All Licensing Opportunities

We have colour coded the opportunities by product type to make it easier to pick out the opportunities that you are interested in.  Material sales (e.g. hybridomas and other cell lines) are listed under the materials sales section of the website.

  • 27044 Fluorcanasite glass ceramic for dentistry

    Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a novel, fully-synthetic fluorcanasite material with class-leading properties that is inexpensive to produce

    View more

    The dental market is well positioned to expand quickly over the next 30 years with 2 key underlying trends set to drive growth:

    • an ageing and relatively wealthy population in the advanced economies

    • rapid growth of a new middle-class in the emerging economies that will yield at least one billion new dental patients

    Within the dental market sector, indirect dental restorations are a large and growing market, with over 20 million dental restorations carried out in the US per year and in the UK in 1998, over 55% of dentate adults had at least one decayed or unsound tooth.

    Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a novel, fully-synthetic fluorcanasite material with class-leading properties and that is inexpensive to produce. Our material, Fluorcanasite S82, is stronger than currently available materials, has higher fracture toughness, has class leading aesthetic properties and is designed to be machinable with all common CAD/CAM systems. Fluorcanasite is strikingly more similar in appearance to a real tooth than competitor products.

    We are currently undertaking work to ensure regulatory compliance for the material and are making rapid progress towards compiling a data file suitable for applying for CE marking/FDA approval.

     

    For further information please download the summary document below:

    Outlicensingopportunity27044Fluorcanasiteglassceramicfordentistry.pdf

  • 27041 Catalytic methods for preparation of chiral amines

    Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed and optimised new systems for the preparation of chiral amines in almost quantitative yield and as, essentially, one stereoisomer. 

    View more

    The worldwide pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry has an increasing need for more efficient and selective methods for the construction of molecules of high commercial value. However, many organic, biochemical and biological compounds are chiral (that is they have a structure that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image) which, when used as pharmaceuticals, can differ markedly in their efficacy or toxicity. Additionally, strict regulatory procedures introduced after previous problems with pharmaceutical stereo isomers) now dictate that any chiral compounds (existing as two enantiomeric molecules) must be evaluated in both of these forms. This has led to an enormous global interest in developing new methods and techniques for the production of chiral molecules. Controlling the chirality of the final product using current methods is complicated and involves a great deal of optimisation of many different factors which affect the outcome of the catalytic process, such as the catalyst structure, catalyst loading, solvent, temperature and time. Relatively minor changes in any one of these factors can have a significant and often detrimental effect on the stereo chemical outcome of the reaction.

    Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed and optimised new systems for the preparation of chiral amines in almost quantitative yield and as, essentially, one stereoisomer. Their system is also unique since it allows a ‘one-pot’ two-step transformation, operating efficiently with only 1% of catalyst compared to those reported in the literature, which require 10%. These catalysts also have the advantage of being easily prepared and do not require transition metals, which can be expensive and can contaminate the end product.

    For more information please download a summary of the technology from the link below

    Outlicensingopportunity27041Catalyticmethodsforpreparationofchiralamines.pdf

  • 30024 – Novel Synthesis of Novel Aromatic Boronic Esters

    Researchers in the Sheffield Synthesis Solutions (S3) group at the University of Sheffield have developed a new synthesis route for aromatic boronic esters.  The resulting molecular structures (Figure 1a) represent a novel and valuable addition to a recognised class of important synthetic intermediates.  Highly functionalised aromatic rings can be synthesised in an ambient temperature, one-pot process, with improved regioselectivity over alternative methodologies.  The boronic ester functionality (BPin) provides a straightforward method to then incorporate the ring structure into a more complex molecule.  The method has been shown to include synthesis of substituted quinones (Figure 1b) As well as their role as synthetic intermediates, boronic acids and their esters have demonstrated bioactivity in their own right.  For example, Bortezomib (Velcade®) is a therapeutic proteasome inhibitor that has received FDA approval for treating multiple myeloma.  At Sheffield, the synthesis route has therefore been used to access new chemical space for drug discovery programmes; several groups of molecules are currently being investigated for bioactivity in conjunction with colleagues in Molecular Biology and the Medical School.Research is currently continuing to expand the synthesis into further novel areas of chemical space, and scale-up the process from milligram/gram scale to 50-100 gram quantities.

