Ian Pearson - Launch of the Public Sector Research Exploitation fund 2008
Natural History Museum, London - 23 June 2008
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It is with great pleasure that I am here to congratulate the winners of the Public Sector Research Establishment Fund.
I am delighted to visit the Museum so soon after last week's arrival of the meteorite Ivuna.
This rare object - the size of a Satsuma - could reveal the secrets of the birth of the solar system. It is a testament to the Museum's scientific capability that you have been entrusted with it for research.
My thanks goes to the Natural History Museum for hosting this event and providing such a welcome for our meeting this afternoon.
1. Excellent Research
Public Sector Research Establishments are a vital element of the UK Research base. They range from Government laboratories and Research Council Institutes through to major Museums and Galleries. They provide advice, evidence and services to Government on policy issues and public services in areas such as health, defence, environment, agriculture and food.
For example the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh was home to the first successfully cloned mammal - Dolly the sheep. Data provided by NERC researchers informs the decisions whether to close the Thames Barrier and save London from catastrophic floods. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew established the Millennium Seed Bank which aims, by 2010, to have collected seed from 10% of the world's wild plant species. The Seed Bank concentrates on plants that support the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities.
Public Sector Laboratories invest heavily in their research base. That investment has enabled them to build up high levels of excellence over many years. For example, the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington is a source of expertise in measurement science, meeting the needs of Government and commercial markets in fields such as security, pharmaceuticals, landfill and manufacturing.
2. Economic Impact
Having created such a large and important capability within these labs, we must maximise the economic impact of Government-funded research. We must encourage researchers and businesses to work together. We want them to take great research and convert it into great business ideas. Universities are making excellent progress on this front, but they are not alone.
With a little extra support we can unlock the potential of this knowledge base. The PSRE Fund was established in 1999 to encourage the commercialisation of research from public sector laboratories. It underpins the Government's determination to nurture the exploitation of results across the research base. It demonstrates our absolute commitment to this Country's knowledge based economy.
The Fund supports the exploitation of research from every corner of the public sector. It allows laboratories to develop professional expertise in everything from managing Intellectual Property to setting up new businesses. The Fund also provides the early financial support required to grow businesses to the stage when they can attract venture capital investment from the private sector.
3. Expertise
As a result there is now considerable expertise throughout the UK in the commercialisation of research from public laboratories.
For instance, the commercialisation of research ideas by the NHS London Innovation Hub produced advice packs for patients to manage diabetes. And the Forensic Science Service developed a commercial DNA database so police and governments can store, search and match forensic DNA profiles.
This makes a direct contribution to the DIUS Innovation agenda that I set out in the 'Innovation Nation' White Paper. It enhances public services through creativity and knowledge.
