Scientists at Oxford University who want to commercialise their discoveries have been given a 300,000 Government boost, writes David Duffy.

Oxford was one of ten research centres to share a 2.1m handout to encourage the bio-science industry.

Dr Tim Cook, managing director of the university's intellectual property company Isis Innovation, said: "This will expand our activity in the setting up of new biotech companies.

"There are 2,500 researchers in the university and we have only nine project managers. I believe we are still not maximising the benefits from the research."

He said the money, from the Department of Trade and Industry's Biotechnology Challenge fund, meant they would also be able to help non-university researchers.

Three new project managers and two administrators will be employed to help scientists set up new companies and interest investors in their discoveries.

Dr Cook added: "At the moment we are setting up about six new companies a year. This money could well increase this number to ten. Isis is developing so rapidly that it's hard to keep up with the change."

Competitiveness Minister Alan Johnson said: "These awards are a further acknowledgement of the strength of research in our science base, the unique opportunities for development and exploitation and the creation of dynamic start-up companies, with will deliver the products of the future.

"By building on our proud achievements, these awards will create new innovative biotechnology products and processes by new successful bioscience companies." Two years ago, Oxfordshire's pioneering biotech incubator centre at Littlemore won 400,000 from the challenge fund, plus an equal amount from business sponsors.

The BiotechNet centre at the former hospital is now fully occupied.