Written by Emily Collins – Communications Officer, University of Kent

On 27 February, Kent teamed up with Discovery Park to host their second joint Innovation Showcase, a celebration of the research-driven technologies and business start-ups emerging from the region’s thriving innovation ecosystem.

The event provided a platform for researchers and entrepreneurs to share their experiences of the business start-up journey, exchange ideas, pitch new innovations to prospective partners, and find out about the range of support available to those looking to turn innovative ideas into a business opportunity.

Amongst the innovations showcased were:

• Patented recombinant protein technology (Sirius Proteins), developed by Dr Karen Baker within Professor Dan Mulvihill’s lab, which is making protein production for biotechnology, health, food, cosmetics and energy production more accessible and affordable.
• Unique florescence technology developed by Dr Jose Ortega-Roldan which, through DrugUptech, offers a cheaper and faster means to test for the uptake of drugs in cells, with applications in drug discovery.
• A novel approach by Dr Helen Cockerton and her lab to introduce disease-resilience in plants without the need for genetic modification.
• Software developed by Professor Tobias von der Haar and his colleagues which accelerates the process of identifying mRNA sequences for the manufacture of gene therapies and vaccines to treat disease.
• Non-invasive, high resolution optical imaging technology that Dr Michael Hughes and his team are looking to apply in a wide range of medical and industrial situations.

The showcase was organised as part of Kent’s Impact Acceleration Account scheme which is enabling the University to use Government-awarded funding via the AHRC, BBSRC and MRC to flexibly support research and innovation at all levels in the arts and humanities, biotechnology and biological sciences, and medicine and healthcare. Many of the innovations discussed on the day have received support from the scheme, as well as from Discovery Park’s Discovery Spark programme and Barclays Eagle Labs.

Kerry Barber, Director of Research and Innovation Support, said: ‘This event highlighted the incredible innovation and real-world impact aided by the University of Kent’s UKRI-funded Impact Acceleration Accounts. The invaluable support from Discovery Park is also helping to turn bold ideas into reality, giving projects the foundation they need to thrive.

Events like these are vital for bringing people together, fostering new collaborations, and sparking ideas – it was truly inspiring to see that one of this year’s presenters began their journey through conversations at a previous event. We are therefore incredibly grateful to our funders – the BBSRC and MRC – for their continued support in helping to drive forward innovation within the Kent and Medway region.’

Professor Michelle Garrett, Lead for the Medical Research Council IAA, said: ‘It was fantastic to be involved in such an informative and interactive event. We were able to share how some of our IAA projects are moving towards commercialisation and facilitate new collaborations between different stakeholders who attended the day.’

Renos Savva, Head of Innovation and Venture Development, said: ‘It was great to see such incredible commercial potential in local R&D and a strong appetite for entrepreneurship at this year’s Innovation Showcase. An inspiring day filled with insights from ex-Pharma researchers, academics, postdocs, and tech-driven start-up founders – many of whom have benefited from Discovery Park’s ecosystem and are now developing some ground-breaking research. The event was buzzing with collaboration, and it was exciting to see translation-ready ideas turning into reality, proof that innovation thrives in the right environment.’