Life Science Research: Instruments, reagents, software and services for life science researchers, plus microbial biotechnology and biological production of materials

 

Insights from the users

Our client base includes some of the largest UK and Australian universities and research organisations, which gives us a direct insight into the needs and concerns of the users of these research tools. The breadth of life science industry sectors that we cover means we can understand the types of supporting products and materials that may be used in drug discovery, agri-tech, animal health, food and nutrition, personal care and cleantech, as well as wider academic research.

 

From antibodies to zeolites

We have delivered projects across the full range of life science tools, looking at instruments (e.g. microscopes), reagents (e.g. antibodies and enzymes), assays for drug and agrochemical discovery, software products (e.g. to predict material properties), and service offerings for the life science industry. We also have expertise in the tools for microbial biotechnology, and the components required to produce novel materials from bacteria and other biological sources, including novel biological extracts.

 

Networking with industry

The life science research sector includes a small number of very big multinationals alongside a large number of smaller niche players. We meet regularly with representatives from the major companies at conferences and exhibitions to keep abreast of the latest trends and identify their areas of active interest. Our local presence in four continents also allows us to target the specialist smaller SMEs. Team members have used and commercialised life science research tools for over 20 years, giving us a personal insight.

Industry Sector Lead:

Elaine Eggington

Executive Director

+44 (0)203 176 0585

elaine.eggington@ip-pragmatics.com

 

Project Outcomes

  • We have worked over a 3-year period with a research project at a Russell Group university which is developing a new device which enables minute-by-minute, 24-hour biological sampling from patients in their homes. Following an initial market assessment, patent landscape analysis and identification of potential application areas, we worked with the team to understand potential routes to market and commercial partners. We have recently completed an outline business case to showcase the potential opportunity in order to attract management support for the next phases of development.
  • Through an IP audit, we identified a new opportunity for the commercialisation of content for a microarray platform from a UK government research organisation. Through undertaking a range of market, IP, competitor and customer assessments we built a business case for the development and commercialisation of the technology as a stand-alone business. We supported the marketing and sales of its products, generating sales of £250k and attracting the attention of many of the key LSR companies. Following an approach to an international reagents and diagnostics company, IP Pragmatics facilitated a trade sale of the business, which generated a significant return on our client’s investment.
  • Helping a leading UK University to obtain market understanding and further funding to develop an in vitro screening system to identify novel herbicide candidates. We carried out a full market & IP analysis and commercial route map and helped to draft applications to secure internal and external translational funding for further development. The introductions we made during this market intelligence have led to discussions between the team and two leading AgTech companies.