The Technology Strategy Board has launched its new £45 million Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst funding programme,  to help UK businesses and researchers turn industrial biotechnology research into commercial products.

The programme is funded jointly by the Technology Strategy Board, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The Board says the market for industrial biotechnology-related products in the UK could be as large as £12bn by 2025.

 There are five funding streams in the Catalyst, ranging from early-stage translation of UK research into potential new products or services, to demonstrating the performance of new products and services at a commercial scale.

The programme is now open and inviting applications from business and academic partners. Applicants for the first round of funding must register by 7 May 2014. A second round of funding will open later this year. Deadline for applications are as follows:

• Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst - early-stage - Feasibility studies - closes 14 May 2014
• Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst - Industrial research - closes 14 May 2014
• Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst - late-stage - Pre-experimental feasibility studies - closes 14 May 2014
• Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst - late-stage - Experimental development - closes 14 May 2014
• Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst - early-stage - Translation - closes 14 May 2014

Interested applicants  can either attend or watch the briefing events for the competition, which will take place in London on 3 February 2014 (a webinar will also be available), and in York on 12 February 2014.

Click here for more information.