Boots Centre for Innovation is turning to some of the UK’s leading universities to seek out new technology that can be applied to the health and beauty sector.
The Centre is beginning a series of university roadshows with a seminar at the Said Business School in Oxford later this month in partnership with Isis Innovation, the technology transfer company of the University of Oxford. Further events are planned for the autumn and winter at universities across the UK.
At the free event, the university’s scientists and entrepreneurs will learn about the range of sources of funding for spin-out companies and find out about global trends in healthcare, emerging technologies and lifestyle choices.
The seminar will also explain the Boots Open Innovation model and the key areas of consumer need the company has identified. These include finding improved ways to diagnose, treat and monitor key aspects of health, beauty and well-being; supporting positive ageing through products and devices for mind and body; and minimising the complications of living with chronic conditions.
Managing director of Boots Centre for Innovation Dr Ged O’Shea hopes that the roadshows will encourage university researchers to think laterally and identify new commercial applications for their work.
“There are some amazing technologies out there, and our aim is stimulate the development of new applications that can benefit the general public – as well as providing business opportunities for their inventors,” he explains.
“We believe there are market opportunities for new solutions across the healthcare spectrum, from diagnostic devices to pain relief. We offer universities a unique combination of advice, funding and a route to market for their inventions, so if their researchers have innovative ideas, we’d like to work with them to develop the next generation of health and beauty products.”
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