    View more

    Intellectual Property

    A UK patent application was filed in December 2010 encompassing both the synthesis route and the resulting novel molecular structures.

     

    The Opportunity

    The synthesis methodology offers a route to extend the known catalogue of boronic esters to encompass much more complex structures, potentially over 100 molecules.  We are seeking partners in the specialist and fine chemical sector to licence the technology for production, marketing & distribution.

    In addition we are also seeking end-users to collaborate on screening the novel molecules for bioactivity and other properties, especially in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and organic electronics industries.

     

    For a summary of this technology please download the PDF below:

    30024Synthesisofnovelaromaticboronicesters.pdf

  • 30016 Cytotoxic ruthenium complexes  

    Several research groups have reported that certain transition metal complexes bind reversibly to DNA, whereupon they function as “light switches” i.e. display luminescence which is absent (quenched) in aqueous media.  Scientists at the University of Sheffield have been investigating the properties of one such group of mononuclear ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes.

    View more

    The complexes function effectively as multifunctional DNA probes, allowing their use as imaging agents in TEM and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).  In cellulo images have been acquired from both live and fixed cells, and it has been demonstrated that the complexes are taken into the cell by an active transport mechanism.

    The complexes have also been shown to have potent cytotoxicity comparable to cisplatin for several cancer cell lines.  Cisplatin is the leading treatment for a variety of cancers, including metastatic breast and ovarian tumours; however, most tumours develop a resistance towards these platinum-based treatments which limits their practical effectiveness.  Most importantly the mononuclear Ru complexes studied at Sheffield continue to display cytotoxicity in a cisplatin-resistant daughter cell line, indicating a different mode of action to cisplatin.

    Intellectual Property

    A patent application has been filed that covers various aspects of this technology.

    The Opportunity

    The complexes have potential as the basis for of a new class of anticancer chemotherapy drug, with the advantage of acting as their own contrast agent for localisation in TEM & CSLM images.  Current development is directed towards establishing the exact mechanisms of cytotoxicity and cell entry in preparation for trials in living organisms.  Partners with complementary expertise and facilities are sought for this in vivo work and subsequent development of promising lead compounds.  We are also seeking speciality chemical companies to licence manufacture and distribute the complexes as multifunctional imaging agents for cellular DNA.

    For more information, please download a one page summary below.

    30016Rutheniumbasedcomplexes.pdf

  • 29028 Prevention of Bacterial Adhesion  

    We are seeking a development partner or potential licensee for a series of novel peptides that exhibit extremely high non-specific inhibition of bacterial adhesion to epithelial cell surfaces developed at the University of Sheffield.

    View more

    The peptides have been tested in vitro in two separate epithelial cell lines and they have shown >50% prevention of bacterial adhesion in all of 7 different bacterial species tested so far.

    We believe that these molecules present an attractive basis for the developed of prophylactic anti-bacterial product to prevent hospital acquired infections.

    • Three peptide molecules based on the extracellular domain of tetraspanins (proteins found in the membranes of epithelial cells) have been created that interfere with bacterial binding

    Recombinant versions of these proteins are active at nM concentrations and both forms are stable for >12 months at -20°C

    Intellectual Property

    A patent application has been filed that covers various aspects of this technology and its possible applications.

    The Opportunity

    We are currently seeking a commercial partner and licensee to collaborate on the pre-clinical and clinical development of these proteins and peptides as a prophylactic product to prevent the occurrence of hospital acquired infections.


