resulted in the development of a Bioskills menu which will be active soon.

Significantly, we conducted an Economic profile of the sector, which revealed that there are approximately 250 organisations in the South West undertaking Biotechnology and related activities, employing more than 12000 people. Wow!! - no wonder we have been so busy!! From this information we have produced a database of the regional sector to house all our information, which has also fed into the production of a map identifying all the organisations geographically. If you haven't received your copy within the next few days, please contact us.

So what are we going to do this year? Well, apart from maintaining all of the activities mentioned above, we are also going to start some new projects targeting sub-sectors of the life science community. Plus, if there is anything which you think we could to help the Bio-Industry in the South West, we would be very happy to hear from you.

Discounted BIA Membership
In collaboration with BioApproaches SW, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) has offered to extend it's new Fledgling Membership discount to BioApproaches members.  New biotech start-ups (within two years of incorporation) will receive a discount on the standard membership fees and further discounts of some key BIA events. Please contact us for further information.

DTI Technology Programme
The DTI has allocated £6million, topped up to £20million from other sources, for funding Biopharmaceutical BioProcessing collaborative projects (business - business or business-academic collaborations). To find out more and to register an expression of interest ( before 13 June 2005) visit the DTI Technology programme website. Applicant Briefing sessions are being held in London on 26 May or 6 June. Registration details are on the DTI website.

Europa Biotechnica Awards 2005
Award of €40,000 for Innovative Biotech or Life Science company
Deadline for applications: June 15 2005
To qualify for the competition companies must have a proven success in launching innovative products or services, or in implementing promising new business concepts, a successful track record of at least two years in the markets of biotechnology and related life sciences and be a SME(< 350 employees,annual turnover < €50M). The complete announcement and application form can be found at www.biotechnica-award.de

Science Wise Grants
The DTI has £500,000 in grants to increase levels of public engagement in emerging areas of science. ScienceWise projects hope to develop and use best practice methods in public dialogue to bring together individuals and organisations to discuss science and technology issues in an open and fair manner. For more info click here.

BioApproaches SW Conference and Exhibition Materials Subsidy
BioApproaches SW is continuing to help fund bio-companies who are members of BioApproaches and SMEs to attend and present at conferences and exhibitions. Generally we will provide 50% of expenses up to £1000 per company per year for costs including; registration fees, travelling, accommodation and the production of exhibition materials. As we have started year 2 of the programme, those companies who applied last year are now able to apply again. Contact us for further details and application forms.

Marine and Freshwater Microbial Diversity - 2 June 2005
The finale Event of the NERC programme for Marine and Freshwater Microbial Biodiversity is being held in London on 2 June 2005 and will showcase the results of research funded by the programme. Please contact us for further information.

BioMedical Innovation Partnering Conference - 1 July 2005
A Showcase in London of near-market BioMedical Innovations and an opportunity for networking and partnering. Click here for further information.

Hot Topics in Intellectual Property - July 5 2005
The BioIndustry Association is holding a one-day seminar in London, sponsored by BTG and supported by the Intellectual Property Advisory Committee covering all the latest changes in IP law affecting the biosciences. Further information is available on the BIA Website.

Biotech Course for non-scientific staff - 13 July 2005 20% Discount on Registration for BioApproaches Members
The BioIndustry Association is hosting a one-day course to introduce bioscience to non-scientists. "A Whistle-stop Tour - Layman's guide to biotechnology" is being held at Porton Down, Wiltshire on 13 July 2005. BioApproaches SW members are entitled to a 20% discount on the registration fees. For more information please contact us.

BioMedAhead Conference - Online
An online Exhibition of Biotechnology, Drugs and Medical Devices with the object of Technology Exchange. Visit the exhibition at www.biomedahead.com.

New Drug Development
Want to keep an eye on what drugs are currently in development? R&D Insight, an updated database of drugs currently in development, is offering a significant discount to start-up companies to an annual subscription to access this database. For more info...

DTI Global Watch Secondments
An opportunity for staff in Small or Medium Enterprises (<250 employees) to be placed in leading edge organisations world-wide to gain knowledge and experience part-funded by the DTI. Funding is also available for inward secondees. Further information is available on the Global Watch website.

Measurement for Biotechnology
Commissioned by the DTI's National Measurement System Directorate and part of the UK's National Measurement System. The programme aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of biomeasurements important for industry, strengthen the measurement science underpinning the regulatory regime for biotechnology and ensure that the UK biomeasurement system is coordinated and developed in harmony with those of other countries through a series of projects awarded by competitive tender. For more information click here to go the MFB Website.

Acolyte BioMedica
www.acolytebiomedica.com

Acolyte Biomedica specialises in developing rapid microbiology test methods for use directly from a patient sample. The AK rapid R technology it uses means that organims identification and antibiotic sensitivity can be completed, typically, in hours rather than days of culture currently taken. The company is a joint venture with Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down and has an exclusive license to Dstl patents for clinical microbiology. The company's first product, a rapid test for the hospital superbug, MRSA, is now availalbe. The higly accurate BacLite Rapid MRSA test provides results in 5 hours which means that hospitals can quickly respond to cross infection hazards. See us on AcolyteBiomedic.com or Rapidmicrobiology.com.

Advanced Control Research Ltd - Plymouth
www.advancedcontrolresearch.com
Advanced Control Research Ltd (ACR) is a University of Plymouth spin-off company that was formed in November 1998 to conduct research and development into all areas of intelligent and innovative control systems.
The company's first product is a prosthetic hand control system that uses pattern recognition technology to discriminate between the “shape” of different patterns detected from electrodes sited on the stump. The patterns are independent of the strength of the signal and therefore require low levels of cognitive effort. Each system is trained to recognise the specific pattern of individual users, and signal strength is employed to provide proportional control of hand speed.
ACR, with the support of a DTI Research Grant, is currently employing its expertise in pattern recognition technology to develop a portable heart diagnostic system.
The company can provide engineering design solutions to a range of applications requiring embedded microprocessor control including assisting manufacturing companies who have automated process plant to operate more effectively, enabling them to decrease production downtime and virtually eliminate manufacturing wastage.