“We are very pleased that the MS Society approached us for help and advice on their intellectual property. We believe that creating partnerships with universities and charities is the most effective way to make sure that the results of funded research are protected and exploited for the benefit of human health. The launch of our grant terms approval process aims to help develop these relationships, and promote the best outcome for both researchers and patients,” commented Mike Johnson, Director of Corporate Partnerships, MRC Technology.
Dr Doug Brown, Head of Biomedical Research at the MS Society, said: “The MS Society is dedicated to funding the highest quality, most relevant research aimed at improving the lives of people with MS. It is therefore essential that we have appropriate processes in place to support the protection and exploitation of novel research discoveries. We’re delighted to have received MRC Technology’s stamp of approval, and look forward to building on this relationship.” MRC Technology plans to expand the new approval service to work with a wide range of medical research charities and organisations, ultimately resulting in more efficient translation of research into real patient benefit. For more information about the scheme please contact Mike Johnson on 020 7391 2825.
Contacts:
Medical Research Council Technology (MRCT)
Suzy Hargreaves
Marketing & Communications Officer
E-mail: shargreaves@tech.mrc.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7391 2798
Zyme Communications
Katie Odgaard
E-mail: Katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
Phone: +44 (0) 7787 502 947
About MRC Technology
MRC Technology (www.mrctechnology.org) is a technology transfer company responsible for adding commercial value to cutting edge scientific discoveries through strategic patent protection, creative licensing of intellectual property (IP), partnered research or further scientific development.
As well as offering technology transfer services to the UK’s Medical Research Council the Company has recently broadened its activity to include helping other charitable and academic organisations (such as AICR) with IP management and commercial development of healthcare-related science, thus bringing valuable income back to the organisations to help fund further research.
MRC Technology also has small molecule drug discovery and therapeutic antibody facilities, providing lead-stage therapeutic assets to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
MRC Technology’s approval mark (http://www.mrctechnology.org/collaborations/approval-mark):
About MS Society
- The MS Society (www.mssociety.org.uk) is the UK’s largest charity dedicated to supporting everyone whose life is touched by multiple sclerosis (MS), providing an award-winning freephone helpline (0808 800 8000), specialist MS nurses and funding around 70 vital MS research projects in the UK.
- MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults and an estimated 100,000 people in the UK have MS.
- MS is the result of damage to myelin – the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system – which interferes with messages between the brain and the body.
- For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern.
- Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, fatigue, depression and cognitive problems. There is no cure and few effective treatments.
