A COUNTY Durham science and technology park has almost 160 active collaborations with universities at home and abroad.

Simon Goon, managing director of Business Durham, which runs Sedgefield-based NETPark for Durham County Council, said: "This really is evidence that NETPark is doing exactly what it was set up to do – translate first-class research into products that have real social impact, which create jobs and prosperity. That’s innovation at work at its best."

The data shows an average of seven university collaborations per company, including ten with Cambridge, seven with Manchester and 22 with Durham.

Hans Moller, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP's) innovation director, said NETPark was an essential part of its own strategy to make the North-East a European innovation hotspot.

He said: "The fact that companies at NETPark work with so many universities across the country and the world is proof of the North East’s global standing."

Paul Wright, chief executive of the United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA), said: "NETPark has worked hard to harness the research strengths of respected academic institutions from a central location. It is a successful model that I would recommend to other science and technology parks throughout the world."

Prof Brian Tanner, dean for university enterprise for Durham University and chief scientific adviser to NETPark, said: "NETPark tenants obviously recognise that by working with some of the finest minds, not just in this country, but in the world, there will be long term benefits to the sustainability of their businesses."

Many of NETPark’s companies are integrating ground-breaking technology into everyday products – Kromek has developed an array of products in health and security while PolyPhotonix, has developed a sleepmask which can halt blindness associated with diabetes.

It is also home to Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, as well as two Catapult Centres, High Value Manufacturing (managed by CPI) and Satellite Applications.

CPI has already located the National Printable Electronics Centre at NETPark and will site the National Formulation Centre and the National Healthcare Photonics Centre there.

Simon Goon said: "It’s easy to see how NETPark is becoming an innovation powerhouse. Our ambition to create 3,000 jobs and add another £400m to the region’s GVA by 2025 is certainly achievable."