UK companies benefit from world leading facilities

Small and start up high tech companies can now access affordable, state of the art facilities for research and development backed up by world leading scientific expertise and business support. The Innovations Technology Access Centre (link opens in a new window) (I-TAC) at the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) celebrated its official launch on Thursday 4 February 2010, and is the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) latest addition to the Daresbury Laboratory site.

Managed by STFC, one of the world’s largest multi disciplinary scientific organisations, I-TAC provides businesses and researchers with affordable and flexible access to cutting edge scientific equipment that, until now, has only been readily available to academic researchers and large budget companies . Backed up with specialist support from STFC’s own world leading scientists, participating companies will also benefit from the wider business support services and collaborative R&D, networking and innovation opportunities offered at the Daresbury SIC.

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I-TAC video on STFC's YouTube channel, entitled "I-TAC Byotrol case study"

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STFC has re-used, recycled and refurbished existing laboratories to create this range of fully equipped biological, imaging, materials and physical science laboratories. The flexibility of the facilities available means that, businesses only need to commit to paying for the exact facilities that they require. Access is tailored to their specific needs, which can include their own exclusive ‘lock and leave’ laboratories, or for those not locating to the centre, there is the option to have daily access fees or pay hourly for the larger analytical equipments.

Paul Vernon, Head of New Business at STFC and founder of I-TAC said: “I-TAC provides the ideal environment to carry out high tech and development work. Carrying out R&D can be costly, especially for new and growing businesses. Now, not only can they gain access to high end scientific equipment that is not normally available to non-academic units, but they can also tap into STFC’s scientific expertise teamed with the knowledge base of North West academic institutions. The combination of services and facilities provided by I-TAC, Daresbury Laboratory and by the campus in general will enable businesses to make discoveries, prove their own technology and achieve that competitive edge necessary to succeed in tomorrow’s global economy.”

Manchester-based firm Byotrol is I-TAC’s first long-term tenant following the recent relocation of their principle microbiology R&D operations from Germany to the North West. Byotrol has developed a patented, next generation hygiene technology which is described as the ideal biocide for use in sprays, mousses and wipes to combat bugs and viruses. Trials have shown that it is effective in a much safer way than traditional bleaches, disinfectants and biocides which can be toxic to people and animals. Byotrol are using I-TAC’s laboratories and high-tech equipment to develop specific versions of the technology for the healthcare, food production, animal welfare and consumer markets.

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I-TAC video on STFC's YouTube channel, entitled "I-TAC Heritage Science Services case study"

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Stephen Falder, Byotrol's founder and Deputy Chairman commented: “Moving to the laboratory at Daresbury has given access to a wide range of equipment and specialists as well as putting us into a number of innovation networks and fostering the working in partnership with experts at STFC.”

Professor Keith Mason, Chief Executive of STFC, who officially opened the centre, said: “A presence at the centre puts companies at the heart of this rapidly growing Science and Innovation Campus at Daresbury, a truly rich environment for success. With low cost, low commitment state-of-the-art equipment and laboratory space being difficult to obtain at the proof of concept stage, these facilities provide the ideal environment for both start ups and the R&D teams of established companies to flourish and achieve the impact they are looking for. It is this type of strategic investment that will enable businesses, and therefore this country, to shape the technological advances of tomorrow.”

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Notes for editors

Images available

• Image 1: STFC Daresbury Laboratory’s Innovation Technology Access Centre. From left to right: Paul Vernon (I-TAC founder and Head of New Business Opportunities at STFC), Professor Keith Mason (Chief Executive STFC) and Martin Morlidge (Manager of I-TAC).
  
  
• Image 2: STFC Daresbury Laboratory’s Innovation Technology Access Centre. From left to right: Martin Morlidge (Manager of I-TAC), Professor Keith Mason (Chief Executive STFC) and Paul Vernon (I-TAC founder and Head of New Business Opportunities at STFC).
  
  

Contacts

• Wendy Taylor
  Press Officer
  STFC Daresbury
  Tel: +44 (0)1925 603232

About the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus

Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) is an internationally recognised location for high-tech businesses and leading-edge science and is now home to 90 high-tech businesses. It represents a fundamentally new approach to driving UK competitiveness in global science and innovation. Daresbury SIC was formed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Science & Technology Facilities Council, Lancaster University, the University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester and Halton Borough Council.

The Campus is now moving into its next exciting phase of delivering world class science and high-tech businesses. It is in the process of identifying a private sector partner to develop up to 1 million square feet of space for business, research and innovation, providing facilities management and other services to the Campus and realising commercial services and investment opportunities with the Campus companies. This will continue to bring together businesses, universities, research organisations and industrial partners with the business support and investor community, to create over 6,000 jobs.

Daresbury SIC was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Most Outstanding Science Park’ award by the UK Science Parks Association.

About STFC