IP2IPO and the University of Bristol sign a partnership deal

05 Dec 2005

IP2IPO Group plc (AIM: IPO) ("IP2IPO"), the intellectual property commercialisation company, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive long-term partnership with the University of Bristol. The University of Bristol is one of the leading research universities in the UK. In the most recent national Research Assessment Exercise, 15 of Bristol's departments - ten of them in science, engineering and medicine - received the top 5* rating.

A further 21 departments - eight in science, engineering and medicine - received a 5 rating. Under the terms of the partnership, IP2IPO has agreed to work with the University of Bristol to identify and facilitate the formation of spin-out companies from across the University and to invest an initial fund of £5 million in such companies in return for equity stakes in them. In addition, IP2IPO will receive 13.3% of the equity in spin-out companies from the University at the time that the company is established prior to investment. The partnership has a term of 25 years.

David Norwood, Chief Executive of IP2IPO, commented: "We are very pleased to be entering into this partnership with the University of Bristol and look forward to working with them to generate value from what we consider to be an exceptionally strong scientific research base. We have already identified a pipeline of very promising opportunities and are confident that the partnership will lead to the creation of an exciting portfolio of high-growth spin-out companies."

Professor Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, said: "We have an excellent track record in putting our research to work for the common good. Our partnership with IP2IPO is a way of building on our success in the field of enterprise and maximising the impact of the knowledge generated by Bristol academics."

For more information please contact:

IP2IPO 020 7489 5200
David Norwood, Chief Executive Officer  
Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000
Tim Anderson, Mark Court, Mary-Jane Johnson  
University of Bristol 0117 928 8867
Barry Taylor, Communications Director