Imperial facility promotes innovation

A new facility custom-built to promote and develop technology transfer opens today at Imperial College London. The

, a collaboration between the College and technology commercialisation company Imperial Innovations, aims to accelerate the development of spin-out companies by providing a physical centre for their incubation.

Based at Imperial's South Kensington Campus, the BioIncubator will provide office and laboratory space for up to 15 early-stage companies.

Facilities include 12 wet laboratories, 16 private offices and a suite of meeting rooms, designed to provide occupants with a range of research resources, and business and support services. Imperial Innovations is responsible for the operation and management of the BioIncubator, and will continue to provide advice and mentoring.

Eight companies spun out of research at Imperial have now relocated to the BioIncubator.

Martin Knight, the College's Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘There is a great enthusiasm among many of our scientists, medics and engineers to bring their groundbreaking ideas to a wider audience, but often little knowledge of how to steer through the complexities of this process.

‘The BioIncubator will ensure that our academics have all the support they need to turn their research into business ventures.’

The BioIncubator was funded by Imperial College London and the London Development Agency.

Companies currently housed there include Advanced Tissue Therapies Limited; Midaz lasers Limited; and Molecular Vision Limited.