Science on demand: Online platform to assist start-up companies

A new ‘science on demand’ online platform has been developed that allows companies and scientists to book expertise, lab space and equipment outside their institution.

The announcement comes from Clustermarket, who in partnership with Merck Accelerator, has launched the UK's first online marketplace for scientists. The launch of the marketplace will potentially enable grassroots scientific research and provide wider access for those in life sciences.

The ‘science on demand’ online platform allows UK science administrators, experts and institutions to rent out their technologies, equipment, software, infrastructures and services direct to start-up companies and innovators – initially with a focus in life sciences.

The Clustermarket platform is intended to make research and development in the life sciences industry more affordable and less time consuming. Start-ups may benefit the most from the platform, finding it easier to breakthrough with new developments and initiate research, previously made difficult due to high costs.

Clustermarket co-founder and CEO Johannes Solzbach said: “Before Clustermarket, a scientist who required a mass spectrometer (a piece of equipment most commonly used in life science research) would have had to pay up to half a million GPB on top of other equipment needed. Through Clustermarket they now have access to this type of equipment on demand, thereby enabling more research and removing barriers to entry. We are proud to be the frontrunners in the democratisation of scientific research, which traditionally has had its reins held by massive institutions and corporations. By launching Clustermarket today we have initiated change in the research process, making it faster and affordable, and creating a better outlook for all in the industry by providing a platform for collaboration and innovation.”

Merck Accelerator commented: “We are delighted to partner with the UK¹s first sharing platform for life sciences via our Accelerator program. The partnership enables Merck to support the grassroots of scientific research – an area which traditionally has held large financial barriers to entry due to the expensive costs of acquiring lab equipment and expertise. We are confident the partnership with Clustermarket will enable a whole new shared economy and unprecedented access for life science research, in turn fostering new levels of breakthrough and understanding."