News

Angel alliance takes off in the region

(3 October 2008)

From left to right, Alan Clarke, Chris Higgins and Chris Brink, at the Angel of the North

Two of the region’s leading universities are joining forces in a ground-breaking agreement aimed at giving the North East a leading edge in the commercialisation of research for funding potential.

Durham and Newcastle universities, together with Regional Development Agency One NorthEast, have formed the Angel Alliance – a partnership designed to maximise the exploitation of the scientific discoveries being made at both institutions. With a combined annual research spend of £121m million, Durham and Newcastle’s partnership will help create a critical mass to attract investment. This formal agreement, the first to be made between the two universities, will focus specifically on enhancing the research base and turning academic research into commercial success. It also aims to secure additional central government funding to support this goal. Importantly, the Angel Alliance has been developed alongside One NorthEast which has a strong focus on harnessing the academic excellence of all the region’s universities to benefit the wider North East economy. Professor Chris Higgins, vice-chancellor of Durham University, said: “Durham University already works closely with Newcastle University on a number of successful partnerships where we have complementary expertise, such as stem cells, energy and science outreach, which have laid the foundation for this alliance. “As leading universities this alliance will provide more opportunity to combine our respective strengths and enhance the world-class research we are already undertaking. A partnership with One NorthEast to exploit this research may bring many economic and social benefits to not only the North East region but the UK too.” Professor Chris Brink, vice-chancellor of Newcastle University, added: "The Angel of the North is the iconic symbol of the North East, located between Newcastle and Durham. In choosing to call ourselves the 'Angel Alliance' we are signifying the intention of the two universities to work together with One NorthEast not only for mutual benefit but also for that of the region." Alan Clarke, chief executive of One NorthEast, explains: “The Angel Alliance is a unique collaboration that will concentrate primarily on the commercialisation of developments in science, engineering and other related fields within these two world-class universities. “The new partnership will identify specific areas of science where the strengths of Durham and Newcastle universities are complementary and where, by working with One NorthEast, there may be considerable economic advantage in exploiting this intellectual capital. It will also be a powerful partnership in bidding for research and innovation funding from Central Government.”