Programme Speakers
Rich Ferrie
Dr Rich Ferrie is Head of BioMedical IP commercialisation at the University of Manchester Intellectual Property Ltd (UMIP). In this role he is responsible for identifying, protecting and commercialising all BioMedical IP arising from the University of Manchester’s two BioMedical Faculties. His team comprises 3 Venture Managers, 2 Licensing Managers and 2 Commercialisation Executives. UMIP has a strong record of IP commercialisation which has resulted in a number of high profile biotechnology businesses and licensing deals with major international companies. He joined UMIP’s predecessor company, Manchester Innovation Ltd in May 2000 after 11 years in various scientific and commercial roles with the diagnostics business of AstraZeneca/Zeneca/ICI culminating with his role as Head of Sales and Marketing.
A Biochemistry graduate (Sussex), Rich gained a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Reading. After a short period of post-doctoral research with the UK Forensic Science Service, Rich continued his work developing DNA fingerprinting technology for the Cellmark business unit of ICI Diagnostics. In 1991, Rich was appointed Technology Development Manager with responsibility for developing a platform of proprietary genetic technologies with diagnostic applications and is an inventor on 4 international patent applications. This work enabled the development of the first commercially available DNA-based cystic fibrosis diagnostic which was widely adopted. Between 1994 and 1997, Rich took a senior Business Development role developing commercial collaborations and relationships with businesses internationally, with a particular emphasis on the USA. From 1998 he established and led the Sales and Marketing department of Zeneca Diagnostics and was responsible for the inception and commercialisation of the ELUCIGENETM product range.
