From Lab to Impact: Nature Awards and Seed Health Partner to Launch Microbiome Accelerator, Translating Breakthrough Research for Real-World Health Innovations
The program is designed to fast-track groundbreaking microbiome research for broad impact, preserving the integrity and rigour of science throughout the translational process
London | Berlin | New York, 16 April 2024
Nature Awards, part of Springer Nature, has today announced a new partnership with Seed Health, the innovative US-based microbiome science company, to launch Nature Awards Microbiome Accelerator. The programme will identify the next generation of microbiome researchers inspired to translate their work into real-world impact, and will provide grants, guidance and hands-on translational development support to accelerate the commercialization of their discoveries.
Seed Health Co-Founder Raja Dhir said, "The potential of the microbiome for health is transformative, impacting every stage of life from day one through year 100. We are inspired to work with Nature Awards to engage some of the brightest minds in the field, touching on those emerging areas of research with the potential to completely transform our understanding of health and care paradigms. The Microbiome Accelerator is about empowering scientists with the tools they need to turn life-changing discoveries into real-world impacts—delivering rigorous, scientifically-validated health benefits to those who need them most."
The human microbiome offers vast potential for innovation across therapeutics and consumer health, holding the key to unlocking groundbreaking advancements. The Microbiome Accelerator will fast-track these promising discoveries into practical applications. The program will provide researchers with tools and connections to translate their groundbreaking research for broad impact, including funding, expert insights, science communication guidance, mentorship from industry leaders, and specialised training, culminating in an immersive residential in London, UK. Dedicated to upholding scientific integrity as it guides research through the journey to commercialisation, the programme will set a new standard for health innovation development and application.
Speaking on the award Richard Hughes, VP Publishing, Nature, commented:
“The commercialisation of university-based research creates solutions to pressing challenges and drives economic growth. Yet the commercialisation journey remains difficult and our own research indicates that academic entrepreneurs continue to lack the necessary resources. As a trusted partner to the scientific community, we believe Springer Nature can play a role in connecting researchers from universities and industry who are looking at the same problem. We’re delighted to partner with Seed Health to launch the Nature Awards Microbiome Accelerator. The Seed Health team have built a highly successful biotechnology venture and are now willing to pass on their experiences and expertise.”
Nature Awards and Seed Health invite applications from university research groups anywhere in the world who are ready to translate their microbiome discoveries into real-world solutions. Following a robust evaluation process by an expert panel, four teams will be selected to participate in this transformative initiative. Winners will collectively receive at least $100,000 in support, comprising cash grants and additional resources, to advance the translation and commercialisation of their research. They will also attend an exclusive, comprehensive four-day residential in London, UK, which will encompass specialised training and immersive workshopping across discovery, development, clinical validation, and go-to-market strategy. This inaugural group of researchers will also qualify for the opportunity to leverage Seed's established commercialisation engine to bring their research to market.
The winners will be announced at the end of 2024.
More information about the award, as well as full submission guidelines and criteria, can be found here.
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Notes to Editors
Applications for the award will be accepted from 15th April until 23rd June, 2024.
Eligibility Details
The Applicant
- Research group leader/principal investigator;
- Employed by a university, non-profit, or government funded research institute;
- Aspiration to commercialise research via licencing or creation of a spinout/spinoff company;
- Based anywhere in the world (excluding sanction sensitive countries list here).
Judging
All application will be evaluated by a panel of commercial and scientific experts based on the following metrics:
- The originality and quality of the underpinning scienceA commercially attractive and appropriate solution to address a health need Potential to build an appropriate IP portfolio to enable commercialisation Successful market adoption has the potential to deliver meaningful human health benefits
- Aspiration to explore the commercial potential of the research and capability to pursue translation
Seed Health is a microbiome science company pioneering innovations in probiotics and living medicines to impact human and planetary health. Founded to realise the potential of microbes, our platform enables the translation of breakthrough science across a portfolio encompassing both indication-specific and preventive applications for gastrointestinal and digestive health, women's health, skin and oral care, paediatrics, mental health, metabolic function, and nutrition. Our consumer innovations are commercialised under Seed® with a mission to bring much-needed precision, efficacy, education and perspective-shifting science communication to the global category of probiotics. Environmental research is conducted under SeedLabs, which was founded to advance novel bacterial interventions to enhance biodiversity and restore ecosystems impacted by human activity.
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