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News headlines from across the Catapult Network. For comprehensive news updates, please explore our Politics Home webpage or visit individual Catapult websites

Satellite Applications

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New Space Enterprise Lab opens at Surrey Technology Centre

A Space Enterprise Lab (SEL) has been launched at Surrey Technology Centre, providing users with access to the collaborative technology, resources and expertise – the latest addition to the Satellite Applications Catapult’s UK wide network. This new site ensures that technology and support are accessible to innovators and businesses based in the site and connected to our other SELs nationwide. This expansion marks a significant milestone in fostering innovation and collaboration using space data and technology, powered locally through the longstanding commitment of the Space South Central, one of the UK’s largest regional space clusters.

Satellite Applications

New Space Enterprise Lab opens at Surrey Technology Centre

A Space Enterprise Lab (SEL) has been launched at Surrey Technology Centre, providing users with access to the collaborative technology, resources and expertise – the latest addition to the Satellite Applications Catapult’s UK wide network. This new site ensures that technology and support are accessible to innovators and businesses based in the site and connected to our other SELs nationwide. This expansion marks a significant milestone in fostering innovation and collaboration using space data and technology, powered locally through the longstanding commitment of the Space South Central, one of the UK’s largest regional space clusters.

Connected Places

Participants from the organisations selected to bring their products to trial, through the Station Innovation Zone

Accessibility innovators chosen for Bristol Temple Meads testbed

Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, the built environment, cities and local growth, announced today that two organisations with rail related technology have been selected to bring their products to trial, through the Station Innovation Zone. The Station Innovation Zone programme is delivered by Connected Places Catapult in partnership with Network Rail and is supported by Innovate UK. The programme aims to reduce barriers to innovation and serves as a showcase where rail technology innovators, buyers and investors can collaborate to shape the stations of tomorrow.

High Value Manufacturing

The statistical foundations for risk-optimal certification by analysis

The traditional ‘make and test’ approach for new products relies on experience, knowledge and large-scale demonstrators to generate certification data. At best, these are prohibitively costly and time-consuming. For some new products, this approach is impossible. Sophisticated simulation is increasingly being used by engineers in place of expensive physical testing and at the High Value Manufacturing Catapult we are accelerating these certification by analysis (CBA) capabilities to reduce the time to market for new products.

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Partnership aims to save lives with energy support for vulnerable households

A new phase of Energy Systems Catapult’s Warm Home Prescription® has been launched in partnership with SGN and Fuel Bank Foundation. Running from December 2024 to March 2026, the initiative takes a proactive approach to protecting those most at risk from the dangers of living in a cold home.

Medicines Discovery

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Medicines Discovery Catapult Wins Bionow Business Support Award

Medicines Discovery Catapult has been named ‘Business Support of the Year’ at the annual Bionow Awards, which took place last night (6 March). Medicines Discovery Catapult is a national Life Sciences service dedicated to turning drug discovery into commercial breakthroughs. The award recognises Medicines Discovery Catapult’s commitment, professionalism, creativity and success in providing specialist support to the Life Sciences sector.

Cell and Gene Therapy

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70% increase in Phase I advanced therapy clinical trials in the UK in 2024

The number of ongoing advanced therapy clinical trials in the UK reached 187 in 2024, an increase of 7% compared from the previous year. This includes a significant approximate increase of 70% in the number of Phase I trials, which grew from 24 to 41. The data is presented in the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult’s UK 2024 Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Clinical Trials Database.

Cell and Gene Therapy

70% increase in Phase I advanced therapy clinical trials in the UK in 2024

The number of ongoing advanced therapy clinical trials in the UK reached 187 in 2024, an increase of 7% compared from the previous year. This includes a significant approximate increase of 70% in the number of Phase I trials, which grew from 24 to 41. The data is presented in the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult’s UK 2024 Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Clinical Trials Database.

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Eleven local innovators seek to solve industry challenges using deep tech

In partnership with Smart Nano NI, a local consortium collaborating to develop game-changing advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing methods to deliver new technologies, Digital Catapult has welcomed eleven companies on a new Technology Access Programme to accelerate the practical application of photonics and future networks for local industry. Led by Digital Catapult, the Smart Nano NI Accelerator Programmes provide startups and SMEs with access to cutting-edge technology and expertise to leverage deep-tech to develop products and services that address complex industry challenges, drive innovation and enhance business competitiveness.

Eleven local innovators seek to solve industry challenges using deep tech

In partnership with Smart Nano NI, a local consortium collaborating to develop game-changing advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing methods to deliver new technologies, Digital Catapult has welcomed eleven companies on a new Technology Access Programme to accelerate the practical application of photonics and future networks for local industry. Led by Digital Catapult, the Smart Nano NI Accelerator Programmes provide startups and SMEs with access to cutting-edge technology and expertise to leverage deep-tech to develop products and services that address complex industry challenges, drive innovation and enhance business competitiveness.

Compound Semiconductor Applications

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£9 million funding boost to bring key semiconductor manufacturing capability to Scotland

A new R&D development designed to support the growth of semiconductor packaging has received a £9 million funding injection, helping to reshore a critical part of the UK’s £500 million electrification supply chain and create new opportunities for manufacturers to access new markets and cut costs.

Offshore Renewable Energy

Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult to work with leading shipbuilder to inform growth in UK vessel manufacturing for offshore wind

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, in partnership with the National Shipbuilding Office and The Crown Estate, have today announced the appointment of leading shipbuilder APCL Cammell Laird to carry out a detailed analysis of the future market opportunity for UK built ships in offshore wind.

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