Lord Mandelson meets Isis spin-outs in Oxford

16 October 2009

Lord Mandelson, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, visited Oxford on October 16^th, meeting Isis staff and representatives of Isis spin-outs.

Lord Mandelson talked about “Enterprise Led Recovery” and noted the increase in university spin-outs over the last decade; “many, I am pleased to say, from here in Oxford,” he said. He emphasised the importance of early stage finance in the commercialisation process, so that: “viable technologies get a shot where they otherwise stay on the drawing board.”

Isis Innovation managing director Tom Hockaday introduced Lord Mandelson to a number of Oxford spin-outs.

The spin-outs included Oxford Catalysts, and Oxford Advanced Surfaces, which are both now AIM-listed companies. Oxford Gene Technology, Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Oxonica were also represented. The newest spinout present was Intelligent Sustainable Energy, which incorporated in 2008 to develop a smart metering device for household energy monitoring.

Sir Martin Wood and Lady Audrey Wood, who founded Oxford’s first spin-out company Oxford Instruments in 1959, were also present.

Isis Innovation works with inventors from Oxford to assist them in commercialising technology, including setting up new spinout companies.

The visit was arranged by the Oxford Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Said Business School.

About Isis Innovation

Isis Innovation is the University of Oxford's technology transfer company and manages the University's intellectual property portfolio, working with University researchers on identifying, protecting and marketing technologies through licensing, spin-out company formation and material sales. Isis files on average one new patent application each week, has concluded over 400 technology licensing agreements, and established 64 new spin-out companies from Oxford. Isis also manages Oxford University Consulting, which arranges consulting services providing clients access to the world-class expertise of the University's academics to enhance innovative capability. Last year OUC arranged over 150 consulting deals. Isis has established a separate business division, Isis Enterprise, offering consulting expertise and advice in technology transfer and open innovation to university, government and industrial clients around the world. Isis was founded in 1987 and is today one of the world's leading technology transfer and innovation management companies.
www.isis-innovation.com