In recent years the University’s research and innovation portfolio has been managed within a number of distinct groups.

The newly-created Office of Innovation brings together UUTech, the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) office and the Business Liaison Office (formerly known as ‘Regional Services’) into a single unit. I am pleased to report the completion of this reorganisation and appointment of our first Director of Innovation, Mr Tim Brundle. (Tim brings to us significant expertise and you can review his profile on the back page).

The creation of the Office of Innovation means that University staff have an enhanced level of support to explore the commercial potential of their research, to undertake consultancy or engage otherwise with business or community partners. But most importantly, external partners will now find it easier to engage with the University. Our external communications, including our internet presence, are being developed further. Overall, our short-term goal is to embed innovation at the core of the University’s work. We have made a lot of progress towards achieving that goal. In the longer term we aim to fulfil one of the University’s core aims — ‘To be a sector leader in Creativity and Innovation’.

We will enhance all stages in the provision of services to business, starting with easier interaction between business and the University. We intend to adopt a more sector-based focus to our engagement and do better to overcome one of the most frequently-cited differences between business and academia — the speed of delivery of services. The improvements will come from two-way dialogue, starting with the recent establishment of our Commercial Advisory Panel. Every interaction with business will help in leading us to the successful exploitation of our research. That is the University’s way of giving back to the region that supports it. Business and the University, working together, will lead to a better Northern Ireland for all of us.

We look forward to working with you in the future.

Professor Bernie Hannigan
PVC (Research and Innovation)

New therapeutics for ‘diabesity’

UU spin-out company, Diabetica Limited, is developing new therapeutics with which to tackle ‘diabesity’, the diabetes and obesity epidemic which represents one of the world’s major healthcare and socioeconomic challenges.

Diabetica was established in 2004 to exploit research discoveries at UU’s internationally renowned Diabetes Research Group. The company has established a rich patent-portfolio covering a number of important therapeutic and diagnostic technologies for diabetes and obesity.

Particular focus has been directed to Diabetica’s novel GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) platform-technology. The company has a growing patent-estate covering development of therapeutic products based on naturally occurring GIP gut peptide, exerting a number of effects that help the body maintain appropriate blood sugar levels.

Diabetica announced last year an exclusive out-licence to Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc, a world leader in diabetes therapeutics, to develop insulin-stimulating GIP agonist drugs, a deal that in time could total US$41million, as well as royalties on future sales.

Dr Neville McClenaghan, COO of Diabetica, said: “Diabetica has also established a further agreement with the diagnostics-arm of a global pharmaceutical company, to determine commercial viability of a novel biomarker for pre-diabetes/diabetes, discovered by UU scientists.

“Additionally we are developing proprietary insulin-sensitizing GIP antagonists, a new class of drug which our data indicates may provide effective non-invasive therapeutic tools with which to manage weight gain, clinical obesity and associated diabetes.”

If you have a project you would like to discuss, contact the Business Liaison Office, telephone 028 9036 8019 or email enquiry@ulster.ac.uk