Funding boost to bring engineering biology technologies to market

A funding injection from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will accelerate the commercialisation of new engineering biology ventures.

Part of a £2.8 million UKRI seed corn fund has been awarded to the Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC) hosted by Cranfield University, to bridge the gap between research and market-ready products and technologies, with comprehensive support and resources for researchers.

Announcing the investment, Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Engineering biology is a technology with transformative potential for our health, the economy and national resilience. From the development of new medicines to creating sustainable fuels, it could significantly help us in our missions to improve healthcare, grow our economy and become a green energy superpower.

“To seize these opportunities, the Government must work closely with our researchers, academics and businesses. This funding will be a welcome boost to innovators who are working to get their engineering biology breakthroughs out of the lab, and onto the marketplace.”

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At EBIC, the seed corn funding will be awarded to researchers at the ten partner universities across five years, providing timely support to high-potential projects and helping to de-risk innovations and attract investment.

Innovative solutions

Frederic Coulon, Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology at Cranfield University and Director of EBIC, said: “Through this investment we can help researchers develop sustainable business models, conduct prototype testing and scale-up technologies like advanced biosensors, metal mining engineered bacteria and engineered biofilm solutions for water and waste management.

“We’ll also give Early Career Researchers training and mentorship to help them navigate commercialisation of their ideas. It’s a great boost to our researchers and will help us to bring transformative new technologies to fruition to benefit everyone.”

Commercialisation strategy

The new funding will help move technologies from early-stage development (TRL 2-3) through prototyping and scale-up (TRL 5-6), with a strong focus on business model development and commercialisation strategy.

The initiative will include:

• Commercial Viability Assessments: Early-stage ideas will be evaluated to determine their potential for market success. Researchers will receive bespoke market validation support to ensure their technologies have a clear path to commercialisation.
• Prototyping and Scale-up Support: Researchers will gain access to resources for prototype development, testing, and scale-up, helping to overcome technical and manufacturing challenges as they bring their innovations closer to market.
• Commercialisation Training and Mentorship: EBIC will offer tailored training and mentorship to its researchers, including guidance on business planning, market entry strategies, and navigating the complexities of spinning out new ventures.