The UK Dementia Research Institute is dedicated to developing effective treatments and preventive strategies for people affected by dementia and age-related neurodegenerative conditions. Our network of translational champions transforms scientific breakthroughs into innovative therapeutics, diagnostics, and technologies.
Through our Business & Innovation Team, we support collaborative, multidisciplinary research from concept to clinic, across the development spectrum - early proof-of-concept studies, pre-clinical development, clinical trials, technology validation and commercial implementation.
Strategic partnerships with charities, not-for-profits, and private organisations complement our strengths in discovery research, enabling development of novel biomarkers and treatments across multiple modalities including small molecules, antibodies, advanced therapies, medtech and non-invasive IoT (Internet of Things) approaches.
We manage comprehensive funding schemes supporting projects from early proof-of-concept to clinical studies, ensuring promising discoveries advance toward patient benefit. This robust support system maintains our position as a leading hub for neurodegenerative disease innovation.
A researcher looks through a microscope in the lab. Credit: D Martin
Our team
Our approach
We operate as a one-stop shop for accessing the UK's leading dementia research portfolio, supported by our dedicated Business & Innovation Team, facilitating the journey from discovery to patient benefit through:
- Intellectual property identification and protection
- Strategic partnerships and collaborations
- Spin-out company formation
- Licensing opportunities
- Internal translational funding schemes
- Commercial guidance and support
- 5 strategic partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies
We collaborate with global pharmaceutical companies to accelerate therapeutic development, which provide access to cutting-edge research and expertise, collaborative research opportunities, licensing of novel therapeutic targets, strategic research alliances and early access to innovative technologies. We have established five strategic industry partnerships to date.
- 4 UK DRI spin-out companies launched
We support our researchers in translating their discoveries into new companies that can develop treatments for people living with or at risk of dementia and associated neurodegenerative conditions. Our spin-out companies receive support from the UK DRI Innovation and Business team throughout their journey, from initial concept to investment and growth. We have successfully launched several spin-out companies:
- AstronauTx
- Aviadobio
- Cambridge Phenotyping
- Stealth mode spin-out
- 1 uniquely competitive IP structure to accelerate translation
We operate a unique intellectual property (IP) model that enables rapid and efficient translation across our centres. Through formal agreements, and relationships established with host university technology transfer offices, we can coordinate IP arising from any centre under a single framework, allowing us to act as a one-stop shop for industry partners and investors. This streamlined approach simplifies collaboration, speeds up commercialisation, and maximises the potential impact of our discoveries.
- Wraparound support for UK DRI researchers
We provide comprehensive support to help UK DRI researchers maximise the impact of their discoveries. Our team works closely with researchers to identify and protect intellectual property, funds early-stage translational projects through our competitive Translation Award programme, and provides expert commercial guidance and industry connections. This end-to-end support ensures our scientists have the resources and expertise needed to transform promising research into real-world treatments, diagnostics, and technologies.
- Licensing opportunities
We are currently seeking partnerships for the following projects:
Our impact
How we work with partners
Collaboration and investment are crucial to realising the full potential of the breakthroughs we make in the lab, and translating these discoveries into tangible benefits for people affected or at risk of dementia and associated neurodegenerative conditions.
We're proud of our growing list of partnerships focused on enabling translational science to flourish at the Institute. Alongside our strategic industry partners, in 2022, we also initiated a £30m strategic partnership with medical research charity, LifeArc, to support translational research at the Institute. As established experts in translation, LifeArc not only bring funding but technology transfer and translational science expertise, and access to technology platforms such as diagnostics and antibody development - bridging the challenging gap between lab discoveries made at UK DRI and clinical trials.
If you are interested in finding out more about these opportunities, and others in partnerships and collaborations, get in touch with the team below.
investment made by LifeArc in UK DRI
Contact us
If you are interested in partnering with us or would like to discuss any research in greater detail, please contact our Chief Innovation and Business Officer, Róisín NicAmhlaoibh.
If you would like to keep updated on UK DRI activities in translation and innovation, sign up to our quarterly translation newsletter.
