University of York and Smith & Nephew unveil new collaboration
Posted on 9 January 2007
Through the partnership, companies ranging from large multi-nationals to small start-ups will benefit from managed access to an unrivalled spectrum of equipment and expertise from the Smith & Nephew Technical Services Group and the Technology Facility in the Department of Biology at the University of York.
Smith & Nephew, one of the world's leading companies in medical technology, will undertake the overall management of projects and provide technical consultancy and quality assurance.
This is truly a world class partnership, which will offer an unrivalled service for problem solving, analytical method development and business support for the medical industry
Dr Joe Ross
Andrew Jackson, Head of Technical Services at the Smith & Nephew Research Centre, said: "We are delighted to be part of this exciting new project. The expertise and technology platforms in the Technical Services Group at Smith & Nephew and the Technology Facility are highly complementary and together can provide a 'one-stop shop' for the many analytical problems faced by industry."
The partnership will enable two-way access to the latest laboratory equipment and seamless service from the world-class scientific expertise of the University of York and the commercially driven technical services in Smith & Nephew.
The Enterprise and Innovation Office at the University of York has negotiated the link-up. Dr Joe Ross, Business Development Manager there, said: "This is truly a world class partnership, which will offer an unrivalled service for problem solving, analytical method development and business support for the medical industry. In practical terms this means that start-ups and leading companies in medical science will have access to these problem-solving and support services. Consequently, products will be discovered and developed more quickly, cheaply and reliably than before."
Mark Wickham, Operations Director of the Smith & Nephew Research Centre said: "The Research Centre is looking forward to working closely with the University of York and extending our services to external customers. The partnership also provides us with an opportunity to develop relationships with other companies in the medical science field and to identify any collaborative opportunities for early stage technologies that are applicable to all areas of our business."
The Technology Facility's Director Dr John Pillmoor added: "This new collaboration will enable us to provide our services to customers requiring industry level accreditation, opening a new opportunity for us to broaden our external interactions."
Notes to editors:
- The Enterprise and Innovation Office at the University of York offers access to its world-class research, developing strategic collaborations and promoting opportunities to create commercial benefit. The Enterprise and Innovation Office establishes collaborations between the University and external partners, such as business and industry, as well as the government and non-governmental organisations, opening new markets and creating commercial opportunities.
- The University of York's external partners currently number more than 40 companies including Microsoft, Pfizer, Shell, Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM and Rolls Royce, nine UK Government Departments and the NHS, and 15 leading charities as well as international organisations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
- The University of York Technology Facility is a premier research support and technology training unit in the Department of Biology. With 19 expert staff and more than £6.5 million of advanced equipment in 2,000 square metres of laboratory space, it provides access to important bioscience technology platforms for University and external researchers.
- Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.
- Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has more than 8,500 employees and operates in 33 countries around the world and generates sales in excess of $2.6 billion.