Science offers new dawn for jobs in York
Posted on 16 October 2006
Bioniqs is typical of a new breed of 60 science-based companies in York that have generated more than 2,600 new jobs in the last eight years. The Science City York partnership involving the City of York Council, the University and private industry aims to create a total of 15,000 technology-based jobs by 2021.
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alistair Darling visited Bioniqs today (Monday 16 October) to see for himself how the company designs and manufactures novel ionic liquids - salts that are molten at room temperature - which can be specifically tailored for biochemical systems.
They offer significant advantages for biocatalytic processes in manufacturing industry (chemical, pharmaceutical, paper and textile) with the advantages of being non-toxic, non-flammable and biodegradable.
The University of York plays an increasingly important role in generating new business and new jobs in the region
Professor Brian Cantor
During a tour of Bioniqs premises on York Science Park, Mr Darling was shown the company’s analytical room where ionic liquids are designed and a synthesis suite, where the resulting liquids are produced.
The company, whose liquids are manufactured under licence by pharmaceutical group Merck, is using the £200,000 investment from the Viking Fund to employ more staff. A further £450,000 was also raised recently from IPGroup and other angel investors in the UK.
Bioniqs CEO Dr Adam Walker said: "We are expanding thanks to the Viking Fund support and we plan to continue to generate new employment in York and to help the city to remain a centre of scientific innovation."
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Cantor said: "The University of York plays an increasingly important role in generating new business and new jobs in the region. We want to use the creative talents of our researchers to boost the knowledge-based economy."
Mr Darling earlier held talks on the role of the University's world-class research and the city’s economic future with Professor Cantor and senior staff at the University.
Notes to editors:
- Bioniqs Ltd was established by CNAP (Centre for Novel Agricultural Products) at the University of York with support from its commercialisation partners Amaethon and IP2IPO.
- Ionic liquids have high solvation capacities for inorganic, organic and polymeric materials – certain ionic liquids can dissolve DNA, cellulose and even coal and rocks while still being compatible with glass, metal or plastic containers.
- Ionic liquids, being designed and manufactured by Bioniqs, have hydromimetic (water-like) properties, permitting proteins, such as enzymes, to function in the near absence of water. Ionic liquids also provide realistic alternatives to molecular organic solvents for numerous industrial applications, including solvent extraction, lubrication, hydraulic fluids and sensor technologies where their superior properties and benign characteristics are desirable.
- The University of York has established an international reputation for the quality of its research. Each year, its academics produce a substantial body of the world’s newest and best science and technology. The Government has identified the University of York’s academic excellence as a key driver of local, regional and national economic success. The University has a total of 10,700 students, 3,000 staff and more than 30 academic departments and research centres. More information on research at York is available at www.york.ac.uk/research/ Science City York is a successful partnership between the City of York Council, the University of York and private industry. It was created in 1998 to capitalise on the international research strengths of the University of York and other strengths of the city and sub-region to generate new high quality local business and employment opportunities
- The Science City York model has achieved high levels of business engagement to foster an environment in which creative, science and technology excellence can thrive. Science City York has a major track record of success with more than 240 science, technology and creative organisations already based in York and creating more than 2600 jobs and 60 companies in its first seven years. Its future vision, supported by Yorkshire Forward, is to create an additional 15,000 technology-based jobs by 2021. Further information from: www.sciencecityyork.org.uk
- The £5m Viking Fund is a Yorkshire-wide, co-investment venture capital fund set up with UK government capital, under the DTI/Small Business Service’s Early Growth Fund. It provides early-stage risk capital to match - on the same terms - that invested by business angels or other private sector investors. More information at www.vikingfund.co.uk.