UCLB’s ‘top tier’ contribution to UCL highlighted in KEF results

UCLB and UCL’s excellence in Intellectual Property (IP) and commercialisation have again been recognised in the fourth Knowledge Exchange Framework results, in which UCL retains its position one of the best UK universities for knowledge exchange. 

The KEF looks at the wide range of activities that higher education institutions undertake with external partners for the benefit of society and the economy. 

These activities include partnering with industry, businesses and the public and third sectors, as well as commercialising research through spinout businesses, licensing intellectual property and nurturing student entrepreneurship. 

UCLB’s impact 

This year, UCL scored in the highest band in the areas of Intellectual Property and commercialisation, research partnerships, working with business and working with the public and third sector. 

Over the last five years, UCLB supported the establishment of 51 spinouts from UCL research, which have raised over £2.9bn in capital investment and currently employ over 2,200 people, making UCL third in the UK for attracting external investment. 

In addition to creating spinouts, UCL was praised for how it supports academics to licence ground-breaking technologies for commercial development and manufacture.  A revolutionary gene therapy treatment for people with haemophilia A, developed at UCL and licensed to BioMarin Pharmaceuticals Inc via UCLB is offering adults with the disease a one-off, life-changing treatment instead of regular injections previously required to manage the disorder. 

The treatment, Roctavian, is the first ever gene therapy for adults with severe haemophilia A to be approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following a similar approval in 2022 by the European Commission. 

A proud response 

Anne Lane, CEO of UCLB, said: “We welcome Research England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) results, which highlight the tremendous work that the UCL ecosystem undertakes with external partners for the benefit of society and the economy.” 

“These results are also testament to the ongoing commitment that UCLB has in broadening UCL’s commercial reach. It’s a particular honour to be ranked in the top tier for IP and commercialisation, and licences such as Roctavian speak to the life changing real world impact that these efforts provide for society.” 

 Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) said: “UCL has consistently performed well in KEF and I’m delighted to see us retain our leading position this year. Our breadth and depth as one of the leading universities in the country allows us to deliver knowledge exchange at scale. From providing policy makers with unbiased expert advice to developing highly effective new treatments for cancer patients, UCL creates innovations and ideas that impact and boost our society and economy. 

“Many congratulations to our staff, our students and graduates, and to the businesses, governments and other partner organisations and investors that we collaborate with.” 

Entrepreneurial community 

UCL’s thriving entrepreneurial community produces startups that attract millions of pounds of investment, creating jobs and spearheading innovation that boosts the UK economy. Over the last five years more than 335 new student startups were created at UCL. Collectively they have raised over £327m in external investment and currently employ over 2,000 people. 

Read UCL’s full story on the KEF results, here.