    For more information on this opportunity please download a 1-page summary from the link below:


    29028nonconfidentialsummary.pdf

  • 29023 Therapeutics for prion diseases

    A research group at the University of Sheffield have discovered a novel class of compounds in cellular assays for anti-prion activity.  The best known property of cellular prion protein (PrPC) is its unique ability to undergo conformational change into a pathogenic conformer, PrPSc, that accumulates in the brain as insoluble aggregates. This process leads to neuronal dysfunction and progressive neurodegeneration, a distinctive feature shared by all transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), a family of lethal neurodenenerative diseases including scrapie in sheep, “mad cow disease” (BSE) in cattle, Kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. There is currently no effective treatment.

    View more

    Prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are invariably fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans and animals. As yet, no effective curative or prophylactic therapy exists. 

    Cellular prion protein, PrPC, is a membrane-anchored, neuronal glycoprotein. Its primary sequence consists of a linear peptide chain of approximately 210 amino acids encoded by the human PRNP gene, located on chromosome 20. The protein is synthesised in the endoplasmic reticulum, transits the Golgi, then is delivered to the outer membrane as a peripheral membrane protein covalently attached to lipid rafts (via GPI anchor) where it participates in its normal function(s). PrPC is expressed in many cell types, especially neuronal cells, and its architecture is well reserved across vertebrates, although a clearly defined role in evolution and normal physiological function remain elusive. In the past two decades, an impressive number of studies have investigated nearly every aspect of prion function.

    The best known property of PrPC is its unique ability to undergo conformational change into a pathogenic conformer, PrPSc, that accumulates in the brain as insoluble aggregates. This process leads to neuronal dysfunction and progressive neurodegeneration, a distinctive feature shared by all transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), a family of lethal neurodenenerative diseases including scrapie in sheep, “mad cow disease” (BSE) in cattle, Kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. There is currently no effective treatment.

    A research group at the University of Sheffield has been engaged in discovering lead compounds against prion proteins. We have now filed a patent application on a novel class of indole-3-glyoxylamide compounds with potent antiprion activities in cellular assay. This class of compounds have good preliminary in vitro DMPK profiles in general.  For summary information please download the summary document below: 

    290231pagesummary.pdf

  • 25010 Speech Therapy Software

    Academics at Sheffield (Prof. Rosemary Varley and Dr Sandra Whiteside) have developed clinical evidence-based software that has been shown to treat apraxia and aphasia in clinical trials. 

    View more

    This software has now been exclusively licensed. 

  • 26087 Magnetic MEMS Sensor Platform

    A sensor platform technology, in which smart magnetic layers have been added to the cantilever beam in Micro-Electro-Mechanical systems (MagMEMS), has been developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield. In sensing applications, the MEMS cantilever beam is coated with appropriate functionalised layers (FL) to detect specific analytes.  The analyte sticks to the FL causing a mass increase and change in the resonant frequency of the cantilever.  Standard means of measuring this change in resonant frequency use either optical or electrical detection protocols.  Both methods add cost to the fabrication and limit the utility of the detection device. Key features and benefits of the Sheffield MagMEMS technology are: No direct contact or line of sight access to the cantilever is required.  Inductive coupling is used, giving the possibility of deployment in remote or hostile environments: this extends the application area of such technology. Using the magnetic field dependence of Young's modulus (the ΔE-effect) in carefully chosen smart magnetic materials, the beam resonance can be tuned. This means that the shift in resonant frequency does not need to be tracked, detection is only at resonance: this dramatically simplifies system complexity and hence cost.

    View more

    Intellectual Property

    This technology is protected by UK Patent GB 2 444 510 A and international filings in US, EU, Japan, Australia and Canada.

    The Opportunity

    The MagMEMS sensor platform technology offers the opportunity for wireless integration into microfluidic devices for rapid onsite detection systems.  The development of appropriate FLs would offer a wide range of application areas including:

    • Biosensors for medical diagnostics (e.g. detection of pathogens such as MRSA)
    • Chemical analysis (e.g. fuel additives)
    • Environmental monitoring (e.g. detection of persistent chemicals in the water system)

    Researchers at the University of Sheffield have demonstrated the MagMEMS platform.  We are now seeking commercial licensing and collaborative development opportunities in a range of sensing applications.

