Delivering Impact with Software Commercialisation
17th January 2025
Oxford University Innovation (OUI) has made significant strides in research commercialisation, creating over 300 spinout companies based on research and ideas from students, staff, and alumni. Many of these companies are based on patented Intellectual Property (IP)and software from University of Oxford labs.
The relatively less glamorous side of commercialisation, but equally effective, is the licencing of copyrights to companies engaged in research and product development. OUI has been able to create high impact through non-exclusive software licencing to companies. These software products are developed by academics across the University.
Below we discuss three notable examples of software commercialisation by OUI, focusing on the impact they create and the benefits these innovations bring to companies and academics through licencing. These software products make direct contribution to Research Excellence Framework (REF) and they support in research in other Universities via fee academic licences.
Virtual Assay Software
Virtual Assay software, developed by the Computer Science Department at the Oxford University significantly reduces the need for in vivo (animal) testing in drug discovery.
This cutting-edge software has been licensed to several large pharmaceutical companies, enabling faster drug discovery and optimisation. By streamlining research processes, these companies save resources and accelerate the development of life-saving medications.
Based on decades of research at the University, the Virtual Assay leverages advanced computational models to predict biological activity, replacing costly and time-consuming lab experiments.
The software also plays a crucial role in minimising reliance on animal testing by providing highly accurate computational simulations to predict biological activity. Animal testing remains expensive, time-intensive, and ethically contentious, further emphasising the importance of this innovative technology.
SAbBox -Structural antibody prediction Software
Researchers in the Oxford Protein Informatics Group (OPIG) at the University of Oxford have developed a suite of freely available databases and predictive computational tools to assist in the discovery and development of antibodies for use as therapeutics. These innovative tools are collectively packaged into the SAbBox software suite.
The SAbBox software suite has been licenced through OUI to over 40 companies worldwide and is being used by several universities under free academic licences. This impactful software assists life sciences companies in enhancing their antibody therapeutic development pipelines by reducing costs and accelerating the delivery of new therapeutics.
A key case study demonstrating the impact of SAbBox technology is its integration with the IGX platform developed by the Dutch company ENPICOM.. ENPICOM enables scientists to apply advanced computational algorithms to analyse high-throughput sequencing data within a scalable and intuitive environment. This integration unlocks new antibody discovery workflows, such as conducting structural analyses of proteins of interest and annotating key liability characteristics, which help identify antibody candidates with strong developability potential. The ongoing research work by Oxford Protein Informatics Group at Oxford resulted in 71 patent applications in different parts of the world, all citing the use of SAbDab-SAbPred tools.
FMRIB Software Library
FMRIB Software Library (FSL), a powerful tool for neuroimaging research, offers advanced tools for analysing brain images. Developed by the University of Oxford, FSL provides a comprehensive suite of analysis tools for functional, structural, and diffusion MRI brain imaging data analysis. Companies licensing FSL-FMRIB gain access to cutting-edge algorithms, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. Beyond financial benefits, the societal impact is profound – improved brain imaging contributes to a deeper understanding of neurological disorders, leading to better patient outcomes and significant scientific progress.
The FSL Software has been licensed to over 50 companies worldwide, creating measurable economic and societal impact. Biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical imaging companies benefit from FSL’s robust tools for drug development, clinical trials, and diagnostic imaging. Many researchers and academics utilise FSL in neuroimaging studies to explore brain function and investigate neurological conditions.
Oxford University’s commitment to software commercialisation delivers wide-reaching benefits. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, these innovations fuel economic growth, advance scientific discovery, and improve quality of life. All software products, including FSL, are available for commercial licencing through OUI. Academic colleagues across universities worldwide can access these tools under free academic licences.
Words by Sandeep Singh, Principal Licensing and Ventures Manager
Press release sign up
