The funding, part of a nearly £3 million investment across seventeen projects from seven universities, will support the commercialisation of research. The Proof of Concept fund, piloted last year, aims to help researchers explore and realise the commercial potential of their work. The University of Aberdeen's share of £400K will accelerate various stages of the spinout process, including prototype development, market analysis, and investor pitches.
Among the funded projects is the development of a Non-Invasive Stool-Based Diagnostic for TDP-43 Aggregation, led by Dr Sergio Dall’Angelo. This initiative aims to create a simple stool test for diagnosing digestive conditions linked to abnormal TDP-43 protein build-up, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis and personalised treatment.
A First-in-Class Muscle-Targeted Therapy to Preserve Lean Mass During Weight Loss is also receiving support. Led by Dr Brendan Gabriel's team, this therapy seeks to preserve muscle mass during weight loss, addressing a limitation in current obesity treatments and promoting better long-term health.
The third project, Scensai: An Electronic Nose for the Beverage Industry, is developing an affordable handheld device for objective chemical readings in beverage quality control. Led by Marcus Campbell Bannerman, Scensai was also a recent winner of the CONVERGE Challenge award.
“"We are absolutely delighted to see three University of Aberdeen projects being included in this much-needed investment from the Scottish Government. Supporting spinouts and entrepreneurial activity, transforming innovation-driven enterprise into viable businesses, is a vital part of how we deliver societal, economic and environmental impact. I am excited to see what this financial backing can do to accelerate these projects towards commercialisation."
