IP Group news 0

IP Group plc (LSE: IPO), the developer of intellectual property based businesses, is pleased to note that departments in two of its partner universities have been announced as winners of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the highest accolade possible for an academic institution.

The Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (IMBE) at the University of Leeds and the Centre for Osmosis Research and Applications at the University of Surrey were both announced as winners of the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education.

Tissue Regenix Group plc, an IP Group portfolio company from the University of Leeds, was incorporated in May 2006 to commercialise the academic research of Professor Eileen Ingham and Professor John Fisher from the University of Leeds in the field of tissue decellularisation. Its dCELL® Technology comprises a patented process which removes cells and other components from human and animal tissue allowing it to be used without anti-rejection drugs to replace worn out or diseased body parts.

Antony Odell, Chief Executive of Tissue Regenix, commented:  “The Institute, led by Professors John Fisher and Eileen Ingham, has become the UK’s leading bioengineering research institution and this well respected accolade is much deserved. We believe that the quality of the technology emerging from the University has the potential to revolutionise aspects of healthcare and position Tissue Regenix as a leading player in the rapidly developing field of regenerative medicine.”

Modern Water plc, an IP Group portfolio company founded on technology from the University of Surrey, was established to build and exploit a portfolio of water technologies to address problems of the availability of fresh water and the treatment and disposal of wastewater.

Professor Adel Sharif, Director of the Centre for Osmosis Research and Applications (University of Surrey), said: “Our mission is to provide affordable access to water for drinking and irrigation purposes. The Queen's Anniversary Prize is a significant endorsement of our work.”

The ‘Diamond Jubilee’ (ninth) round presentations, to representatives from the winning institutions, will be made in February 2012 at a Buckingham Palace honours ceremony. The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education, awarded every two years, are part of the UK honours system, and promote world class excellence in UK universities and colleges.

For more information, please contact:

IP Group
Alan Aubrey, Chief Executive Officer
+44 (0) 20 7444 0050
Liz Vaughan-Adams,
Communications 
+44 (0) 20 7444 0062/07979 853802
[email protected]

FTI Consulting
Ben Atwell, John Dineen +44 (0) 20 7831 3113

Notes for editors

About IP Group

IP Group is a leading UK intellectual property ("IP") commercialisation company, developing technology innovations primarily from its research intensive partner universities. The Group offers more than traditional venture capital, providing its companies with access to business building expertise, networks, recruitment and business support.

The Company's portfolio comprises holdings in over 60 companies including Oxford Nanopore Technologies, the DNA sequencing development company, Revolymer, best known for its removable chewing gum and Xeros, which has received many accolades for its revolutionary clothes washing techniques with a much reduced requirement for water.

The portfolio includes early stage to mature businesses and has exposure to five main sectors – Energy & Renewables, Medical Equipment & Supplies, Pharma & Biotech, IT & Communications and Chemicals & Materials. To date, thirteen of the portfolio companies IP Group has backed have listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and one on PLUS Markets.

Founded in 2001, IP Group listed on AIM in October 2003 and moved to the Official List in June 2006. The Group now has long-term partnerships with twelve core universities including those under its commercialisation agreement with Fusion IP plc.

For more information, please visit our website at www.ipgroupplc.com.

About the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes

The Royal Anniversary Trust is an independent charity – registered number 1,000,000 – concerned with the advancement of education for public benefit. It was set up in 1990 with the object of carrying out a programme of events and activities during 1992, funded and supported from private sources with official endorsement, to mark the 40th anniversary of The Queen’s accession and her years of service as Head of State.  The Trust currently works to promote world class excellence in UK universities and colleges through The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education.
http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/