UoN hosts the launch of programme to help East Midlands researchers commercialise life-changing treatments

Many of these researchers will go on to create the future spinout companies that fuel the UK’s innovation economy.

The expansion – funded through Forging Ahead – was announced at a launch event at the University of Nottingham Innovation Park on Wednesday 4th March.

The event brought together academia, industry, investors and key ecosystem actors who all aim to drive forward novel medical innovations into real world clinical use.

The flagship East Midlands cohort features nine projects, including a De Montfort University technology aimed at treating battlefield wounds; a collaboration between Nottingham Trent University and Cranfield University exploring how X-rays could reduce the need for biopsies in diagnosing breast cancer; and a novel therapy for patients at risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) being developed at the University of Nottingham.

CDI is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and colitis worldwide. Existing treatments can disrupt healthy gut bacteria, leading to high recurrence rates and increased healthcare costs. Researchers at the University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy have developed a highly selective cyclic peptide antibiotic designed to target CDI while minimising damage to the gut microbiome. With support from the SPARK Midlands programme, the team is now progressing toward a full preclinical development package to enable early-stage clinical evaluation.

We’re fortunate to be part of the SPARK programme and to represent the strength of clinical innovation here in the East Midlands. It will enable us to work closely with regulatory experts to refine our development strategy and connect with potential collaborators and investors, accelerating our progress from research towards real-world patient benefit.