The Problem
Biocatalytic manufacturing involves the use of enzymes rather than chemical catalysts. The aim of the Pro-Bio Faraday partnership is to promote development of the infrastructure needed to put industry in the UK at the forefront of exploiting the technology.

The Approach
BHRSolutions is teaming up with some of the UK's leading authorities in biotechnology to create the Pro-Bio Faraday Partnership. The Partnership comprises four universities and two research and technology organisations including:

• BHRSolutions.
• C-Tech
• University of Cambridge
• Institute of Biology
• UMIST Department of Chemical Engineering
• University College London's Department of Biochemical Engineering
• the University of Edinburgh Centre for Protein Technology

Industry is steering the Partnership, with support already pledged by GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, DuPont and Zylepsis, as well as Regional Development Agencies, trade and professional organisations, and venture capitalists. Dr John Beacham CBE, former Group Research Manager and Chief Scientist of ICI, acts as an independent chairman.

More Information
Use the Pro-Bio telephone help line on +44(0)1234 752057 to find out what services Pro-Bio can offer as well as to locate other sources of information.

Further information may also be found on the Pro-Bio web site at www.pro-bio-faraday.com.

For more information on using our Innovation Management services in your industry, contact us.

The Work Programme
With £2.2m funding from EPSRC and DTI, Pro-Bio stimulates research and undertakes technology translation work. The research priorities are:

• discovering and developing new biocatalysts
• developing integrated processes
• designing and modelling new processes.

The aim of the technology translation is to ensure that market needs are identified and translated into research requirements, and that the results of research are implemented industrially.

BHRSolutions' work has included:

• The production of technology roadmaps
• Technology Translation visits to discuss in confidence how the member's business could be developed in biocatalysis, leading to the production of a confidential report. If the member wishes, a non-confidential summary of its interests can also be disseminated to stimulate collaboration
• Technology reports prepared on subjects identified by members - e.g. Biocatalysis - Current Applications
• Workshops on biocatalysis themes, subsidised for members - e.g. bioelectrochemistry; ionic liquids; stability of whole cells; redox biotransformations
• Project development, including the formation of consortia, CASE awards and help finding grants
• Information on training courses and conferences, in some cases with a negotiated discount for members.
• Introductions to grant providers, technical experts and companies with complementary expertise
• Overseas Missions

Membership of Pro-Bio
Membership of Pro-Bio is now open to commercial companies wishing to explore the use or development of biocatalysis. Please contact the Pro-Bio helpline.