business support network

Morrison and Foerster

Morrison & Foerster has more than 1,000 lawyers in 17 offices in the US, Asia and Europe and provides a full range of legal services to technology companies and their investors, with work for these clients accounting for almost one third of their global business.  Their commitment to the technology sector means that they act for multi-national companies, individual entrepreneurs, start-ups and growth companies at all stages of development.“MoFo acted for Thiakis and the selling shareholders including Imperial on the sale of Thiakis to Wyeth for a consideration of up to £100 million.

I found MoFo to be pragmatic and responsive.  They came up with solutions to problems and made a substantial contribution in making the transaction happen.” John Burt, CEO, Thiakis LimitedClients: Oxford Immunotec, Oxagen, Renovo, Oxford Biotherapeutics, CellcoTec, Orteq, Plethora Solutions, Rhytec, Lab21, PharmaKodex, GreenPower, Artilium, Telrock Communications, Skyguard Technologies.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Dorsey is a  leading global legal firm advising emerging technology-dependent businesses worldwide on all matters ranging from early – stage, 'friends and family' and business angel investments, subsequent venture capital and private equity funding rounds (both equity and convertible debt) through to exits via trade sale or initial public offering and beyond. Dorsey understands the value of intellectual property and works on global solutions for protection and commercialisation of intellectual property.

Dorsey acts for a large number of technology and life science spin outs from a number of British and US academic institutions and offer highly attractive feeing arrangements to high growth start ups.

Clients: DNA Electronics Limited, Toumaz UK Limited, EVO Electric Limited, Microsaic LimitedMiNA Therapeutics Limited, Emcision Limited, LiverCyte Limited, Stanmore Implants Worldwide Limited, Greentech Corporation, Serapis Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ziva Bioscience Limited

Fasken Martineau LLP

Fasken Martineau is one of the world's leading international commercial law firms. 

Fasken Martineau has a global life sciences team comprising 71 lawyers. 21 strong life sciences team in London has over 125 years collective experience in the sector and one of the most complete life sciences legal offerings amongst any UK firm.

Fasken Martineau assists life sciences companies at all stages of their development, including:

• Formation (company law, tax law, employment law, seed and angel funding, commercial law and in-licensing);
• Development (first round and subsequent VC financings, intellectual property, outsourcing, regulatory, product liability, dispute resolution, competition law);
• Pivotal or exit transactions (large scale licensing and collaboration, M&A, IPO, public company law).

Fasken Martineau has considerable experience and expertise in dealing with spin-out and early stage companies and can service their needs in a cost effective manner. 

Clients:

Biotech / Medtech Sector:

• Fasken Martineau acts for early stage companies (e.g. Aqix, CellCentric, Domainex, Modern Biosciences, Selective Antibodies, Stabilitech, Trojantec and Varleigh);
• Mid sized companies (e.g. Apitope, Novacta, Summit and Synairgen);
• Large companies (e.g. Antisoma), drug delivery companies (e.g. SkyePharma).

Pharmaceutical Sector:

• Mid sized companies (Alliance, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ipsen, Fresenius, Glenmark, Kyowa Hakko, Leo, Nordic, Nycomed and Sinclair Pharma) and small companies (e.g. Dunelm, HRA Pharma and Medesis);
• Large companies (e.g. Merck Serono, Mylan, Novo Nordisk and Takeda);
• Fasken Martineau also acts for generic pharmaceutical companies (e.g. Mylan and Omnipharm).

COMMERCIAL CONTACT

Allistair Booth
abooth@fasken.co.uk
+44 207 917 8520

Oamps Special Risks

Oamps Special Risks provide insurance and risk management solutions for companies in the Life Science and Technology Sectors.  For many years Oamps dedicated team have been assisting a wide variety of businesses in the UK and overseas at all stages in their lifecycle, from university spinouts to fully listed companies.  

Oamps vast experience, access to global networks and long standing relationships with key insurers means we can negotiate effectively and efficiently on your behalf, wherever your exposures may be. Oamps understand the unique exposures you face, the challenging regulatory environment you operate in and the assistance you will need through landmark events such as clinical trials, fundraising or product launches. 

Oamps will provide you with practical advice and a professional service at every stage, becoming an invaluable resource and an extension of your business.

Why Oamps?

• Exclusive risk advisers to the BioIndustry Association (BIA)
• Vast knowledge and experience of your Sector from a dedicated team
• Risk management, health and safety and business continuity planning advice and assistance
• Training seminars and boardroom briefings available to clients on topics such as Directors’ and Officers’, Intellectual Property and Clinical Trials Liability
• Industry specific newsletters
• Strong relationships with leading insurers for your Sector
• Members of a specialist global broker network to enable us to arrange cover for overseas operations
• Full service available for business and personal Insurance requirements

Natwest

NatWest offers an extensive customer service that can facilitate its clients’ needs. 

NatWest supports smaller businesses and provides financial solutions to help businesses focus on other key areas such as good customer relations, their people and their market place

 NatWest is the only high street bank to offer start ups two years’ free banking, supported by free face to face advice from its network of locally based business managers who understand the local marketplace and are committed to becoming active partners in their customers’ businesses. The bank provides a range of bespoke funding products and offers advice on finance management, marketing and basic management.

Clients: Emcision, Nexeon, Molecular Vision

RSM Tenon

Through a comprehensive suite of accounting and consultancy services, RSM offers intelligent solutions to a national client base that ranges from individuals and entrepreneurial-led owner managed businesses, to large corporations and public sector organisations.

With leadership in the provision of business advisory, risk management, tax, recovery and financial management services, RSM is the UK’s 7th largest accounting firm with a fee income of £250m, employing nearly 3,000 people with offices in all major commercial centres across the UK.

RSM helps entrepreneurs create, protect and enhance personal wealth. RSM gives board and senior executives the assurance they need to manage their organisation effectively and the proactive support they demand to help them stay ahead of the competition.

RSM Tennon is the UK member of RSM International, the 6th largest global accounting network with over 730 offices in more than 70 countries, and in excess of 30,000 people worldwide.

ICUK

Innovation China UK, a subsidiary of Queen Mary Innovation Limited, provides a full range of services to UK companies seeking to commercialise their technology and products in the Chinese market

Services

• Market research

Providing in-depth knowledge of the Chinese market for your technology, including local customers, competition and regulations

• China entry strategies

Working with you to develop the most suitable strategy for your technology and helping you source R&D partners, licensees, buyers and distributors in China

• Intellectual Property commercialisation

Using our knowledge of technology transfer in China ICUK will guide you through the steps required to commercialise your IP in the Chinese market

• Public sector events

ICUK is an official partner of Science Innovation Network, part of BIS, and leverage their support to organise technology partnering events and innovation forums in China

 Background

ICUK began as a £4.9m government funded initiative to increase knowledge transfer and research collaboration between China and the UK, and has built up a wide range of expertise and contacts working with industry and government in the UK and China

 The ICUK Team

UCUK is a bilingual, UK and China based consultancy team, experienced in Healthcare, Engineering, Renewable Energy and Low Carbon technologies

With a strong track record of successfully introducing companies to the Chinese market ICUK is uniquely placed to help your organisation grow in China

Queen Mary Innovation

The knowledge transfer strategy of Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) is driven by Queen Mary Innovation (QMI) which promotes enterprise and innovation across the College. QMI provides a route for businesses and the wider community to access the skills and expertise of the researchers, academics and students at QMUL. QMI’s technical and commercial experience in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors is a valuable asset which could bring significant benefits to your company when working with them including: 

Technology Transfer  

• Adding value to your proprietary intellectual property and know-how through:

• Initial technical and patentability assessment
• Market, industry and competitor analysis
• In-depth technical and commercial due diligence
• Commercialisation and route-to-market analysis
• Advising on in/out licensing strategy, structure and drafting

• Assisting with business planning, business development and access to the early-stage VC community

 Business Development  

• Identifying know-how and research capabilities to meet your business needs
• Securing funding for collaborative research projects involving academia-industry partnerships. Assistance and advice are available on a range of funding streams including:

• EU Framework 7 Programme
• Technology Strategy Board Platforms
• Industrial PhD Studentships
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

• Accessing high-value specialist equipment and expertise
• Accessing skilled research students allowing assessment of future employment possibilities

iDentity Creative

iDentityCreative is a graphic and website design agency based in Cambridge, UK.
Specialising in corporate identity, branding, design for print, web design and development. iDentityCreative is very proud to work with a variety of national clients across diverse market sectors and making their target audience sit up and take notice.

Clients: The QMB Innovation Centre, Isogenica, Deep South USA Tourist Board, Glassworks International, European Spa Magazine, University of Cambridge, Bradshaws Residential, WalkerWallis Solicitors, Catalink, Oakbank Game & Conservation

Sumac

Sumac is a digital agency based in East London. Company realises ideas online, doing clever things with websites, mobile, iPhone apps, social media and applications in the digital landscape. 

Sumac listens to our clients, the market and our conscience. It thinks, talks and understands. Sumac explores and invents, defines and redefines, until company has a plan that works. Then Sumac builds, really well, on time and on budget. And through it all, Sumac supports, reacts and advises. Sumac takes care of it. 

Sumac Devise Digital

Clients: The QMB Innovation Centre, The Russell Group, Social Enterprise London, St. Luke’s Advertising, Magic FM, English Language Testing, The Bank Agency, FinalMed, PredictorPro, Connect Charity for Communication Disability.

Paul

Creative design, brand positioning and marketing communications, all by Paul. Engaging creative that connects your brand to your customers – always considering your brand values, your target audience, and your budget.

Carpmaels & Ransford

The first UK patent firm, Carpmaels & Ransford (C&R) has been at the vanguard of intellectual property for over 200 years. Carpmaels & Ransford’s roots in London now extend to Munich and around the globe with long-standing client relationships in the USA, Japan and across Europe.

Carpmaels & Ransford has been at the forefront of biotechnology since the industry’s inception. Carpmaels & Ransford have grown into the largest and most highly reputed team of biotech specialists in Europe.

 The large volume of work C&W handle in the biotech field has enabled C&W to build unrivalled experience in all aspects of patent advice, from drafting through patent prosecution and, especially important in this field, opposition and appeal practice.

Clients:  Novartis, Oxford Gene Technology Ltd, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc., Eli Lilly, ITI Scotland, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Oxford BioMedica and Janssen Alzheimer's Immunotherapy.