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A University of Nottingham ‘spin out’ company — RegenTec — has been awarded one of global healthcare’s most prestigious accolades — a Medical Futures Innovation Award 2008. RegenTec — which applies the internationally renowned research of Professor Kevin Shakesheff and his team in the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences at The University of Nottingham — is a leader in the field of regenerative medicine. Its technologies have the potential to revolutionise healthcare, by providing permanent replacements for damaged or diseased tissues in an unlimited supply.
A key concept in regenerative medicine is the provision of a ‘scaffold’, which can then enable tissue to grow in clinical situations where the body’s natural repair processes have failed. RegenTec has developed a family of injectable scaffolds that solidify within the body, and can be used to support tissue growth and deliver cells or protein therapies. The approach keeps invasive surgical procedures to a minimum.
Professor Kevin Shakesheff, the company’s Scientific Director, and Professor in Tissue Engineering in The School of Pharmacy at The University of Nottingham, has previously been awarded the Hanson Medal, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Conference Medal, and has been named in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Review list of the World’s Top 100 Young Innovators.
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He said the Medical Futures Innovation Award was “recognition of the dedication of our teams in the University and in Biocity Nottingham. We believe our technology will be used throughout the World to make orthopaedic surgery quicker, cheaper and more effective. The road from inventing the scaffold to human trials has been longer and harder than I ever imagined and the support of the Wellcome Trust and The University of Nottingham has been exceptional.”
RegenTec is managed by a commercially experienced board of directors with broad pharmaceutical and biotech expertise. Dr Robin Quirk, its Chief Operating Officer, founded the company with Professor Shakesheff after completing a PhD at the University. The company is based at BioCity, an enterprise hub for the biosciences, in which there is 95 per cent occupancy. The University of Nottingham is a founding partner in BioCity, which sits at the heart of Nottingham: Science City.
The Vice-Chancellor of The University of Nottingham, Professor David Greenaway, congratulated RegenTec, noting that “"Translating fundamental science into clinical applications is a high priority for Nottingham. This award is testimony to the vision, creativity and determination of Professor Shakesheff and his team, and endorses the University's investment in both the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences and BioCity."
The award was presented on December 2nd 2008 at a gala dinner in London, which followed an exhibition and conference showcasing the most promising and dynamic innovation in British biomedical science.
ABOUT THE MEDICAL FUTURES INNOVATION AWARDS
The Medical Futures Innovation Awards are a unique UK based Awards process that helps healthcare professionals and academics turn their ideas into tangible solutions that can improve patient care.
The Awards, run by a team of doctors, businessmen and media and communication experts, are part of a wider offering that includes educational and networking events between industry and the medical profession and in 2008, over 1000 ideas have been submitted via the website www.medicalfutures.co.uk.
By entering the Medical Futures Awards process, front line clinicians and academics have the chance to pitch their ideas in a Dragon’s Den style to a world-class panel of experts including the likes of Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director for the NHS; Baroness Susan Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution; and Tom Ilube, Co-Founder of Egg Internet Bank. The Judges select winners based on three principle criteria: — novelty; impact on patient care and its viability, whether that is clinical, technical or commercial.
As well as the critical recognition and endorsement of a Medical Futures Innovation Award, winners receive a bespoke package of support to turn ideas into viable propositions that have credibility with investors. This may include assistance in articulating their idea; securing funding; and introductions to professional and commercial contacts vital in taking their idea to the next level.
The 2008 Awards ceremony takes place on 2nd December and consists of an exhibition held during the day and an evening awards ceremony. During the day winners can showcase their idea, network, and participate in press interviews. The overall winners in each category are presented with their award during the evening ceremony which includes a guest list of over 800 including celebrities, business leaders and key medical and scientific opinion leaders.
Further details can be found at www.medicalfutures.com
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Notes to Editors: The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 100 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and Times Higher (THE) World University Rankings.
It provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's "only truly global university", it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation — School of Pharmacy) and was named ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2008.
Its students are much in demand from 'blue-chip' employers. Winners of Students in Free Enterprise for four years in succession, and current holder of UK Graduate of the Year, they are accomplished artists, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, innovators and fundraisers. Nottingham graduates consistently excel in business, the media, the arts and sport. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree completion rates are amongst the highest in the United Kingdom.