Engaging with Industry 5th NIHR Trainee Meeting Dr Ceri Williams – Director of Operations Innovation and Knowledge Centre in Regenerative Therapies and.

Engaging with Industry

5th NIHR Trainee Meeting

Dr Ceri Williams – Director of Operations

Innovation and Knowledge Centre in Regenerative Therapies and Devices

A Track Record of Working with Industry• A good grounding as an academic working almost exclusively with

companies• Developed my experience of working with companies through working in

the private sector and also in economic development at Yorkshire Forward where I led science and innovation programmes for the region

• Developed an understanding of partnerships and the value of collaboration by developing strategic activities within the Universities in Yorkshire in partnership with all the UK Research Councils and the Technology Strategy Board

• I now lead a national innovation centre that helps academics translate their research so that it can effectively be utilised and taken up by industry

• I also mentor new knowledge exchange specialists

My Experience of Working with Companies through IKC

• All activities focus on research translation and commercialisation of new medical and regenerative technologies, products and services

• The centre translates value from a world-leading research platform to support innovation in medical technology companies

A unique centre that operates across the medical technologies spectrum from implantable devices to regenerative therapies …

….with a clear focus on outcomes that help the body repair and restore function.

A unique centre that operates across the medical technologies spectrum from implantable devices to regenerative therapies …

….with a clear focus on outcomes that help the body repair and restore function.

A Focus on Technology Priorities that can be Accessed and Utilised by Companies

• At RTD we focus on our unique capabilities and knowledge in:o Longer lasting joint replacements for the hip, knee and

spineo Regenerative biological scaffolds to replace damaged joint

and heart tissueo The use of stem cells for musculoskeletal and

cardiovascular repairo Novel protein biosensors to diagnose disease and monitor

patient's responses to treatmento Improved imaging to allow early diagnosis and targeted

treatment

• Successful development of new medical technology products requires input from applied health sciences to support regulatory approval, robust health economics, clinical trails design and effective adoption in a clinical or health services setting.

The IKC Approach to Innovation

• The IKC is a multi-disciplinary environment where innovative scientists and engineers collaborate on broad systems based projects and work flexibly with industry and clinicians at different stages of the innovation pathway.

• RTD is built upon a tripartite relationship between innovation in medical technologies companies that is supported by knowledge, capability and people within the university that is shaped by clinical need.

• This approach underpins successful medical technology innovation to develop new products, services and processes that meet clinical need and deliver significant patent benefits.

IKC aims to Close the Translation Gap• IKC focuses upon early validation of technical concept and commercial

feasibility to reduce late failure and accelerate innovation

How IKC Accelerates Innovation

• Professional innovation management to support innovation• Funding for Proof of Concept for research that is ready for

translation and meets clear criteria.• Funding for legal, IP and professional support so that projects

can be progressed in a timely manner and overcome any barriers.

• Support to help companies understand and access our knowledge and capability.

• Close engagement with the clinical trials and health economics expertise to determine the full value of new medical technology innovations and to help achieve regulation, reimbursement and adoption.

• Commitment to support projects to ensure effective use of investment and clear decisions for progression to recognise the value of successful commercialisation

….. and stop late failure.

Working with a Large Corporate1999-2003 Basic research EPSRC2001-2003 IP secured U of Leeds

Licensed to DePuy2003-2005 Applied research and

development DePuy 2005-2007 Clinical trial international2007 CE mark EU launch 2007 AAOS Hip Society Award2007-2009 FDA trial2010 FDA approval USA

launch2000-2013 Continuous technology

partnership with DePuy2010 Target sales

Working to Support a new Start Up Company

Acellular biocompatible multiscale biological scaffolds • Use the right tissue for the job

- Replace a heart valve with a heart valve, meniscus with meniscus, ligament with ligament…etc

• Regenerate in vivo with recipient endogenous cells - Large animal studies (heart valve and vascular patch)

• Deliver molecular signals to control cellular regeneration • Tissue structure and micro biomechanical stimuli drive cell

differentiation pathways

• Implant will not need further surgery• Patented processes for individual tissue types • Available off-the-shelf

Outcome – a successful spin out company Tissue Regenix Limited

Delivering Improved Health Services with a Company• 3 Tesla clinical MRI scans of the knee• Examined to investigate biomarkers e.g. bone marrow lesions to

characterise the progression of Osteo Arthritis• A manual segmentation program is used - Imorphics™• 3-D models can be developed

• National drivers through NIHR and other programmes have shifted the focus of research more towards delivery of tangible outputs and outcomes – Impact delivery

• There is still quite poor understanding of impact amongst the broad academic community

• There is still a perception in some areas that commercial work tarnishes academic quality

• Many projects offer potential to deliver outcome as opposed to a tactical plan of actions that will deliver known and clearly defined end points

• A clear focus on a defined end point will help develop both the work plan and the activities that are more likely to deliver tangible outcomes and lead to improved products and health services.

Delivering Impact in a Research Environment

Key Learning Points on Working with Industry• Working with industry must be a contact sport

• Interactions with people and understanding what they want and when they want it – it is all about people

• Robust processes that align with industry’s normal operations make life easier for you and for the company – it is all about process

• You must listen to understand needs• Deliver in a timely and professional manner• The costs must be appropriate – don't under sell your skills or

expertise and don't over value what you can offer• Make sure companies can understand what you offer – focus on

features and benefits of your technology or know how• Develop the tenacity of a terrier and don't give up

Thank you

[email protected] Tel: 0113 3430922

Our website• www.ikcrtd.leeds.ac.uk

Please feel free to contact me: