NU/1246-13: TREAT NMD Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation

TREAT-NMD was initially established as an FP6 EU funded Network of Excellence (2007 to 2012) coordinated by Prof Volker Straub, Newcastle University and was tasked with reshaping the research environment for rare inherited neuromuscular diseases. During the initial funding period TREAT-NMD Network of Excellence developed several tools and services to advance diagnosis, care and treatment for those living with neuromuscular diseases (http://www.treat-nmd.eu/). For the last 6 years, following the end of the FP6 EU grant, TREAT-NMD has been sustained as the TREAT-NMD Alliance, offering services through Newcastle University, funded by numerous income streams which include European grants, industry contracts and patient organisation support. To take advantage of the increasing number of new funding opportunities and to build on the success of the established services it is proposed that we establish the 'TREAT-NMD Enterprise'.