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

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    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. 

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    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

  • 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.

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    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

  • 27012 FPGA system for protein identification

    This system reduces the time required to identify a protein from mass spectrometry data from tens of minutes to less than 100 milliseconds

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    This is achieved by running bioinformatics algorithms on highly optimised digital processors that are programmed to run on a 'reconfigurable chip', the FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). An FPGA is a type of digital integrated circuit that can be reprogrammed after it is manufactured. The FPGA devices sit on a reconfigurable card that is interfaced with a PC via the standard PCI bus. The card can be configured to have 4 FPGA devices and 3Gbytes of RAM memory to store entire protein databases.  The processing speed of this system allows the user to get a match to a database entry in real-time.

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

    LicensingOpportunity27012FPGAsystemforrealtimeproteinidentification.pdf

  • 28076 Bacteria Binding Polymers  

    A research group at the University of Sheffield have developed stimulus responsive polymers  - these pass from an open coil, which is fully solvated by water, to more compact globule in aqueous media as the environment changes.  The team observed that when bacteria are bound in this way, not only does the polymer collapse into the globular form but also  the bacteria adhere strongly to the polymer and they form aggregates.

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    Intellectual Property

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

    The Opportunity

    The immediate commercial potential of this technology is for reducing the bacterial content of chronic infected wounds.  It can also be used for many other applications for  removing bacteria from liquids that are passed over the polymer, in microfluidic devices or in production systems. The technology may also have applications in the lining of  biological perfusion devices, e.g. dialysis membranes to reduce bacteria   and the lining of catheters that go into the body to reduce bacteria


    For more information please download the 1-page summary of the technology below:

    28076nonconfidentialsummary.pdf

  • 27075 Promoting cell adhesion to surfaces  

    A research group at the University of Sheffield have developed a unique water-based coating system that can be used to impart adhesion and proliferation of human cells to materials that were previously poorly adherent. e.g. a non-cell adhesive poly(glycolide-co-lactide) (polygalactin 910) mesh was made cell adhesive.  The system has been used to convert non-cell adhesive materials into substrates for cell culture that can out-perform commercially available tissue culture substrates.

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    The production method produces a latex (an aqueous nanodispersion of polymer particles with diameters in the 50 – 800 nm range) which is an ideal form for coating medical devices using the already established spraying and dipping procedures. A schematic of the coating process is shown in figure 1.

    The coating process can be optimized for any material by formulation of the oligomer’s monomer composition.

    Intellectual Property

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

     

    The Opportunity

    The potential market for this coating technology is in any procedure that requires or could benefit from cell adhesion to clinically implanted devices. As examples of this we suggest coronary stents (to support endothelial cell growth when implanted in vivo)  and the coating of hip implants and orthopaedic implants and screws (to help in bone growth onto the implant as well as coating surgical repair materials and wound dressings.  We are currently seeking licensees to realise the commercial potential of this technology.

     

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

    27075nonconfidentialsummary.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. 

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    This software has now been exclusively licensed. 

  • 28061 Recombinant protein expression enhancer

    The University of Sheffield has identified that knocking down the level of expression of a specific endogenous protein, ubiquitous in mammalian cells, results in a significant increase in recombinant protein production. This observation provides a novel route to increase recombinant protein production by mammalian cells either in rapid, transient format or potentially for continuous production from stably engineered cells.

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    Significant challenges remain in the production of proteins from mammalian cell expression systems and the ability to increase levels of recombinant protein production by mammalian cells would be an important advance for the biotechnology industry. The University of Sheffield has identified that knocking down the level of expression of a specific endogenous protein, ubiquitous in mammalian cells, results in a significant increase in recombinant protein production. This observation provides a novel route to increase recombinant protein production by mammalian cells either in rapid, transient format or potentially for continuous production from stably engineered cells.

    Knock-down of this single host cell protein results in a 4-5 fold increase in recombinant protein production during transient transfection of mammalian cells and the increase in expresion is observed for both secreted and non-secreted proteins.  It has been shown that the effect is independent of transfection reagent and target protein.

     

    Further information is available by downloading the PDF link below.

    Outlicensingopportunity28061recombinantproteinexpressionenhancer.pdf

  • 28013 - Transfer of cells using smart polymers

    This technology allows the development of a trypsin-free passaging system that could allow passage of stem cells without inducing differentiation, produces passaged cells with less damage than those treated by the traditional method and is useful in tissue engineering and is useful in tissue engineering, as it facilitates removal of cells without destroying the structure of the extracellular matrix.

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    Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a hyperbranched thermoresponsive polymer which is soluble in aqueous media below a critical emperature, known as the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). When the temperature of the media is raised above the LCST, the polymer forms primary particles which aggregate and, unlike other thermoresponsive polymers which form a solid mass, our polymer forms a colloidal dispersion of sub-micron particles. This property means that the cells can be contacted with the polymer particles at temperatures above the LCST, causing cells to adhere to the polymer. In order to release cells from the polymer, the temperature of the solution is simply decreased below the LCST. 

