Imperial College London targeted in hunt for inventions

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BCI060
Issue Date: 9th January 2009

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New team member joins Boots Centre for Innovation

9 January 2009 - Boots Centre for Innovation has recruited a new team member following a huge response from innovators during its first year.

James Ellis will join the centre as a scientific advisor, and will work alongside existing scientific advisor Ryan Bamsey. They will provide essential scientific expertise when evaluating ideas and proposals from innovators. Both James and Ryan work closely with business development managers to assist in bringing new innovative products and technologies to the marketplace.

James will also work closely with Alliance Boots and with academics and industries to identify new product opportunities and encourage entrepreneurs to bring their pioneering ideas forward.

James has a degree in Microbiology from Liverpool University, and a PhD in Biochemistry from Manchester University. Prior to joining the Centre he worked for a number of university spin-out companies, and therefore has a thorough knowledge of the difficulties entrepreneurs often face in finding a route to market for their ideas.

Boots Centre for Innovation, which was set up in 2007 to identify and facilitate the development of pioneering health and beauty products, has already received more than 400 ideas. This number is set to increase rapidly as the centre builds relationships with universities and industries both in the UK and internationally.

Managing director Dr Ged O'Shea says: "James will be a strong addition to the team at Boots Centre for Innovation. We have been inundated with ideas from inventors and entrepreneurs, and bringing James on board will enable us to evaluate the ideas that are presented to us quickly and effectively.

"James and Ryan are absolutely key to the success of the work we do, as their expertise and scientific understanding, combined with the market knowledge of the business development team, allows us to fully assess the needs of customers and the ability of innovators to address them.”

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