    For more information, please click on the link to download a 1-page summary of this technology.

    26087MagneticMEMSSensorPlatform.pdf

  • 27006 Vortex control to reduce drag  

    Aerodynamics researchers at Sheffield have designed a series of special vortex generating shock control bumps that can substantially reduce the drag on a transport aircraft when cruising at altitude and transonic speed.

    View more

    The group have previously published papers about the advantages of bumps but recent advances mean that their specially engineered Vortex Generating Shock Control Bumps are tolerant to changes in the angle of attack as experienced by the aircraft as the fuel payload is consumed during long flights.

    Intellectual Property

    Our patent filing protects the design of specially engineered Vortex Controlled Bumps that are tolerant to changes in aerofoil angle of attack as experienced as the aircraft fuel payload is consumed during long flights.

    The Opportunity

    Applications for these engineered bumps could include:

    • Substantial reduction in aircraft wing drag
    • Improvement in helicopter rotor blade performance
    • Improvement to jet engine blade designs to obtain higher engine efficiency


    For more information, download a 1-page summary using the link below:

    27006nonconfidentialsummary.pdf

  • 29038 Ultra-Broadband Superluminescent Diodes

    The first broadband high-power quantum dot superluminsecent diodes (QD-SLDs) to have been intermixed with a significant blue-shift in their operating wavelength have been demonstrated by Researchers at the University of Sheffield. This process could open the door to high bandwidth active devices comprising regions of different wavelengths that meet the demands of, for example, optical imaging of the eye and other skin tissue.

    View more

    Key features and benefits of this proprietary technology are:

    • Post- epitaxial growth intermixing for realising greater than 100 nm bandwidth sources
    • Modulation p-doping in the SLD for optimizing optical quality
    • Central emission wavelength of the intermixed sample blue shifted by ca. 100 nm which can lead to breakthrough and innovative selective area intermixed QD-SLD devices for high resolution imaging

    Intellectual Property

    This technology is protected by Patent Application filed in December 2009.

     

    The Opportunity

    The unique property of QD-SLDs, where high power output and broadband emission are simultaneously realised, make them ideal optical sources for many applications:

    • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) biomedical imaging applications - imaging the eye and other skin tissue
    • Fibre optic gyroscopes
    • Optical telecoms – wavelength division multiplexing

    The Researchers at Sheffield’s Centre for III-V materials have established demonstration facilities and considerable experience in OCT imaging systems. We are seeking commercial licensing and collaborative development opportunities for OCT and other cutting-edge applications.

    For more information, please click on the link to download a 1-page summary of this technology

    290381pagesummary.pdf

  • 27017 Nano-Goniometer for Electron Microscopy

    A research group at Sheffield University has designed a new multi-functional nanomanipulation device for specimens in the field of electron microscopic imaging. The device allows to perform manipulation and imaging processes in parallel and features translational and rotational degrees-of-freedom. In spite of its complex drive mechanism based on piezo-electric nanoactuation, the drive fits into a standard electron microscope goniometer. It complements the degrees-of-freedom built into a microscope by this “goniometer in goniometer” approach.

    View more

    Prospective fields of use will include:
    •Nanoscale resolution electron tomography with unlimited tilt range.

    •Contacting, welding and mechanical testing with user-defined crystallographic orientation relationships

    •Nanofabrication by beam-induced specimen modification (deposition/ablation)

     

    Intellectual Property

    A patent application on the device has been filed covering its use in numerous applications.

