The deal will bring to market new veterinary vaccines and tools for diagnosing diseases that affect farmed animals.

Deal will bring new veterinary vaccines to market

The University of Edinburgh has secured an investment of £10 million to bring animal science innovations to market.

The investment in a new company, Roslin Technologies, will develop business opportunities arising from research from the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

The deal will enable researchers to explore the commercial potential of technologies that enable low-cost manufacturing of new medicines using chicken eggs.

It will also bring to market new veterinary vaccines and tools for diagnosing diseases that affect farmed animals.

“This investment recognises the strength of the University’s innovation capacity and cements our position as one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities,” said Sir Timothy O’Shea, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.

Professor Bruce Whitelaw, interim director of The Roslin Institute, added: “The Roslin Institute is internationally recognised for providing a strategic research base for large animal genetics and health science within the UK.

“Having pioneered the commercialisation of animal biotechnology for three decades, the establishment of Roslin Technologies now provides an exciting platform to accelerate the translation of Roslin’s data-driven innovations into the commercial sector.”

Roslin Technologies Ltd is thought to be the largest agriculture biotechnology start-up in UK history to focus on research projects aimed at improving animal health and raising agricultural productivity.

The company is a collaboration between the University, private equity advisors JB Equity and the British Innovation Fund, a newly-formed fund that invests in leading innovation venture funds and companies from British universities.

Image (C) University of Edinburgh