6th March 2009

The QED Bio-Entrepreneur School which commences 10th March for three days has seen a record number of applicants with well over double the number of applicants for the 30 places available.

QED Enterprise Director Martijn Mugge says, “The number of good applicants interested in the commercialisation of bioscience projects shows how healthy the sector is despite the recession. We have had a very difficult exercise deciding who to offer a place on the school and many candidates will have been unfortunate, as both the quantity and the quality of applicants to the school has increased year on year.”

The QED Bio-Entrepreneur School, which is core-funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) through the Greater Nottingham Partnership, is held in partnership with BioCity Nottingham and forms a valued part of its endeavours to help build the East Midlands bio-science sector by offering investment and incubation facilities to start up and growing bio-science operations.

BioCity Chief Executive Glenn Crocker says, “The demand for the Bio-Entrepreneur school confirms our belief that the bio-science sector remains attractive despite the current global recession. We are still seeing buoyant interest in the commercialisation of innovative bio-science projects and no reduction in the number of such projects being developed.”

The 2009 Bio-Entrepreneur School will draw on the expertise of many of its sponsors throughout the programme. These include patent experts AdamsonJones, together with UK Trade & Investment, Nelsons Solicitors, Connect Midlands, the science and technology risk and insurance experts La Playa, Nottingham City Council and accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The School runs over three days and delegates will get the opportunity to take part in:
Knowledge sharing sessions where professionals who work closely with academics, researchers and entrepreneurs will show how they have turned their ideas into successful businesses
Practical Exercises to help to put the learning into practice and work on real opportunities with the support of peers and the team
Workshop sessions where experts will help to build skills or deal with the practicalities of business
Informal sessions to network with investors, entrepreneurs, sector specialists, etc.

The encouraging level and quality of applicants for the QED Bio-Entrepreneur School is welcomed by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda)
Mike Carr, Executive Director of Business Services at emda said: “The healthcare and bioscience sector is one in which the East Midlands enjoys a clear advantage and we are determined to ensure that it has every opportunity to develop and thrive in the region. The success of the QED Bio-Entrepreneur School in attracting high quality bioscience commercialisation projects in 2009 shows how well the sector is performing despite the current economic climate. The school is not only a barometer of the sector’s strength but also an important contributor to the flow of bioscience projects which are successfully commercialising in this region.”

The QED Bio-Entrepreneur School 2009 takes place during the iFestival, an annual celebration of innovation in the region, running from the 6th March to 17th April, which is also funded by emda, and coordinated by emda and East Midlands Innovation (the Regional Science and Industry Council).
/ENDS

Notes:
Media enquiries:
Louise Third, Integra Communications Ltd
0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342 louise@integracommunications.co.uk
QED Consulting:
Amanda Edwards
01302 767884

Notes:
The QED Bio-Entrepreneur School takes place from Tuesday 10th – Thursday 12th March 2009 at BioCity Nottingham, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GF

Detailed information and registration instructions on www.bioentrepreneur.co.uk

Sponsor details:
BioCity Nottingham Ltd was formed in October 2002. The company develops and operates bioscience and healthcare related incubation and innovation facilities and provides finance and support to companies in the sector. The first facility was opened in Nottingham in September 2003 and Phase 3, in the form of grow-on space, opened in October 2008. BioCity Nottingham is currently home to over 60 businesses.
BioCity was founded by Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham and East Midlands Development Agency. The site the company is developing in Nottingham was originally gifted to Nottingham Trent University by BASF plc.

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.
Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) ‘A Flourishing Region’, which sets out regional priorities until 2020. 
The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; ‘Prosperity Through People’ and ‘Destination 2010’.  In early 2007 the National Audit Office announced emda had received the highest possible grade of 'performing strongly' in an independent assessment of our work - scoring 22 out of 24. For more details visit www.emda.org.uk .

AdamsonJones is a forward-looking, client-focused patent and trade mark firm offering a full range of intellectual property services in the UK, Europe and throughout the world.  Based at BioCity Nottingham, we specialise in helping companies in the bioscience sector add value to their businesses through the creation and development of a strong IP portfolio.

Nottingham City Council is working closely with partners across the City to capitalize on the accolade of having been awarded 'Science City' status by the government. Nottingham Science City is committed to pro-actively supporting the growth of the Science & Technology sector in Nottingham and its conurbation, in recognition of the importance of this sector to the growth of our 'Knowledge Economy' and our global competitiveness. Science & Technology has been identified as one of the City's five priority growth sectors. The ‘BioMed’ sub-sector is of particular importance to the City in growing its presence and reputation in this niche market. The Council works with a range of organisations, including Bio-Science businesses, to raise its profile within this market promoting the City’s strengths under the new ‘BioMed Nottingham’ brand.

UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams.  For more information visit the website http://www.emids.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/

One of the largest law firms in the East Midlands with offices in Nottingham, Leicester and Derby, Nelsons is acknowledged as a ‘regional heavyweight’ by Legal 500, a leading independently-researched legal directory.
The firm’s Commerce & Technology Group provides advice to businesses on a wide range of matters, including commercial contract and partnership law, UK and European Union competition law, and intellectual property issues.
Connect Midlands is a not-for-profit network, that supports technology and high growth companies to gain investment through training and mentoring, investment showcasing, and networking between businesses, investors and the professional services community in the Midlands. www.connectmidlands.org

The member firms of the PricewaterhouseCoopers network provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 146,000 people in 150 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.
Unless otherwise indicated, 'PricewaterhouseCoopers' refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (www.pwc.com/uk) a limited liability partnership incorporated in England. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited.

La Playa is an award winning insurance broker authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. With specialist advice in Science & Technology, our bespoke insurance-based services are designed to factor insurable risk out of investment in scientific innovation, whether you’re an inventor, investor, entrepreneur, mentor or otherwise engaged in this field. We cater to a wide variety of industry sectors, and are committed to outstanding service and first class advice.