    Markets

    Sectors for application of such a goniometer comprise: composite materials research, physics and chemistry of atomic contact zones, semiconductor device technology, biomaterials, Catalysis and nanoparticle research

    Click on the link below for a one-page information sheet

    27017 Nano-goniometer.pdf

  • 26037 – Portable Water Purification System

    The technology is based on forward osmosis, an established method of water purification.  The complete system consists of a semi-permeable membrane encasing a superabsorbent polymer.  When this assembly is immersed in dirty or contaminated water, only the water (solvent) molecules are able to pass through the membrane and are absorbed by the polymer.  Particulate matter, viruses, bacteria, heavy metals and fertiliser residues all remain in the original impure water.  The same process could potentially be used for desalination of seawater.

    View more

    When required the water can be extracted from the polymer, thus regenerating the system ready for immediate reuse.  This reversibility is a key advantage of the technology over other systems which require replacement of salts to drive the forward osmosis process each time.

    By placing the membrane+polymer assembly into an outer bag or other container, the device becomes suitable for mobile use (Figure 1).  Filling the outer container with dirty water means there is no need to remain next to the water source while filtration takes place. A small device could easily be carried in a rucksack to provide a personal renewable supply of pure water.

     

    Intellectual Property

    A patent application WO/2008/059219 has been filed on the technology. 

     

    The Opportunity

    The technology has the potential to provide pure drinking water in an emergency, or for anyone spending extended periods of time in remote locations, for example hikers or military personnel.  We are currently seeking partners and licensees to collaborate on commercial development of this technology, including improvements to extend the lifetime of the membrane.

    Please download a PDF summary of this technology from the link below:

    26037Waterpurificationsystem.pdf

  • 27067 “Dry Water”  

    Polymer scientists at Sheffield University have developed sterically-stabilised latex particles prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerisation.  At an appropriate pH, these particles are highly hydrophobic, so they adsorb onto and coat millimetre-sized water droplets, producing so-called “liquid marbles” i.e. small spherical particles that contain water but do not wet their surroundings. Agitating a mixture of submicrometer-sized latex particles and water breaks the water up into much smaller 10-20 µm droplets, with each individual water droplet completely encased by a latex shell “dry water”.  The same principle can be used to encapsulate not only pure water but also dilute aqueous solutions of water-soluble species.   When required, simply rubbing the powder produces sufficient shear to disrupt the shell and hence release the contents of the capsule.

    View more

    The novel latex-based technology developed at Sheffield has two major advantages.  Firstly, the encapsulation can be broken not only by mechanical forces but also by lowering the pH of the surrounding liquid.  This means water can be released on demand without physical contact.  Secondly, the encapsulating polymer could be modified to impart a specific surface functionality to the particles.

    Intellectual Property

    A patent application has been filed that covers various aspects of this technology and likely applications; see WO 2010/092191 and Dupin D., Armes S.P., Fujii  S.  J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 2009 5387

     

    The Opportunity

    We are currently seeking partners and licensees to collaborate on commercial development of this micro-encapsulation technology.  Based on initial data, possible applications include cosmetics, gas sensors and gas/liquid catalytic reactions, and there may also be applications in biotechnology including drug delivery.

    For more information please download a one page summary from the link below:

    27067Anonconfidentialsummary.pdf

  • 29004-B Thermo-Responsive Aqueous Polymer Gels

    Polymer scientists at Sheffield University have designed new anisotropic worm-like copolymer particles (see Figure 1) that form free-standing gels in water at room temperature. These gels are shear-thinning at room temperature. Cooling such gels to below 10oC lead to free-flowing, low-viscosity aqueous solutions (see Figure 2). Rheology studies confirm that this sol-gel thermal transition is reversible, with relatively little hysteresis. The gel properties (critical gelation temperature and gel strength) can be tuned by varying the copolymer concentration and also by adjusting the mean length of the worm-like particles.   In principle, such gels can be readily sterilised simply by ultrafiltration at sub-ambient temperatures.

    View more

     

    Intellectual Property

    A patent application has been filed that covers various aspects of this technology and likely applications.

