Agilent and Imperial

The partnership between Agilent Technologies and Imperial College London serves as a prime example of how industry-academia collaborations are evolving.  

Rather than a traditional and simplistic funding arrangement, this unique model is focused on a shared-access infrastructure and technology validation. Agilent has equipped the university’s Molecular Sciences Research Hub with its latest analytical instruments, creating the Agilent Measurement Suite. 

This state-of-the-art facility provides Imperial’s researchers, students, and external partners with access to cutting-edge tools they might otherwise be unable to afford. The suite features a wide range of sophisticated equipment for chemical and biological analysis, including mass spectrometry, chromatography, and cell analysis systems. This hands-on access empowers scientists to accelerate their research in fields like clinical diagnostics, new materials, and pharmaceuticals, with over 100 projects undertaken using the equipment in the first three years since it was launched.  

For Agilent, the partnership provides a living laboratory for real-world product demonstration and validation. The company receives invaluable feedback from expert users, which directly informs the development of their next generation of instruments. It’s a symbiotic relationship that fosters a community of innovation, proving that a partnership built on shared resources and mutual benefit can be far more impactful than a simple financial transaction. This approach helps to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application, accelerating the pace of scientific discovery for everyone. 

The close working relationship, supported by dedicated professionals in the Enterprise Division, ensures that research is not just theoretical but is directly applicable to industry challenges. It provides a model for how companies can access cutting-edge research, nurture future talent, and drive innovation in a structured and effective way.