Biotech spin-offs get £1.2 million boost

A group of small biotechnology spin-off companies received a £1.2 million boost this week, winning funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

The six projects were selected from 45 entrants in the first round of the BBSRC's small business research initiative, a £50 million cross-government initiative to encourage hi-tech research companies.

The companies came from Birmingham, Cambridge, Nottingham, Sheffield and Southampton universities and the Institute for Food Research.