Innovation and business partnerships at the University of Warwick have been recognised in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) assessment.

The KEF, produced by Research England, allows universities to better understand and improve their own performance in knowledge exchange. It provides businesses and other users with more information to help them access world-class knowledge and expertise within universities across the UK.

The KEF groups institutions into ‘clusters’– institutions with similar characteristics such as how much research they do and in what subject areas. Warwick is in Cluster V, which is described as “very large, very high research intensive and broad-discipline universities undertaking significant amounts of excellent research.”

The KEF results place Warwick in the top 20% for its strong engagement with businesses and the community. This ranking is especially notable when compared to other leading research-intensive universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.

Warwick also performed strongly in IP and commercialisation and research partnerships and was placed in quintile 4 (high engagement) for both these areas.

Speaking about Warwick’s success in the KEF, Professor Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor and President said:

“Anchored within our local community, we strive to be good neighbours and a positive force both locally and regionally.

"We take great pride in supporting and championing our communities and the wider region. For decades, we’ve collaborated closely with local businesses and industries, generating jobs, opportunities, and investment in the West Midlands, while establishing a world-class reputation for innovation.

"Today’s KEF results reflect the difference and impact we have made to our region – and that’s something I know the whole of the university will be very proud of”.

An example of Warwick’s success in working with business is its partnership with Jaguar Land Rover, who work with Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), signing a £100 million partnership agreement with Warwick in 2019.

An example of Warwick’s success in IP and spin out companies is Medherant. Founded as a spin out company by Warwick’s Professor David Haddleton, Medherant is pioneering research into transdermal drug delivery patches.

Working together with Warwick academics and local business, Medherant recently made headlines across the world for the upcoming UK clinical trial of their ground breaking testosterone replacement patch to help people in the menopause and perimenopause. The patch, when approved, would be the only testosterone replacement patch available globally to be used alongside other hormone replacement therapies.

To read Warwick’s full results in the latest KEF please click here.