Commercialisation news The latest commercialisation news from the University of Sheffield. Off Geoptic awarded prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation Geoptic has been awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category — considered the highest official honours for UK businesses. 7 May 2025 FDA approves trial to advance pioneering treatment for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) The US Food and Drug Administation (FDA) has approved BlackfinBio Limited’s Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy targeting Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) Type 47 (SPG47). 6 May 2025 Leading investors back Northern Gritstone with new £50 million fundraise Northern Gritstone has announced its latest fundraise of £50 million from leading institutional investors bringing its total permanent capital to £362 million. 7 May 2025 Sheffield spinout takes major step towards advancing pioneering treatments for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) BlackfinBio Limited is a spinout company from the University of Sheffield set to pioneer novel therapies for rare genetic neurological diseases. 18 March 2025 University of Sheffield spinout company receives £4 million investment to unleash full potential of robotics A University of Sheffield spinout company that is set to help developers overcome the cost and complexity of programming robots, has secured £4 million in funding. 28 January 2025 University of Sheffield spinout secures £4m in seed funding round - technology set to support health-related research A University of Sheffield spinout that has developed a single-molecule detection platform to support health research has raised £4m in funding. 27 November 2024 City centre labs to drive innovation and start-up success In a move set to propel innovation and growth of early-stage companies, Sheffield Technology Parks (STP) and University of Sheffield are teaming up to build new lab spaces in the city centre. 15 August 2024 New ‘Tasty Spoon’™ will enhance food flavours for people living with dementia A spoon, designed to enhance the flavour of food for dementia patients experiencing a loss of taste, could help combat high levels of malnutrition. 26 July 2024 Northern universities launch spinout mentor network to empower entrepreneurs The universities of Sheffield, Leeds, and Manchester are proud to announce the launch of the Northern Triangle Mentor Network, a dynamic initiative designed to propel commercialisation opportunities and empower early-stage spinouts. 25 June 2024 New company Midland Pharmaceuticals launched to develop therapeutics for stroke and spinal cord injury Researchers from the University of Sheffield and the University of Birmingham have joined forces with NLC Health Ventures to co-found a company developing new treatments for spinal cord injuries and stroke. 30 May 2024 Sheffield spinout company grows to lead on next generation biomedicines and bioprocesses SynGenSys, a fast-growing biotechnology company spun out of the University of Sheffield, has announced the appointment of Dr. Andy Racher as its Commercial Operations Director. 1 May 2024 World leading expert on bio-inspired AI to direct University of Sheffield’s Centre for Machine Intelligence One of the world’s leading innovators in bio-inspired AI has joined the University of Sheffield, as part of a new multi-million pound centre that is set to transform the institution’s research, innovation and teaching around artificial intelligence. 22 April 2024 Phlux technology clinches major export deal, revolutionising infrared sensing AI tech firm partners with AMRC Northern Triangle Talent Project secures £1.5m funding to strengthen regional commercialisation activity The Northern Triangle Talent Project has secured funding to strengthen the regional technology commercialisation ecosystem and attract top talent to the north of England. 19 March 2024 University of Sheffield spinout company to pioneer novel therapies for genetic neurological diseases BlackfinBio has raised £2.75 million seed investment to advance revolutionary treatments for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). 11 December 2023 The University of Sheffield's response to the independent review of university spin-out companies The University of Sheffield welcomes the announcement of £20m to help universities develop more spinout companies made in the autumn statement, as well as the independent review of spin-out companies. 22 November 2023 World’s first low-energy bioplastics developed with the University of Sheffield raises £2 million investment The world’s first low-energy, non-oil-based, high-performance bioplastic, developed by Floreon with the University of Sheffield, has secured £2 million financing from Northern Gritstone. 21 November 2023 University of Sheffield spinout company Crucible Therapeutics raises £5 million to advance pioneering treatments for neurological diseases University of Sheffield spinout company, Crucible Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing novel therapies to treat the most common genetic form of MND and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), has secured £5 million from Northern Gritstone. 25 September 2023 Investment zones are the key to taking our potential towards prosperity Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, discusses how the new South Yorkshire Investment Zone can turn Yorkshire's potential into prosperity. 24 July 2023 Saving lives globally through entrepreneurship: Kirsty Smitten is named as FSB Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 Unlocking the human inner ear for new therapies to improve hearing loss and deafness An international team of scientists and surgeon has discovered a secure clinical pathway to the inner ear, which will enable the application of a range of regenerative therapies to restore hearing. 8 November 2022 Northern Gritstone lands first deal with OpteranSpin-out company secures funding for device that ‘could revolutionise biology research’ Sheffield businesses first to receive millions from new Northern investment company Northern Gritstone, an investment company founded by the universities of Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester with initial support from Research England, has allocated its first two investments to Sheffield-based businesses. 29 July 2022 Northern Gritstone secures first close of £215 million ahead of making its first investments A new investment company founded by the universities of Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester to help boost the commercialisation of university spinouts and start-ups in the north of England has today (20 May 2022) announced a first close of £215 million. 20 May 2022 Rinri Therapeutics raises £10 million to advance stem cell therapy for hearing loss University of Sheffield spinout company, Rinri Therapeutics, has raised a total of £10 million from investors and the UK Future Fund to advance its novel stem cell therapy to restore hearing loss. 21 April 2021 Sheffield spin-out set up to facilitate life-science discoveries Understanding how molecules interact within the body is essential in supporting the development of treatments and therapies. Exciting Instruments, a University of Sheffield spin-out company, is breaking down barriers for researchers in this field. 4 November 2021 Northern Gritstone announces leadership team Northern Gritstone, a new investment company founded by the Universities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, has appointed Lord Jim O’Neill as Non-Executive Chairman and Duncan Johnson as CEO. 8 July 2021 Northern universities launch new investment company The universities of Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester are launching a new investment company to help boost the commercialisation of university spinouts and start-ups in the North of England. 25 April 2021
