SET for Success

Dr Sue Cobb (pictured right with Peter Barham of HSBC London) of the University of Nottingham School of Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing Engineering and Management and Medici Fellow 2002/2003 was recently awarded the prize for Best Example of Commercialisation in the 2003 Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) for Britain awards. Her work on the assessment and treatment of amblyopia (otherwise known as “lazy eye”) in children brought together a team of ophthalmology consultants, Virtual Reality (VR) research scientists and orthoptists, who in conjunction with University and NHS technology transfer offices created a system which early clinical trials have shown can treat amblyopia using interactive graphics instead of the more traditional eye-patching, which proves unpopular with most young patients.

The SET Awards are given following presentations by Younger Scientists, Engineers and Technologists to MPs and associated dignitaries at the House of Commons. As such they provide a prestigious backdrop at which to showcase the best young talent in Britain. As well as providing recognition of the excellent work undertaken by Dr Cobb and her team the award underlines the primary ethos of the Midlands Medici Consortium, to embed a culture of entrepreneurship and commercial awareness amongst the academic community.Dr Cobb said: "The product is the outcome of collaborations between ophthalmology consultants, VR research scientists, orthoptists and the University and NHS technology transfer offices, working together to ensure that a promising research innovation finds its way into clinical use."The Medici fellowship provided me with an understanding of the commercialisation process and facilitated my involvement in transferring this technology. We are currently conducting clinical validation trials and have found an industrial partner to work with us to manufacture and market the product."Dr Julie Holland, managing director of the East Midlands NHS Intellectual Property Hub added: "This project is an excellent example of where research and clinical practice come together to create a product with outstanding potential. The project also demonstrates the close working relationship between the NHS Trust and a university and the knowledge transfer process together."

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Professor Philip Graham, executive director of AURIL (Association for University Research and Industry Links), of the panel of judges for the award, said: "The development and the commercialisation of this product shows how top quality research can be used to bring benefit to the wider community, and to add to both regional and national economic development."This shows how research and outreach activity can successfully go hand in hand. This product is not just standard technology transfer, it is more than that - it is a prime example of knowledge transfer at its best."

More information concerning the technology and the steps taken during it's commercialisation can found on the poster presentation (view PDF document - 119k) given by Dr Cobb at the Medici 2003 Completion event, marking the end of the first year of Medici Fellowships.

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