Mapping an open-innovation microbiome ecosystem: Tackling Infection Transmission case study

As part of a unique initiative funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and delivered by iiCON, companies and research groups with novel solutions to tackle infection transmission were offered the opportunity to shape the direction of the UK’s infection response and bid for funding.

After successful sandpit events, iiCON announced 11 new projects had received a share of £1.5 million in funding from UKRI as part of its ongoing work to support innovative ways of tackling infections.

Here, we explore how one of the successful projects led by innovation investment company LYVA Labs developed a comprehensive roadmap identifying and mapping out the microbiome eco-system within the Liverpool City Region. This provided a portal for innovators looking to engage with the outstanding microbiome capabilities available at any stage in the innovation journey from research to market.

The Challenge:                                                                                                            

The microbiome is the collection of all microbes – bacteria, fungi, viruses – within a system. In our bodies, it is the set of microbes that live on our skin, in our mouths, our gut, etc. The microbiome has a major impact upon our health as it is involved in the prevention of infection or, when compromised, increased risk of transmission.

A better understanding of the microbiome is crucial to developing new strategies to prevent and treat infection, and to the creation of microbiome-targeting or microbiome-based therapies. Beyond human health, microbiome research also touches upon agri-tech, environment and energy, food, and industrial biotechnology.

The UK has considerable underpinning microbiome R&D capacity and capability, including the Microbiome Innovation Centre (MIC), led by the University of Liverpool, yet many innovations fail to realise their full potential because we lack the ecosystem connectivity and business development support needed to translate research to clinical or commercial impact.

The Response:

In this project, LYVA Labs aimed to define better ways to deliver greater clinical and commercial impact from microbiome research. Building upon recommendations from previous national microbiome network, strategic roadmap and stakeholder workshops, the team ran follow-up engagement activity to characterise the barriers in greater depth then proposed specific technical, infrastructure, support or other recommendations.

Outputs were leveraged to galvanise and grow a comprehensive open innovation ecosystem of technical, commercial and regulatory partners who provide technology transfer and business development support all along the pathway from microbiome research to the clinic or market, driving growth in UK PLC, with the potential to attract industry from overseas.

LYVA Labs was able to scope barriers to translating and commercialising microbiome research, focusing on known challenges around manufacturing, data, regulation, and bio-resources which has been compiled into a detailed report. More than 120 stakeholders across academia, SMEs, industry, healthcare, regulation, and policy were engaged during the project.

The team mapped the assets, capabilities, challenges, and opportunities for microbiome innovation through workshops, interviews, and surveys, and explored pathways to further develop the thriving open innovation ecosystem in Liverpool City Region.

They delivered:

• 56 In-depth Interviews
• 38 Survey Respondents
• 6 Case Studies 
• 100 Participants across 3 Workshops

A detailed report examining barriers and recommendations for Liverpool City Region to grow its microbiome open innovation ecosystem was developed and published. You can read the report here.

A dedicated data science review was also delivered by expert bioinformaticians Cofactory.

The team used a virtual mapping tool to analyse LCR’s microbiome innovation assets such as research output, translational and commercialisation expertise and identified key capabilities across the region.  The insightful case studies demonstrate microbiome science in action and being translated into real world applications.

The project enhanced links between industry and research within the microbiome space, helping forge new connections and bridge gaps in this highly innovative area, particularly by connecting SMEs into the Microbiome Innovation Centre.

“We had an enormously positive experience working with iiCON on this project. Having their backing for the project opened many doors and elevated the importance of this work regionally and nationally. From the contracting, operational, monitoring and communication aspects, they have been highly supportive, responsive and efficient.

“They were with us every step of the way to help us succeed and in many cases went over and above what would typically be expected from a commissioning relationship. The positive outcomes were co-created with their support.”

Lorna Green, CEO, LYVA Labs