Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) has been announced as the newest Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Knowledge Base, helping UK life science businesses innovate and grow through strategic partnership.  

MDC is uniquely placed as a Knowledge Base to provide collaborative partnerships in translational drug discovery and commercialisation. Through the programme, MDC will help life sciences businesses turn their ideas into impact, equipping them with the knowledge and capabilities needed to validate their innovations and bring game-changing solutions to patients faster. 

Now in the programme’s 50th year, KTPs are unique collaborative partnerships between businesses and Knowledge Bases, which are organisations like universities, colleges, research organisations and Catapults, with access to specialist knowledge and resources.  

Between 2010-2020, KTP projects generated over £2 billion for the UK economy. Around 800 businesses, 100 knowledge bases and over 850 graduates are currently involved in KTPs. 

Each KTP project, part funded by Innovate UK with a matched contribution from the business partner, works towards implementing innovative solutions that enable businesses to progress their products or technologies to market and generate investment or income for growth. 

To deliver this support, highly qualified graduates, known as KTP Associates, are employed by the Knowledge Base and placed within the business for projects ranging from 12 to 36 months. 

The KTP Associate will have access to MDC’s expertise, cutting-edge technology and laboratory facilities, enabling them to upskill teams and embed new knowledge in drug discovery and commercialisation. 

MDC will also provide invaluable experience to the KTP Associate through the programme, helping them transition from academia to industry, and supporting the next generation of drug discovery scientists. 

Professor Chris Molloy, Chief Executive Officer of Medicines Discovery Catapult, said:  

“All young UK biotechs whose science meets a market need should have ready access to the commercial expertise and industrial resources necessary to make them Fit To Fund and Grow. As a national Life Science service, MDC is committed to supporting these emerging innovators. It is a privilege to work in partnership with our nation’s most entrepreneurial scientists, to help them develop industrial skills, nurture growth, and set them up for long-term success.” 

Richard Lamb, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Programme Manager at Innovate UK, said:  

“Medicines Discovery Catapult joining the Innovate UK KTP programme marks an exciting step forward for innovation in the UK’s life science sector. Their unique expertise and state-of-the-art capabilities will provide businesses with invaluable support to accelerate drug discovery and commercialisation. Through this partnership, we look forward to empowering more companies to bring transformative treatments to patients faster, while creating growth and opportunities across the UK economy.” 

Companies can apply for a KTP project by partnering with a Knowledge Base, and projects are awarded through competitive calls. Check here for the current list of opening and closing dates. For more information, please visit https://iuk-ktp.org.uk/.