    The Opportunity

    We are currently seeking commercial partners and licensees to collaborate on the technical development of the utility of these particles.  Based on initial data, we anticipate that these materials will be useful for:

    • Injectable gels for drug release applications
    • Thermo-responsive gels for organ printing (as an alternative to tissue engineering)
    • Viscosity modifiers for cosmetic formulations
    • Scaffolds or templates for the deposition of inorganic oxides (or other inorganic materials)

    For further information, please download the summary document from the link below:

    29004Bnonconfidentialsummary.pdf

  • 29004-A Tunable organic nanoparticles  

    Polymer scientists at Sheffield University can produce a new class of polymer nanoparticles, whose dimensions can be readily tuned over the 25 to 100 nm range by varying the synthesis conditions (see Y. T. Li and S. P. Armes, Angewandte Chem., 2010, 49, 4042). These particle syntheses are very efficient and can be conveniently conducted in aqueous solution at 10-20 % solids in the absence of any surfactant using inexpensive vinyl monomers.  Chemical functionality can also be easily introduced to confer either cationic or anionic surface charge on these nanoparticles.

    View more

     

    Intellectual Property

    A patent application has been filed that covers various aspects of this technology and likely applications.

    The Opportunity

    We are currently seeking commercial partners and licensees to collaborate on the technical development of the utility of these particles.  Based on initial data, we anticipate that these materials will be useful for:

     

    • Deposition of inorganic materials on their surface to form (for example) Anti-reflective coatings
    • New Pickering emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions
    • Vesicles for biomedical research applications
    • Novel ink, paint and dye formulations

    For more information, please download a one-page summary of this technology from the link below.

    29004Anonconfidentialsummary.pdf

  • 24035 Block co-polymer

    A research group at the University of Sheffield have developed an opalescent (photonic) ink without the use of dyes. The material is suited to applications in printing, particularly in security.

    View more

    Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a film of a block copolymer dissolved in an acrylate blend. The block copolymer phase-separates in this blend to create a lamella phase. This lamella phase creates the optical colour shift effect. When the acrylates are exposed to UV irradiation they crosslink to form a hard chemically robust film. UV acrylates are commonly used in the print industry.

    The domain size is large enough to reflect light, without the use of dyes.

    The result is an opalescent film, the colour of which changes depending on the viewing angle. 

    For more information please download the non-confidential summary pdf from the link below:

    24035 one page summary.pdf

  • 31019 CLEAR IDEAS  

    ‘CLEAR IDEAS’ is a complete approach to the effective management of change in any type of organization, for example developing novel products, introducing new services and achieving cost savings. Unlike the majority of creativity training initiatives that serve only to generate ideas, CLEAR IDEAS also includes the practical implementation of those ideas in the workplace.

    View more

    This innovative training model for organizations has been developed during the past six years at the University of Sheffield by Dr Kamal Birdi, a Chartered Occupational Psychologist with 20 years experience of working with organizations. As would be expected, CLEAR IDEAS has a rigorous basis arising from both a comprehensive review of the global research literature and empirical studies in the Institute of Work Psychology. The IDEAS section (Illuminate, Detail, Erupt, Assess, Select) teaches participants a creative problem-solving approach to define opportunities for innovation, then generate new ideas and select the best ones. The subsequent CLEAR section (Commit, Lead, Engage, Align, Review) gives participants a structured approach addressing all the aspects needed to bring those ideas to a successful fruition

     
    Intellectual Property
    The training course is structured around a workbook and presentation materials protected by copyright (University of Sheffield).


    The Opportunity
    Partners are sought either to use the training module as the basis of a franchise operation, or to adapt it for their own use as a dedicated consultancy or in-house training package. So far CLEAR IDEAS has been used in a flexible format, ranging from a one hour general introduction to a two-day workshop tailored to the needs of an individual organization. It has been used by large and small organizations in both the private and public sector with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

    For more information please download a summary from the link below:

    31019ClearIdeas.pdf

Focus on

24035 Block co-polymer film

A research group at the University of Sheffield have developed an opalescent (photonic) ink without the use of dyes. The material is suited to applications in printing, particularly in security.

View similar Opportunities »

Key