    This technology is the subject a patent application that discloses this polymer and its uses in an array of possible applications.  For further information please download the summary document below: 

     

    Outlicensingopportunity28013Transferofcellsusingsmartpolymers.pdf

  • 27090 Low toxicity cellular stain

    A research group at the University of Sheffield has developed a series of novel chemical compounds suitable for live cellular staining applications with a unique combination of properties.

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    Researchers require a detailed understanding of the processes and control points involved in specific diseases from inherited disorders to cancer and infections. Although much work has been done using cell-free systems where individual enzymes are analysed in vitro, there are always caveats about the relevance of such data to whole cells or organisms.  Until recently cell biologists were restricted to studying static, fixed tissue sections, raising concerns around artefacts introduced by sample preparation.  New instruments allow cell biologists to study living cells and tissues, providing dynamic, real-time data.  This instrumentation requires new reagents, such as cell stains, matched to its capabilities.

    Currently available staining systems are far from ideal for the following reasons:

    • Most have low water solubilities.
    • Their cellular uptake can be low so that staining can only be accomplished in fixed cells.
    • Most stains tend to be toxic, thus stained cells are only viable for 30 - 60 minutes.
    • They often have poor signal/noise ratios.

     A research group at the University of Sheffield has developed a series of novel chemical compounds suitable for use as reagents for this new cell biology.  The compounds appear to be very suitable for live cellular staining applications and have a unique combination of properties, including:  

    • Very low toxicity, which allows for long-term culture studies on labelled cells
    • High solubility in water, avoiding the need for incompatible organic solvents that might affect cells
    • Unique optical properties that provide a high signal-to-noise ratio
    • Straight-forward to synthesise in a few chemical steps using readily-available precursors making them suitable for scale-up to commercial manufacture
    • Fluorescent light output is highly dependent on its environment - it produces different colours when bound to different structures within a cell.

     For further information please download the summary document below:  

    27090LowToxicityCellularstain.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.

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    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

  • 29006   Nanoscale Chemical Analysis Technique  

    A research group at the University of Sheffield has introduced a novel procedure for acquiring spectroscopic signals from nanomaterials and nanostructures which allows innovative three-dimensional chemical mapping. The method combines the previously separate technologies of x-ray spectroscopy in the electron microscope with computed tomography.

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    Particular features of the innovation include:

    • Novel data acquisition procedures
    • Novel data processing sequences
    • Novel sample and sample holder geometries for unobstructed signal detection at high tilt

    The preliminary technology has been demonstrated for several years and we are now looking for licensing and development collaborations with industrial partners for a 2nd generation approach. 

     

    The Opportunity

    Typical applications:

    • Spatial mapping of microstructures in nanocomposites
    • Analysis of biomedical materials
    • Analysis of high-strength structural materials
    • Examination of porous materials with more than one chemical phase
    • Inspection of semiconductor nanostructures, e.g. 3D integrated devices.
    • Catalysis

    For more information, download the summary below:

    29006Licensingwebsite1page.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.

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    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.

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    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

  • 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.

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    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

  • 29020 Teaching Management System  

    The teaching management system (TMS) provides a means to represent and manipulate the entire teaching commitment of a department.  It allows the central management of workload across staff and is tailored to the commitments of individual members of staff, while also permitting staff to check their individual teaching workloads.

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    Our web server TMS software has been supporting 200 users for the last 2 years and is estimated to have saved the administration department £20k per year in reduced back office staffing.

     

    Our software:

    • Captures the entire teaching workload of a department or school, including research student supervisionProvides a synoptic view of workload across the academic staff of the unit
    • Provides an accurate, rational, equitable and transparent mechanism to allocate teaching workload
    • Enables staff to quickly access their teaching commitments via the World-wide Web
    • Estimates the forward workload to meet future demands.

    The Opportunity

    We are seeking a software re-seller or systems integrator to incorporate this staff management software.


    For more information, download a PDF summary from the link below

    29020TeachingManagementSystem.pdf

  • 24049 Neuro Fuzzy Network Modeling  

    The University of Sheffield has developed an advanced software package for Neuro-Fuzzy Network Modelling. This technique has been proven in a number of engineering applications such as data mining, pattern recognition, and process control/simulation

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    The University of Sheffield has developed an advanced software package for Neuro-Fuzzy Network Modelling. This technique has been proven in a number of engineering applications such as data mining, pattern recognition, and process control/simulation

    The key features of interest in this proprietary software are:

    • Data mining and data visualisation in 2D and 3D
    • Input Selection for determining important input variables using statistical indices
    • Data Granulation for extracting knowledge out of a database
    • Model creation and optimisation for developing the modelling structure

    Intellectual Property

    Intellectual property in this software has been protected under the patent application WO 2006/103451

    The Opportunity

    The software has already been successfully utilised by companies with a need for a systematic method of generating neuro-fuzzy network models for non-linear high dimensional systems.  Applications have included :

    • The properties of heat treated steel based on the chemical composition
    • The outcome of heat treatment regimes on steels 
    • Patient ventilation performance in an Intensive Care Unit

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

    240491pagesummary.pdf

Focus on

27090 Non-toxic cellular stain

A research group at the University of Sheffield has developed a series of novel chemical compounds suitable for live cellular staining applications with a unique combination of properties.

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