Biotechnology

The Biotechnology team at Innovate UK Business Connect focuses on Industrial Biotechnology (IB), Engineering Biology (EB, commonly referred to as Synthetic Biology) and Microbiomes.

These technologies have the potential to carry out transformations which would not be feasible, technically or economically, using traditional chemistry. They hold the potential to make entirely new materials or to develop processes which run at low or ambient temperatures, thus reducing energy consumption. Consequently they can have a major impact in the UK’s move to Net Zero emissions.

The team works with all sectors that either use, or are interested in using, biotechnology in their business, in particular Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Home & Personal Care, AgroChemicals, Food and Drink – and many more.

Our experts use deep knowledge of the sector to help you and your business innovate through access to funding, expertise and building connections and collaborations. The team works closely with national bodies such as the Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum (IBLF) and the Engineering Biology Leadership Council (EBLC).

Follow us on Twitter: @KTN_Biotech

Our current focus in this area

Engineering Biology (EngBio) provides us with the opportunity to step away from traditional methods and provide innovative solutions for challenges brought by climate change and the associated impact areas, like food availability and the need for sustainable feedstocks.

Similar to Engineering Biology, Industrial Biotech impacts numerous sectors including Chemistry, Materials, Healthcare and AgriFood. It also has a significant role in the development of a Circular Economy by using waste as a feedstock for biobased products.

Microbiome science and innovation play a vital role to various sectors of the UK economy, including human health, wellbeing and agri-food. From personalised gut health solutions to nutrition, from animal health to food security and biodiversity.

Related Opportunities

CRACK IT 2024 Challenge 48: Wings of Change

Opens: 23/08/2024   Closes: 04/11/2024

The aim of this Challenge is to develop new approaches to assess avian toxicity for chemical screening and environmental risk assessment.

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CRACK IT 2024 Challenge 49: Rodent Shelter

Opens: 23/09/2024   Closes: 04/11/2024

The aim of this Challenge is to develop a shelter for rodents to provide warmth and a means to monitor the animals to improve post-operative care.

More Information

PACE: 2024 Diagnostic Innovations

Opens: 26/09/2024   Closes: 30/10/2024

PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy) aims to accelerate early-stage translational innovation to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

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BBSRC ICURe engage November 2024: London & S/SE England

Opens: 23/09/2024   Closes: 21/10/2024

ICURe engage is a 4-week, part-time entrepreneurship programme tailored for bioscience research students and technicians.

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BBSRC ICURe Explore January 2025 – in partnership with NC3Rs

Opens: 20/09/2024   Closes: 20/11/2024

12 weeks full-time programme with up to £35k to help bioscience research teams get out of the lab and explore the commercial potential of their research/technology.

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ARIA: Synthetic Plants - full proposals

Opens: 16/10/2024   Closes: 12/11/2024

Backed by £62.4m, this programme will aim to catalyse a new generation of major crops that are more productive, resilient, and sustainable.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Mon
22
Jan
2024

Mission Innovation: Integrated Biorefineries programme

12.00 - 14.00 GMT | Online

Watch now
Thu
29
Feb
2024

Horizon Europe Event: The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking

10.00 - 12.00 GMT | Online

Watch now
Thu
11
Apr
2024

Plant Microbiome webinar

09.30 - 11.15 GMT+1 | Online

Watch now
See all events

Our Experts

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Materials Research Exchange 2024: event highlights

Highlights from the Reimagining Materials and Manufacturing Together team, who attended this year’s Materials Research Exchange.

 

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Pilot accelerators launched to support the development of early-stage health and life science innovation in the UK

02/05/2023

Pilot accelerators launched to support the development of early-stage health and life science innovation in the UK

We are pleased to announce our pilot accelerators, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC), which will allow spinouts, start-ups, and entrepreneurial minded academics to test their ideas and develop concepts with support from key stakeholders from the innovation ecosystem.

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For general enquiries regarding our Biotechnology sector contact us now

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