University of Nottingham

Promethean Particles Ltd. specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing inorganic nanoparticle dispersions tailored to customer specifications. Established in 2007 and based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, the company employs continuous hydrothermal synthesis to produce high-quality nanoparticles for various industrial applications. Promethean serves multiple sectors, including electronics, healthcare, green energy, and nanocomposites, providing solutions such as printed electronics, catalysts, and metal organic frameworks. Additionally, the company offers feasibility studies to create customized solutions that meet specific client needs. Promethean's advanced multi-ton scale manufacturing plant allows for the production of over 1,000 tons of nanoparticles annually, underscoring its capability to deliver flexible and innovative nanotechnology solutions.

We are a team of matrix biologists, cancer scientists, toxicologists, and biomaterial engineers who have worked together to develop an innovative, animal-free solution for 3D cell culture. We have done this with the support of the NC3Rs, BBSRC, and EPSRC. By combining the skills and expertise of individuals across a broad range of scientific backgrounds we are able to develop technologies that address a variety of unmet challenges in 3D in vitro modelling. Our mission is to provide researchers a better way to model development and disease that is more reproducible, reliable, and ethical. To learn more, visit www.peptimatrix.com

PBD Biotech Ltd specializes in innovative phage-based diagnostic technology focused on veterinary diagnostics. Established in 2014 and based in Thurston, United Kingdom, the company has developed Actiphage, a diagnostic tool that detects mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium bovis, which is responsible for bovine tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, linked to significant agricultural losses. This technology allows for the detection of mycobacteria in milk and blood samples, distinguishing between viable and non-viable bacteria with high sensitivity and specificity. PBD Biotech's advancements enable clinicians to accurately identify low levels of mycobacteria in various animal tissues and food products, enhancing the management of tuberculosis in both livestock and human health contexts.

Operator of a biotechnology company intended to develop safe and effective medicines for patients with life-threatening diseases through targeted integrin therapies. The company aims for therapeutic applications in diseases with high unmet clinical needs such as fibrosis, in particular, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), liver and kidney disease and cancer, enabling patients affected by life-limiting conditions to access effective treatments and relief.

Cheesecake Energy specializes in the development of advanced thermal and compressed air energy systems that facilitate the storage of energy from intermittent renewable sources. By converting this stored energy into reliable power on demand, the company addresses the challenges associated with renewable energy variability. Cheesecake Energy's technology employs a combination of compressed air and thermal energy storage, utilizing industrial components that are readily available in the market. This approach not only enhances the durability of the storage systems but also allows clients to acquire these devices at a competitive price, making renewable energy more accessible and dependable.

NuVision™ is a spin-out company from the University of Nottingham, incorporated July 2014. The company was established to commercialise high quality and affordable biotherapies for treating ‘front of the eye’ disease and trauma. Dr Andrew Hopkinson, the Principal Research Fellow in Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham, founded NuVision™. The business is co-owned by the founders, Dr Andrew Hopkinson (Chief Scientific Officer), Professor Harminder Dua (co-founder), the directors Mr Byran Lister (CEO) and Dr Helen Shaw (Chairman), and the University of Nottingham.

One Third Stories is a business focused on language learning for children, utilizing an innovative approach known as the Clockwork Methodology®. The company offers a monthly subscription box that includes engaging stories designed to start in English and conclude in a different language. This unique format aims to make language acquisition enjoyable and accessible for young learners, providing parents with a resource to support their children's education. By transforming the process of learning into a storytelling adventure, One Third Stories seeks to foster a love for languages in children through simple and interactive narratives.

NuVision™ is a spin-out company from the University of Nottingham, incorporated July 2014. The company was established to commercialise high quality and affordable biotherapies for treating ‘front of the eye’ disease and trauma. Dr Andrew Hopkinson, the Principal Research Fellow in Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham, founded NuVision™. The business is co-owned by the founders, Dr Andrew Hopkinson (Chief Scientific Officer), Professor Harminder Dua (co-founder), the directors Mr Byran Lister (CEO) and Dr Helen Shaw (Chairman), and the University of Nottingham.

One Third Stories is a business focused on language learning for children, utilizing an innovative approach known as the Clockwork Methodology®. The company offers a monthly subscription box that includes engaging stories designed to start in English and conclude in a different language. This unique format aims to make language acquisition enjoyable and accessible for young learners, providing parents with a resource to support their children's education. By transforming the process of learning into a storytelling adventure, One Third Stories seeks to foster a love for languages in children through simple and interactive narratives.

