Designed to be one of Europe’s most effective University Technology Transfer offices, the has built a new team and processes for commercialising the University’s innovations and intellectual property.

The new organisation’s core mission is to use this IP to create positive social and economic impact. The Innovation Factory works with academic and student inventors to identify research that has the potential to create future value.

Access to innovations may be created via technology licensing or the formation of new spin-out companies. The Innovation Factory aims to provide a world class service to academic colleagues as well as important external stakeholders, including industry, entrepreneurs, licensees, VC & angel investors as well as corporate venturing partners.

has the objective of creating between 15 to 20 new spin-out companies each year based on novel ideas coming from the University’s three faculties; Medicine Biology & Health, Science & Engineering and Humanities. It also aims to generate significant incremental income and impact by signing deals with companies wishing to license the University’s diverse portfolio of intellectual property.

Previously known as UMI³., the organisation has recently been restructured to more effectively deliver its mission. It now comprises four main functional groups: Operations; Business Development; Finance, Legal & Asset Portfolio and Information & Digital Marketing. New processes are also being developed to ensure that ideas with potential value are identified, rapidly evaluated and built into assets such as patents or new businesses.

Andrew Wilkinson, The Innovation Factory’s Chief Executive comments: "The University of Manchester is a truly global institution, with a reputation for education and innovation that resonates across the world. The Innovation Factory has the responsibility to take the world-changing ideas and technologies that are created at the University and commercialise them to be used for the benefit of society as a whole.

"We are building a team, processes and a culture in the new organisation that focuses, above all, on creating positive social and economic impact. We are also looking to create new funding models to support translational research and new spinout businesses. These include The Ideas with Impact Partnership Programme."

Following on from its success in previous years, the Psoriasis Shout Out is taking to the road this year, expanding its reach across the UK and Ireland.

World-leading psoriasis expert Professor Chris Griffiths, Director of the 91直播 Centre for Dermatology Research at The University of Manchester is heading the series of special to get people talking about this often overlooked chronic condition.

The healthcare roadshow will be visiting locations across Greater 91直播 and Ireland from the 9th to the 13th of October to raise awareness of this chronic and often life-altering skin condition.

Researchers, clinicians and patients alike are joining forces to spread the message that given the right treatment and support, it’s possible to live well with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is characterised by red, scaling patches on the skin but is also associated with other conditions such as heart disease, arthritis and depression

The condition affects over 1.8 million people across the UK, which equates to 75,000 patients in Greater 91直播 alone - enough to pack out Old Trafford Stadium!

Professor Griffiths, who is also a Consultant Dermatologist at Salford Royal Hospital, said: “For many people psoriasis can be life ruining, but treatments are getting better all the time with many more options available. We aim to highlight to patients the range of pioneering research ongoing in 91直播 and beyond”

The trailer will be visiting Salford Royal Hospital, St Ann’s Square, 91直播 and Bury , complete with a fully-equipped healthcare trailer. Visitors will be able to jump onboard and speak with clinicians, researchers and patient ambassadors.

Free events for the public will be held in 91直播, Newcastle, Leeds and Dublin.

Events in 91直播 include a patient focused event on Thursday 11^th October at CityLabs, Nelson Street (0ff Oxford Road) 5-7pm.

This will be an opportunity for patients to find out more about psoriasis, treatment options and research opportunities in 91直播.

This is immediately followed by a launch event (7-8.30pm) for the new Psoriasis-Rapid Access Clinic - a cutting edge initiative and a revolutionary approach to psoriasis management which may be transformational for patients.

An introduction to Lyengar yoga as a way to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing will also be held on the 12th of October between 10:30-11:30 in G.66 Simon Building at The University of Manchester. ….

To mark the 50^th Anniversary of the UK Psoriasis Association, patients and professionals will also be encouraged throughout the week to get involved in creating their own  – audio clips sharing experience, busting myths and letting everyone know what living with psoriasis is really like.