A growing entrepreneurial culture among medical innovators at the University was praised by senior industry leaders at the official launch of the Future Worlds Medicine initiative in London.
Five medical entrepreneurs pitched Southampton research and technologies to a packed audience of industry experts, entrepreneurs and investors at The Future Cities Catapult’s Urban Innovation Centre on Tuesday 10 October. Speaking at the event, Lars Erwig, a Senior Director at GSK, commended the “sense of energy, innovation and drive,” commenting that “it feels more like Boston”.
Future Worlds Medicine is part of the Future Worlds initiative, which supports aspiring entrepreneurs at the University of Southampton to launch startups and spinouts that change the world with their ideas. Future Worlds Medicine helps the progression of translational medical research and entrepreneurial talent at the University into healthcare and pharmaceutical markets.
Elaine Evans, Senior Innovation lead at Innovate UK, highlighted the value of startups receiving mentor support in her keynote address. She explained:
“Having a mentor makes a substantial difference to the outcome of a project.”
Louise Jones, Head of Translational research at the MRC echoed her support for the venture. “It is really great to see this initiative come to fruition,” she said in her keynote address.
Future Worlds mentor and life sciences expert Simon Kerry spoke at the event about his enthusiasm for supporting University innovators. He said,
“Future Worlds Medicine gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to work with people who have direct experience of building companies in this sector, giving help and support that would otherwise be difficult and expensive to obtain and I look forward to being part of its success.”
To engage with Future Worlds Medicine and help aspiring entrepreneurs change the world with their ideas email ‘Count me in’ to [email protected] and explore the Future Worlds eco-system by visiting www.futureworlds.com
