NSi and its forerunner, Unisearch have sponsored the incorporation of many new start-up businesses during their 45 year history. University spin-off companies are established to facilitate the commercialisation of technologies that can stand alone with a business offering or be used as a vehicle for capital raising.

All of NSi's spin-off companies have ongoing operations, with some seeking further investment. Examples of the companies NSi has established are below:

BioParticle Technologies is a specialty producer of nanomaterials for the pharmaceutical industry, with a focus on pulmonary drug delivery. The company is capable of forming inhalable pharmaceuticals from a broad range of compounds based on BPT's proprietary Atomised Rapid Injection for Solvent Extraction (ARISE) technology.

ARISE converts oral and intravenous drugs into an inhalable form that allows them to be absorbed quickly and directly into the body via the lungs. It relies on super critical fluid solvent extraction, which produces nano-sized particles with aerodynamic properties that allow medications to be breathed deeply into the respiratory system.

The technology has potential applications for asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, influenza, cystic fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) where pulmonary inhalation provides site specific delivery as the primary means of treatment. The global market for chronic respiratory diseases is estimated to be US $10billion and is an emerging high priority area for the development for inhalation based products.

The ARISE technology was developed by Professor Neil Foster and the Super Critical Fluids Research Group at the University of New South Wales, Australia, and is licensed exclusively to BPT.

For more information visit: http://bioparticletechnologies.com/default.aspx

BT Imaging supplies luminescence imaging systems for use in research, product and process development, inline manufacturing inspection, and quality control of silicon wafers, photovoltaic cells and photovoltaic modules. BT Imaging designs and develops its luminescence imaging systems for the photovoltaic manufacturing industry.

The technology was developed UNSW’s world-leading Centre of Excellence for Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics.

BT Imaging’s patented technology uniquely allows real time electronic inspection of every wafer or solar cell processed through a manufacturing line. The company recently released its first product, the LIS-R1, which is entering into beta trials with a select group of global manufacturing leaders of silicon wafer and solar cell. They plan to release a number of inline inspection tools over the next 24 months.

For more information visit: www.btimaging.com

CIMTECH is the joint commercial venture between CIMRAD Australia and UNSW which have jointly developed novel technologies in the areas of skin and bone technology and the effects of aging.

CIMRAD was established in 2003 to commercialize a scientific finding of Dr G Matheson and Professor W. R. Walsh at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Years of further collaborative research between CIMRAD and UNSW developed two platforms of technology. CIMTECH was established as a commercial vehicle to further progress this technology with external investment and industry partnership. In 2009 CIMTECH was awarded a Commercialisation of Emerging Technologies Grant from the Australian Federal Government.

CIMTECH is developing new applications for commercialisation with its partners and offers a great opportunity for shareholders and patients alike

For more information visit: http://www.cimtech.com.au/

Cystemix Pty Ltd is a company formed to make the most of technology from an exciting suite of mitochondrial poisons which have applications as anti-cancer drugs. Phase 1 clinical trials are currently being conducted on the lead compound, GSAO. Developed by Professor Phil Hogg and his team at the UNSW Cancer Research Centre, the venture is now entering a new phase, with a number of collaborations being formed to advance this promising business opportunity.

Digitalcore is the leading provider of digital core analysis services to the oil and gas industry. Commencing business in second half of 2009, the company comprises world-class scientific and engineering talent who collectively have decades of experience in the research and performance of digital analysis of cores. Further, Digitalcore has an exclusive relationship with the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of the New South Wales (UNSW) –pioneers and world leaders in the foundation and development of digital core analysis technology.

An active consortium of 14 of the world’s largest oil and gas companies support research at these universities

For further information visit: http://www.digitalcore.com.au/

Dosimetry & Imaging (D&I) is a private company formed in 2007 to commercialise a breakthrough invention of the University of NSW (Australian Defence Force Academy – Canberra, Australia) scientist Professor Hans Riesen.

The technology is a new radiation measurement system. It comprises a proprietary storage phosphor and a reader technology that has unique competitive advantages in dosimetry (monitoring radiation worker exposure) and medical imaging.

The three major shareholders of D&I are ANU Connect Ventures Pty Ltd (ACN 112 750 464), Australian Capital Ventures Ltd (ACN 091 621 402), and New South Innovations Pty Ltd (ABN 25 000 263 025) the commercialisation company of the University of NSW.

For more information visit: http://www.dosimetryimaging.com/