The University celebrated a proud moment as three of its Health and Life Sciences innovations were shortlisted for the 2025 Bionow Awards.
Bionow Project of the Year (sponsored by Waters)
The MAID Hub (Microbiome: Accelerating Innovation and Development), led by the University’s Microbiome Innovation Centre, is transforming the Liverpool City Region (LCR) into a UK hub for microbiome science in partnership with CPI. As a flagship project within the LCR Life Sciences Innovation Zone project (part of the Government’s national Investment Zone Programme), MAID provides end-to-end support for businesses and organisations seeking to de-risk and accelerate microbiome and phage therapeutics to market.
Through scientific consultancy, access to cutting-edge technology, a strong partnership network and a rich range of guidance relating to funding, regulatory, IP, manufacturing and more, MAID will position Liverpool as the place where life science innovators thrive.
Bionow Partnership & Collaboration Award (sponsored by Mills & Reeve)
The University and Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland have formed a transformative partnership to enhance health outcomes and promote prosperity across the LCR and beyond. At the heart of this is the Healthcare Charter Partnership, uniting 20+ NHS, government, industry, and community partners to advance biomarkers, digital health, and laboratory automation across the Region. A key part of this collaboration is the EYE-CAN-AID Bioresource, led by Professor Sarah Coupland. Built on a 14-year eye cancer biobank, it links clinical, radiological, histological, and genetic data from England’s three specialist centres, enabling faster, more precise, and personalised diagnosis and treatment.
Be part of the Charter Partnership: Organisations across the Liverpool City Region, including businesses, charities, and public sector bodies, are invited to join this growing collaboration. Contact us to learn how you can get involved.
Bionow Investment Deal of the Year (sponsored by Bouygues Energies & Services, Industry)
LYVA Labs nominated this award for its investment in OCUWELL®, a University spin-out developing affordable, handheld eye-diagnostic technology to tackle global vision loss. The company’s first product combines the OCUTOP® scanner with OCUGRAPH® analysis software, providing high-resolution imaging and advanced visualisation tools to help clinicians assess and treat conditions such as myopia more efficiently.
Winners will be announced 5 March, 2026. Congratulations to all nominees, and best of luck at the awards!
Information for University of Liverpool Staff:
As a Bionow member, University of Liverpool staff can access a range of benefits — check out our intranet to find out more.