Universities in the UK plan to show off their wares to bioscience and pharmaceutical companies.
It is another sign of the times when a bunch of universities get together to run an exhibition and conference with the goal of getting bioscience and pharmaceutical companies to license their ideas. The gig is on 20 June at Central Hall Westminsister, coincidentally just over the road from the Department of Trade and Industry, which is always looking for evidence that academics are doing their bit to launch their science into the wider commercial world.
We first read about the show, horribly named Bioversity 2007, on the SET Squared web site. They are among the events "partners". Their announcement describes the bash as "the first exhibition of its kind dedicated to showcasing university technologies available for licensing, either directly or through early-stage spin-outs".
The show clearly hopes it will run and run. The event's own web site invites visitors to register their interest for Bioversity 2008.
Should anyone be interested, the pub next door does a good pint. Central Hall is, after all, where the Methodists hang out.