By james art
The Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) hosted a business pitch in collaboration with Arup and Bruntwood SciTech as part of Birmingham Tech Week 2024.
The periodic Tech Week event was held at Arup’s offices in Birmingham city centre. It was attended by around 60 guests from industry, academia, investors and local government. Arup, a global engineering consultancy, and Bruntwood SciTech, a leading provider of science and technology properties, are key partners in AIME’s vision.
AIME is a globally unique interdisciplinary institute for the development of novel biomimetic membranes, established with a major grant of £10 million from Research England. The AIME team will focus on the development of bioinspired, highly selective polymer structures for applications in water treatment and waste remediation, nanoparticles loaded with therapeutic molecules to treat disorders ranging from chronic wounds to neurological damage, and purification of individual membrane proteins with polymers to study them as drug targets, among others.
Guests at the AIME Tech Week exhibition were welcomed by AIME Manager Paul Knobbs, before a presentation by Co-Director Professor Paul Topham, Director of Learning Professor Alan Goddard and Head of Marketing and Communications Dr Matt Derry. The presentation explained the science behind AIME, the differences between biological and chemical membranes and the benefits of combining their properties, and the industries and sectors likely to be affected, including water treatment, sustainable chemical production and fully recyclable batteries.
A panel discussion considered the importance and opportunities for membrane bioengineering research and knowledge exchange for the West Midlands. The panel was chaired by Professor Andrew Dove of the University of Birmingham and consisted of Rob Valentine, Regional Director at Bruntwood SciTech, Dr Lisa Smith, Chief Executive of Midlands Mindforge, a science equity firm, and Professor Goddard.
Professor Goddard explained that there is currently a lack of biotech facilities and investment in the West Midlands. AIME will help develop a network and partnerships to start building the sector in the region and build its reputation nationally and globally. One of the main tasks of AIME is to train the next generation of membrane scientists, and while some will stay, others will go to institutes around the world, expanding networks and developing new opportunities for academic collaboration and more significant research awards.
Valentine said Bruntwood SciTech plans to build dedicated lab space for AIME to develop the platform technology. He believes AIME has the potential to be a major part of Birmingham’s economic renaissance.
Dr Smith said that from a venture capital perspective, a world-changing technology that could save lives, significantly increase energy efficiency or improve access to rare and vital minerals was an ideal investment opportunity, particularly for patient investments such as that of the Midlands Mindforge, with time to see the results of the research.
Of utmost importance to AIME will be collaboration with industry. Professor Goddard said AIME would go into industry to find real-world problems and solve them. One example could be working with mining companies to understand exactly which substances need to be separated and developing an individual solution. He invited all those interested to get in touch.
All speakers emphasized the importance of scientists, the city, existing investors and industry coming together to promote AIME’s work, attract the attention of industry and investors. Engagement, messaging and communication with industry, government and the public, as well as identifying appropriate trade routes and attracting the right talent, will be critical.
Professor Goddard said:
“We need to make sure that the institute is sustainable at the end of the five years. By the end of the next five years, I hope we will have a blockbuster drug emerging from the research and some new biomembranes with the technology developed in a new company in its own new premises. These are at least two significant projects that have been commercialized and are making a real difference.”
Valentine said:
“The Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) is a game changer for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region. This first-of-its-kind facility will drive global innovation in membrane science, an emerging sector with huge potential in industries including healthcare, energy and manufacturing. AIME will attract leading talent, foster collaboration between academia and industry, and provide the necessary infrastructure to accelerate research and commercialization. By placing Birmingham at the heart of this transformative area, AIME will strengthen the region’s position as a key player in the global knowledge economy.”