Monica Healthcare specializes in the manufacturing and supply of advanced fetal monitoring devices aimed at improving obstetric care for midwives, labor and delivery nurses, and expectant mothers. The company’s flagship product, The Novii, is a single-use wireless patch system that monitors maternal heart rate, fetal heart rate, and uterine activity, enhancing the birthing experience. Additionally, Monica Healthcare develops a range of wearable devices that utilize innovative wireless technologies to provide accessible obstetric services both in hospitals and at home. The company also offers training, repairs, and support services for its products. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with a location in Kennesaw, Georgia, Monica Healthcare operates as a subsidiary of GE Healthcare.

Exonate is a privately held, early stage, biotech company spun out of the University of Nottingham that is focused on alternative splicing of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in ophthalmology. Exonate’s lead programme is focused on Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO). A consequence of diabetic retinopathy, DMO, is swelling in an area of the retina called the macula and wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss in people aged 60 and older. The Company is founded on scientific excellence with strong links to Professor David Bates and his lab at Nottingham University specializing in the biology and biochemical pathways of VEGF splice variants. Exonate have developed small molecules that inhibit production of pro-angiogenic VEGF through selective inhibition of serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (SRPK1)-mediated VEGF splicing. These inhibitors have already demonstrated superior efficacy as topical agents in preclinical models of wet AMD. Through a Wellcome Trust funded project, Exonate has completed an optimization programme and has nominated a pre-clinical candidate drug with optimal characteristics. During the second quarter of 2020 regulatory toxicology and safety pharmacology studies have taken place. This is to support the successful application to the regulatory authorities for clinical evaluation. Exonate is led by an experienced, international management team that has previously worked together with cross-disciplinary experience in medicine and drug development, as well as successful fundraising for early stage companies. About Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO)*: DMO is the build-up of fluid (Oedema) in a region of the retina called the macula. The macula is important for the sharp, straight-ahead vision that is used for reading, recognizing faces, and driving. DMO is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetic retinopathy. About half of all people with diabetic retinopathy will develop DMO and although it is more likely to occur as diabetic retinopathy worsens, DMO can happen at any stage of the disease. About wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD): Today, wet AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in people aged 60 years or older and affects more than 30 million patients worldwide, over 200,000 of those in the UK alone. If untreated patients are likely to lose sight in the affected eye within 24 months of disease onset. The main currently available treatment options for DMO and wet AMD are: • anti-VEGF antibody drugs – to prevent the growth of new blood vessels in the eye. Unlike small molecule drugs or eye drops these treatments must be injected into the eye once every 1 or 2 months. Resistance can develop to these drugs causing the disease to progress anew. • Laser surgery – to destroy abnormal blood vessels in the eye. This type of surgery is only suitable if blood vessel damage is not too extensive and if the abnormal blood vessels aren't close to the fovea, as performing surgery close to this part of the eye can cause permanent vision loss. • With DMO, Corticosteroids either injected or implanted into the eye, may be used alone or in combination with other drugs or laser surgery to treat DMO. *source: https://nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy

Monica Healthcare specializes in the manufacturing and supply of advanced fetal monitoring devices aimed at improving obstetric care for midwives, labor and delivery nurses, and expectant mothers. The company’s flagship product, The Novii, is a single-use wireless patch system that monitors maternal heart rate, fetal heart rate, and uterine activity, enhancing the birthing experience. Additionally, Monica Healthcare develops a range of wearable devices that utilize innovative wireless technologies to provide accessible obstetric services both in hospitals and at home. The company also offers training, repairs, and support services for its products. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with a location in Kennesaw, Georgia, Monica Healthcare operates as a subsidiary of GE Healthcare.

Critical Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company with proprietary drug delivery technologies for the sustained release and nasal delivery of proteins and peptides and labile or insoluble small molecules. Critical Pharmaceuticals was founded by Professor Steve Howdle in 2002 based on his research into supercritical fluids. When gases reach a certain temperature and pressure (the critical point) they become "supercritical" and take on both gas and liquid like properties. He noticed that supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) was able to penetrate certain polymers, and in a moment of inspiration realised that this could be used to mix thermally labile or solvent sensitive substances into the polymers.