Medicine and health entrepreneurs see benefits from collaboration
Rupal Ismin
How do two seemingly opposing areas 鈥� industry and research 鈥� combine to form a harmonious, mutually beneficial synergy?听Rupal Ismin,听who听has a wealth of experience in听developing structures to support innovative businesses,听created听the University鈥檚听Sydney Knowledge Hub (SKH)听which addresses this very problem.听
SKH鈥檚听dynamic, innovative initiative is a haven for start-ups,听non profits听and organisations seeking resources, support and a place to expand and grow.听Manoeuvring through听a university鈥檚听 bureaucracy听can be daunting for industry.听鈥淲e help industry navigate the university,鈥� says Rupal. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a matter of knowing who to talk to听and exploiting听underutilised resources, like 3D printers听or听core research facilities,听introduction to IP lawyers to assist in evaluating patents,听or sourcing an abundance of talented interns.鈥澨�
Corporates can use the SKH as their primary source of work. But the听Hub听offers more than just office space. Acting in the role of the concierge, it unlocks resources and connects ideas and products in a casual, comfortable environment.
鈥淯niversities are a breeding ground for truly innovative solutions,鈥� she adds. 鈥淏reakthrough innovations generally require a long incubation period, which Universities almost uniquely can provide."
鈥淗aving an association with a听top ranked听university gives a credibility bump听for products in the听early stage听of听work,鈥� says Rupal.听
Faculty of Medicine and Health鈥檚听Professor Patrick Brennan,听CEO and co-founder of the University鈥檚听 stressed,听"you cannot overestimate the value of having such a prestigious home base. We would not have had a chance (with hospital partnerships in China) without this address.鈥澨�
DetectED-X is a University of Sydney听start-up that invented the听world鈥檚 first tool听to improve the COVID-19 diagnosis, free, and online.听
The benefits stretch beyond what the university has to offer. Industry can leverage their funding with government schemes that match every dollar that the research is producing.听
Several start-ups have formed powerful connections in establishing their business globally.听, the chief scientist of the Breast Cancer for Blood Screening organisation,听,听is now running studies in the USA to develop novel technology in the BCAL test.听
鈥淚t has been a great experience and we developed deep and meaningful relationships with researchers at The University of Sydney and beyond,鈥� says Amani. 鈥淕iven our expertise in听lipidomics听and mass spectrometry, paired with deep collaborations with industry, we have been assisting other University researchers in a great environment of symbiotic learning.鈥澨�
