A DEDICATED SME support programme managed by iiCON: infection innovation consortium, has successfully propelled some of Merseyside’s most innovative new life science businesses – stimulating R&D and economic growth in the region.
iiCON is designed to support the discovery, development, and deployment of new products and treatments for infectious diseases. Led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, its consortium partners are Unilever, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, University of Liverpool, Evotec, and Infex Therapeutics.
Since its launch two years ago, a key aspect of iiCON has been a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme, which has supported a host of Merseyside SMEs to accelerate the development and commercialisation of infectious disease products by providing access to state-of-the-art equipment and world-leading expertise.
iiCON now hopes to attract additional participants to follow in the footsteps of the businesses that have already benefitted from the initiative – helping to further establish the Liverpool City Region as a life science incubator and magnet for international investment.
To-date, the iiCON programme has seen 24 projects completed for regional companies, with another 28 underway. More than 50 companies have engaged with the programme, representing a range of sectors, including engineering, chemicals, diagnostics and manufacturing.
Approximately 50% of the companies engaging with the programme have introduced a new innovation as a result of the collaboration. The programme has also supported five newly established companies to evaluate their innovations. Facilities and expertise available via the iiCON programme include AMR testing platforms combined with a microbiology suite in the Materials Innovation Factory at the University of Liverpool; a surface chemistry suite at the Open Innovation Hub for Anti-Microbial Surfaces at the University of Liverpool; and a Diagnostics and Engineering suite to enable diagnostic development and evaluation– supported with expertise from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
Professor Janet Hemingway, Founding Director of iiCON, added: “The Liverpool City Region has a unique heritage as a world-leader in infection control, where innovative approaches to global health challenges have been pioneered for over 100 years.
“Through this ERDF funded platform we’re building on that legacy, facilitating a dynamic, collaborative interface between Merseyside innovators and academia. By supporting pioneering infection innovation from companies of all sizes, we aim to help save lives across the world.”
