Monday 23rd March 2009
 

Natto, a food supplement to tackle bone disease, is one of three new eminate-developed products to be celebrated at a gathering of business leaders and academics on Thursday 26th March at BioCity Nottingham. eminate, a subsidiary of The University of Nottingham, will be joined by development partners Honda Trading Europe Limited, Leatherhead Food International and The University of Nottingham to mark the successful completion of product trials to benefit the food technology and healthcare sectors.

With backing from the government-funded Technology Strategy Board and the collaborative support of leading commercial and academic partners, eminate has taken just fifteen months to bring three products – Natto Capsules, Ultra-fine Salt and machinery wear-resistant coating – closer to market. The gathering at BioCity on 26th March will enable eminate, the Technology Strategy Board, the University of Nottingham, Honda Trading Europe Limited and Leatherhead Food International to describe how it has been possible to translate technical know-how quickly and efficiently into product reality.

“We have created a new way of doing business,” says eminate CEO Dr Roger Carline who joined the company last year. “By setting clear objectives, defining partner roles and identifying market opportunities we are achieving the purposes for which eminate was established. We are now ready to share this innovative business model with other leading public and private organisations in the East Midlands.”

From their BioCity facilities, eminate provides a range of advanced technologies and services focused on materials for the healthcare and food sectors. Access to seven of the region’s top Universities has made a real difference to the rate of progress. The University of Nottingham has been instrumental in the development of the machinery wear-resistant coating.

Dr Richard Masterman, Director Research Innovation Services, The University of Nottingham and Chair of eminate says: “This is an exciting development which draws on the University’s excellent research base. eminate provides new ways of bridging between research and industry focusing on innovative product development.”

A commercial partnership with the Food Division of Honda Trading Europe Limited will accelerate the commercialisation of the Natto Capsule through access to global market links.

Honda Trading Europe Managing Director Toshiyuki Sakakibara says: “Honda Trading has a firm target, even a dream, to bring the health benefits of natto to the wider public. We are excited about the realisation of this dream, and by the opportunities we see in working closely with eminate towards further product development. We congratulate eminate in achieving commercial supply of Natural Natto Vitamin K2 within a demanding time frame, and are very pleased to be part of this strategic alliance.”

The third eminate product, Ultra-fine Salt, has undergone trials in bread production with the assistance of major food technology research organisation Leatherhead Food International.

Alice Pegg, Head of Food Innovation at Leatherhead Food International says: “LFI has been working in the area of healthy food and snacks for many years. Our research on salt showed a link between salt particle size and saltiness perception, which has the potential of reducing salt levels in products. LFI and eminate are working in partnership to develop this further, using eminate’s novel manufacturing process and LFI’s application knowledge and food industry links, enabling this to be communicated effectively into the food industry, and help move scientific developments into the factory, and on to benefit the consumer.”

eminate will encourage guests at the BioCity gathering to adopt this partnership business model to help generate new products and processes: “The East Midlands has an excellent base of innovative companies who can benefit from access to our in-house facilities, academic excellence and international partners,” says Roger Carline.

ENDS
Press representatives are invited to join the partners and guests from 12:30 – 14:00.
The photo call and interviews take place between 13:15 – 13:45.
Media contacts for press passes and interviews:
Louise Third, Integra Communications: 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342
Tim Utton, The University of Nottingham press office: 0115 846 8092
NOTES:
eminate
eminate Limited is located in Biocity Nottingham, Europe’s biggest bioincubator. A wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Nottingham launched in 2006, eminate’s investors include the Technology Strategy Board through its Micro-Nano Technology initiative who have funded eminate to provide industry with nano- and micro- technology solutions to real market needs in health.
www.eminate.co.uk
The University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 100 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and Times Higher (THE) World University Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to RAE 2008, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranks the University 7th in the UK by research power. In 27 subject areas, the University features in the UK Top Ten, with 14 of those in the Top Five.

The University provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's "only truly global university", it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation – School of Pharmacy), and was named ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2008.
Nottingham was designated as a Science City in 2005 in recognition of its rich scientific heritage, industrial base and role as a leading research centre. Nottingham has since embarked on a wide range of business, property, knowledge transfer and educational initiatives (www.science-city.co.uk) in order to build on its growing reputation as an international centre of scientific excellence. The University of Nottingham is a partner in Nottingham: the Science City.
Honda Trading Europe Limited
Honda Trading is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Honda Motor Corporation. Utilizing Honda’s global reach, excellence in solution driven management and good business practice, we proudly play a pivotal role within the Honda Group. Our General Merchandise division focuses on food, renewable energy, and print management. We have been breeding and processing non GMO soybeans in the USA for supply to soymilk, tofu and natto manufacturers in Japan, the USA and Europe for many years. Presenting natto as a health food is a natural step for us. Strict adherence to good business practice and demanding environmental standards will enable us to fulfill our ultimate goal: to be a company that society wants to exist.
www.hondatrading.eu.com

Leatherhead Food International
Leatherhead Food International (LFI) is proudly independent and has been providing solutions and services to the food and drink industry since 1919.
LFI is renowned for its comprehensive Global Food Regulation services, applied Food Safety Research, Nutrition and Food Innovation expertise. These technical areas are complemented by a wide range of Knowledge services including publications, training, consultancy, market research, conferences, and online databases.
LFI clients use our services and solutions to ensure their businesses, from dynamic start-ups and SMEs through to the largest multinationals, can meet the challenges of today’s ever changing market place. Our client list reads like a who's who of the global food industry and includes ingredient suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and foodservice businesses.
www.leatherheadfood.com
The Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its role is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life. It is sponsored by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). For further information please visit www.innovateuk.org.
BioCity Nottingham
BioCity Nottingham Ltd develops and operates bioscience and healthcare related incubation and innovation facilities. 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 60 fast-growing companies, including R&D and business support services.
BioCity was founded by Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham and East Midlands Development Agency.
www.biocity.co.uk