Matt Parkin joined BioAscent as a KTP Associate in September 2024 to work on a collaborative project between BioAscent and the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation at the University of Dundee. In our latest blog, Matt explains what a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is and the opportunities this brings, as well as what this project is focused on.

Over the last 6 months, I’ve often heard “so what is a KTP exactly?” when I’m asked about my job, and I always say it is the best kept secret in the business world. Founded in 1975, the KTP programme is a collaboration between an academic institution which has knowledge in a specific area, an industrial partner that wants to implement the knowledge into their business to grow and develop it, and an associate which is the person that links the partnership together and drives the project. Funding is provided by Innovate UK which is a subsidiary of the UK government with contributions also from the business partner.  It brings benefits to all three parties, with the business gaining a new technology, product, or service to grow their organisation. The university gets to grow their reputation as a centre for knowledge and delivers research impact by implementing their research in a real-world business setting, co-publishing their research with the business partner and sharing knowledge at conferences. The associate gains experience running and managing an exciting and innovative project and huge personal development opportunities.

In my case, the KTP partnership is between BioAscent and the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation (CeTPD) at the University of Dundee. We are looking to develop new methodologies for high-throughput targeted protein degradation drug discovery with the end goal of generating new methods that can accelerate progress in this new and exciting drug modality and enable BioAscent to offer this as a service in their portfolio to new and existing clients.

Much like everyone else, I had no idea what a KTP was until I applied for the role, with not much emphasis put on marketing the benefits of KTP projects into the wider world. My role is unique in both organisations as I have a foot in each camp, meaning I have two sets of colleagues, two emails, two calendars and two bosses, which can be a bit of a juggling act at times! However, in my experience by bridging both academia and industry it gives me the best of both worlds, with a very wide base of people to reach out to if I need advice, lots of other activities to gain exposure to such as guest lectures, academic group meetings, and problem sessions, and exposure to the inner workings of each environment. This has helped me to hugely grow my professional network and to boost my knowledge base in not only the chemistry which the project is developing, but on drug discovery as a whole.

Of course, I can’t mention KTPs without the amazing opportunities they bring for the associates. All KTP projects get a generous travel and consumable budget meaning that associates can attend events and purchase things required for their project. However, what really sold it to me was the budget dedicated solely to the associate’s development. This is in addition to a two-part residential course in project management which was so useful to me to apply the skills I’d learnt in real life! With my KTP I get a budget to spend on myself and my personal and professional development, with endless amounts of courses, conferences and books available to me. For me, I have used some of my budget on developing my management and leadership skills with a level 5 diploma by the Chartered Management Institute and a course on medicinal chemistry.

If there are businesses out there looking to grow and develop a new product or service, I would really recommend considering a KTP because you not only get the expert knowledge to aid you in your journey, but you are giving so much to the associate who can run and manage their own cutting edge project that has real life and tangible benefits.  On the flip side, if there are young people or people considering a career change and you see a KTP that is up your street, do apply! The benefits and opportunities are enormous and, as it has with myself, kickstarted my career ahead.

For more information on BioAscent's KTP with the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation (CeTPD) at the University of Dundee, please click here.