UC Riverside has sealed an MOU with incubator Murrieta Genomics to drive its genomics research and build links between the innovation ecosystems of both parties.

University of California (UC), Riverside joined genomic sequencing incubator Murrieta Genomics on Friday to agree a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will help commercialise its genomics research. UC Riverside’s Research and Economic Development Office will work alongside Murrieta Genomics to support researchers and entrepreneurs targeting genomics applications in healthcare, agriculture and other areas of social importance. UC Riverside researchers across various genomics studies will partner with Murrieta Genomics to help them solidify potential commercial use-cases for their innovations. The MOU will serve as a formal framework to protect UC Riverside in the partnership as its intellectual property is developed. On the other side of the deal, Murrieta’s resident startups will have access to UC Riverside faculty through the latter’s enterprise support office, Epic SBDC, with a view to fostering fresh genomics collaborations. Murrieta Genomics will also signpost services from Epic SBDC to startups in its incubator. Epic SBDC is an affiliate of small business support network America’s SBDC. Founded in 2017, Murrieta Genomics’ incubator houses a genomic sequencing lab and bench space for the benefit of fledgling companies. Murrieta also financially backs resident startups that have impressed through its program, which includes assistance validating their business model and science. Jay Goth, co-founder of Murrieta Genomics and a former entrepreneur-in-residence at UC Riverside, said: “UC Riverside is a virtual gold mine of IP in the genomic area. We have had initial discussions with several researchers and scientists at the university and are very excited to bring our network of industry leaders and entrepreneurs to the commercialisation process.” Rosibel Ochoa, associate vice-chancellor for technology partnerships at UC Riverside, added: “The Murrieta Genomics team has built a genomic sequencing laboratory and assembled a strong advisory board to help researchers turn projects into companies. “This is a critical ingredient needed to spur advances in genomics from lab to market. As a leading agriculture and biomedical research organisation we want to encourage partnerships that can address today’s challenges.”

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