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AWARDS THE UNIVERSITY AND UMIP JOINT RUNNERS-UP IN 2013 BBSRC FOSTERING INNOVATION AWARDS David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, talks to the team. Photo courtesy of Tim Gander © 2013 BBSRC CEO Professor Douglas Kell, Dr Andrew Almond, Conformetrix Ltd, Dr Curtis Dobson, Ai2 Ltd, Allan Prits, UMI3 Ltd. Photo courtesy of Tim Gander © 2013 In March, the University and UMIP, were announced joint runners-up in the Activating Impact category of the 2013 BBSRC Fostering Innovation Awards held at Altitude 360 at the Millbank Tower in London. Activating Impact is a new competition created to celebrate the work of successful Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation (KEC) teams or individuals that make essential contributions in turning excellent bioscience research supported by BBSRC into real-life applications. The University of Manchester places great emphasis on KEC and through its Faculty 10 of Life Sciences (FLS) is a major recipient of funding from the BBSRC. Professor Ian Kimber, FLS's Associate Dean for Business Development has been working closely with Dr Rich Ferrie, Head of UMIP, to ensure intimate connectivity between the researchers and IP specialists. This has contributed to the successful transfer of technology and resultant healthcare impact over many years with Ai2 Ltd and Conformetrix as just two examples recognised by the judges. As joint runners-up, the University and UMIP received £25,000 which will help appoint an "IP Impact Officer" for one year to work closely with Professor Kimber and Dr Rich Ferrie on a pilot programme aimed at maximising impact from the pool of IP emanating from FLS. Professor Ian Kimber comments: "I was delighted that our bid 'Activating Impact' was awarded joint second place in the finals. I believe this achievement recognises our commitment to developing new models and new mechanisms to ensure that the fruits of our investment in research are exploited quickly and effectively to deliver real health and economic benefits." Ai2 Ltd has developed anti-infective peptide technology for use in ophthalmics and in medical devices, such as urinary catheters and stents as well being utilised in wound dressings and consumer products. Conformetrix's platform technology uses nuclear magnetic resonance analysis to determine 3D molecular structures of drug compounds with high accuracy. This is a world first capability which enables Conformetrix to develop a pipeline of proprietary drugs against therapeutically important targets.