Proof of Concept boost in fight against disease using shark antibodies

Aberdeen University awarded £780k in latest PoC awards

The University of Aberdeen has been awarded over £778,000 from the Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept Fund, a fund aimed at assisting in the successful commercialisation of research.

Aberdeen’s awards cover sectors including biotechnology and other emerging technologies. The successful projects are: A novel immuno-technology platform (Using shark antibodies to fight disease) – case study follows at the end of this media release - Principal Investigator: Andy Porter Novel bone resorption inhibitors - Principal Investigator: Stuart Ralston Peptide immunotherapy to suppress anitbodies to blood cells - Principal Investigator: Stan Urbaniak (joint project with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service) Biocompatible stents and catheters - Principal Investigator: David Hukins Automated data mining using artificial intelligence techniques - Principal Investigator: Andrew Starkey

Professor Dominic Houlihan, Professor & Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) welcomed the announcement that five of Aberdeen’s bids had been supported in the latest round of the Proof of Concept funding. “The University of Aberdeen welcomes the five Proof of Concept grants which we have been awarded, and strongly support the continuation of the scheme. Work proceeding in Scottish universities has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world and I am delighted that Aberdeen will be contributing to this improvement.”

Dr Liz Rattray, Company Development Manager within the University’s Research & Innovation Department, said: “It is tremendous that the University of Aberdeen is continuing to build on its previous success in the

Proof of Concept scheme. This will greatly facilitate our endeavours in contributing to the knowledge base economy through the commercialisation of our research.”

The £33 million Proof of Concept Fund was launched in October 1999 and currently supports 82 ground-breaking projects. The Fund supports the early stage development of innovative products in Scottish universities and research institutions, turning novel ideas into business opportunities. It is a genuinely innovative and significant step in increasing the chances of university research results becoming commercial successes.