Biotechnology YES Any Ideas?

1. Biotechnology YES Any Ideas?

2. Introduction • Idea Generation • What has won before • It doesn’t need to work • What is your market • Keep it simple • Have something up your sleeve

3. Idea Generation First find a problem Going with what you know • Your research (a chance to share) • Your life Hot topics • What’s in the news (maybe not) Remember the idea is not that important

4. What has won before • A non-allergenic gluten replacement • Analysing blood chemistry with a hand-held device that harnesses fluorescing quantum dots • A genetically modified Hosta plant control slugs • To develop chiral amino acids as the basis for drugs • Combining distillation and fermentation for efficient ethanol production • Contact lenses for diabetics that change colour when their glucose levels change • Product that removes bird waste from buildings • Genetically modified grass that never needs cutting • A novel vaccine for Hepatitis C • Oral insulin-delivery system for the treatment of diabetes

5. It doesn’t need to work Theoretically possible yes, a genuine idea – probably easier if it isn’t A simple flaw that can be glossed over You’ve got a real idea- try a market alternative

6. What is your market • Ideas might be great but who will be paying for it? • The market need not be big but needs to be well defined

7. Keep it simple • Simple ideas are often the best • Prof Doug Newton a former lecturer in Science Education devised the Urine flow meter after being treated for a common problem

8. Have something up your sleeve Whatever your market is its great to have something to say you could do next. • Another market (new countries) • A related product • A new business model (franchise) • Takeover plans

9. Conclusion A straight forward idea, with a clear an well defined market will be easier to pitch Don’t worry if there is an obvious flaw in your idea that will be easier to overcome than a complex idea with no obvious problem