Yorkshire Forward
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For They Are Jolly Good Fellows- More Regional Ideas Receive Support

From new cancer treatments to wheelchairs that can drive themselves, 26 of Yorkshire and Humber’s most innovative ideas are being given financial support to help take them out of the university laboratory and into the marketplace thanks to the latest round of Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowships.

The Yorkshire Forward funded Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship scheme is a region wide programme aimed at helping academic researchers take their idea to commercialisation.

The scheme provides £10,000 financial support to fellows as well as specialist mentoring and business development advice that helps them to develop their ideas into sound commercial concepts. It is delivered by YKTO Consulting Ltd in the region and forms part of Yorkshire Forward’s commitment to encourage more businesses to start up in the region, as well as drawing out its academic expertise.

The first half of this latest cohort of fellows began the programme in April this year, whilst the second half will take up their support in June.

Researchers from universities across Yorkshire and Humber are receiving support through the scheme. Academics working in areas such as chemicals, biotechnology and healthcare technologies are all eligible to apply to the scheme.

In the field of cancer treatment, Dr Victoria Vinader from the University of Bradford is using her fellowship support to develop a new drug that will tackle one of the biggest obstacles in the treatment of breast cancer. Currently cancerous cells can spread from breast tumours into the lymph nodes, creating secondary cancers. By developing a drug that inhibits the proteins which allow this spread, patient recovery rates could be vastly improved.

At Leeds Metropolitan University, Dr David Punt is using the fellowship to further his research into the development of a ‘smart’ wheelchair that can avoid hazards – allowing people with severe disabilities, and who cannot control a wheelchair themselves, to become mobile.

Jim Farmery, head of innovation at Yorkshire Forward explains; “These fellowships aren’t just about providing grants, they are about giving the fellows the support to develop their research and their business acumen – which are both vital in taking a product to market.

“Yorkshire Forward is investing £2.1 million in the fellowship scheme until 2010 which will support up to 60 fellows. The previous pilot programme has already delivered some fantastic results, including nine new spin out companies and £4 million additional research funding.”

Notes to editors:

Yorkshire Forward
  • Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.
  • Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created and safeguarded more than 27,000 new jobs; helped create and attract more than 1,100 new businesses, provided nearly 66,000 learning opportunities and attracted more than £333 million private sector finance - achieving or exceeding all of the targets it was set.
  • Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objective One and Two programmes.
  • For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact Tori Wilkinson, Senior Press Officer on 0113 3949904 or on 07736181063 or email victoria.wilkinson@yorkshire-forward.com

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