UCD and Revlar Labs Inc Shortlisted for 2021 Knowledge Transfer Ireland Industry Engagement Award
Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) has today announced the nine (9) shortlisted entries, in three (3) award categories, for the 2021 Impact Awards with the winners set to be announced on 26 November, at a virtual ceremony from Croke Park.
University College Dublin (UCD), through NovaUCD, has been shortlisted in the Industry Engagement Award with Revlar Labs Inc.
The Annual Impact Awards recognise significant achievements in knowledge transfer, the commercialisation of publicly funded research nationwide and engagement with research system across the third level and other similar State research institutions.
In particular, these awards pay tribute to the work of those within Ireland’s Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) around the country who provide a vital link between industry and academic research.
Revlar Labs, Inc., a medical diagnostics company established in 2020, is developing a new diagnostics product for COVID-19 testing based on a novel biosensor platform called BioSwitch™ developed by Dr Donal MacKernan, UCD School of Physics.
With the promise of delivering fast, low-cost, accurate and easy-to-use tests, the team from UCD and Revlar Labs have collaborated on further R&D with the aim of bringing these game-changing diagnostic tests to the market.
Tony Materna, CEO, Revlar Labs, said, “We are very honoured to have been included among the innovative companies recognised by Knowledge Transfer Ireland. We are also very gratified that KTI has spotlighted the groundbreaking work of Dr Donal MacKernan. He and his colleagues at UCD have created innovations at the intersection of physics and biochemistry that we at Revlar believe will make possible advances in medical diagnostics that will result in profoundly important benefits for mankind.”
Tom Flanagan, UCD Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation, NovaUCD, said, “I am delighted that UCD has been shortlisted for a 2021 KTI Impact Award for its industry engagement and collaboration with Revlar Labs to develop new diagnostics tests for diseases such as COVID-19. It is fantastic to see the work done by our knowledge transfer team in commercialising UCD research to create exciting new products and services recognised through these Awards.”
Alison Campbell, Director of KTI, said, “It is hugely encouraging to see the breadth of activity on show for this year’s Impact Awards. The enduring commitment we see from industry to work with Irish researchers sends a positive message about the engagement model we have here in Ireland and the impact from spinout companies emerging from the system is really impressive. That is testament to the strength of the Irish knowledge transfer offices and the unique system of supports that we have in the country.”
She added, “I’ve been particularly pleased to see equity, diversity and inclusion reflected in so many of the submissions this year and I’m optimistic that this trend will continue. I wish all our shortlisted entries the best of luck and look forward to unveiling the winners in November.”
Earlier this year Dr MacKernan received the 2021 NovaUCD Licence of the Year Award for the licence of the BioSwitch™ platform to Revlar Labs.
Further information on Awards and the 2021 shortlist is available via https://www.knowledgetransferireland.com/Events/KTI-Impact-Awards/KTI-Impact-Awards-2021/Finalists-and-Winners/
ENDS
30 September 2021
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, NovaUCD, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie.
Editors Notes
Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) is the national office that helps business to benefit from access to Irish expertise and technology by making it simple to connect and engage with the research base in Ireland. KTI is located in Enterprise Ireland and funded by Enterprise Ireland with co-financing from the Irish Universities Association. www.knowledgetransferireland.com
Revlar Labs’ mission is to transform the diagnostics industry with new technology to provide users with faster, easy-to-use, lower cost and more accurate testing products. https://www.revlarlabs.com/
The UCD Knowledge Transfer team, based at NovaUCD, through its extensive commercial experience and drawing on its network of industry experts, patent agents and legal experts, supports UCD researchers to commercially exploit their research outputs for the benefit of the University and the wider community. www.novaucd.ie