SIGHT recognised by UK Research and Innovation

LSTM led Sustainable Innovation in Global Health Technology (SIGHT) programme has been recognised in a recent UK Research and Innovation evaluation of Research England’s shared Technology Transfer office (TTO) pilot programme.

Delivered in partnership with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, LYVA Labs, Oxentia and iiCON, SIGHT was highlighted as a strong example of how collaborative technology transfer models can help specialist institutions translate global health research into sustainable and impactful interventions.

Funded through Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund, the pilot brought together expertise in infectious disease and public health to trial a shared TTO and venture-building model designed to accelerate innovation and strengthen commercial readiness. The UKRI evaluation recognised the programme’s role in supporting translational research, developing new approaches to intellectual property and Global Affordable Access policies, and helping ensure that cutting-edge research can be transformed into impactful public health solutions worldwide.

Becky Jones-Phillips, Director of the Enterprise and Innovation Department at LSTM said:
“Through SIGHT, we have demonstrated how collaborative technology transfer can turn research into real-world impact. Tech transfer and translation tend to be the least invested part of the innovation value chain, yet the interface between academia and commercialisation is critical.

“This pilot has raised awareness around translational processes and shown that tech transfer and commercialisation are a critical pathway to impact, rather than a diversion from academic research.
“We also intend to use the shared TTO model to support capacity building with partners in LMICs and emerging markets, helping accelerate the development of accessible global health innovations worldwide.”

Read the full UKRI evaluation report