Technology transfer

• Technology transfer


  The process of transferring scientific findings, research developments, and technological innovations from one entity to another
• Technology transfer


  • Often this is from a research institution (university) to commercial or social enterprises
  • Involves the dissemination of knowledge, intellectual property management, collaboration, and the creation of start-ups/spin-outs, licensing agreements, or sale of IP
  • Helps to ensure that innovations reach the market and contribute to economic and social progress
• Key components of technology transfer

  • Commercialization bridge
  • Intellectual property management
  • Partnerships and licensing
  • Start-up incubation
  • Economic development
• Commercialization bridge


  Technology transfer serves as a bridge between academic research and commercial application, facilitating the transition of innovative ideas and discoveries into real-world products and services
• Intellectual property management


  Involves managing intellectual property generated through research, such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks, commercialise university innovations
• Partnerships and licensing


  Universities collaborate with industry partners to license technologies, allowing companies to further develop, manufacture, and market products
• Start-up incubation


  Creation and growth of start-up companies based on university research, providing resources like funding, mentorship, and facilities to nurture entrepreneurial ventures
• Economic development


  Contributes to economic development by fostering innovation, creating jobs, and driving economic growth through the commercialisation of research-driven technologies
• Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs)


  Help to translate research into commercial or practical outcomes
• Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs)


  • 'Research, Innovation, and Translation' (RIC) unit or Knowledge and Technology Transfer (K&TT) teams at The University of Melbourne
• TTOs are a liaison between researchers and industry
• Technology Commercialisation Cycle


  1. Research

  2. Pre-disclosure

  3. IP Disclosure

  4. Assessment

  5. IP Protection

  6. Marketing

  7. Licensing

  8. Commercialisation

  9. Revenue Distribution

  10. Reinvestment
• Assessment of intervention


  • Impact potential: Why is it new and different?
  • Market opportunity: Does it solve a real-world problem?
  • IP position: What is the nature of the intellectual property? Has it been disclosed, including being published?
  • Tech Development: Where is it in development, does it have proof of concept or supporting data?
  • Ownership and Rights: Who are the creators/inventors?
• Patents


  • A right that is granted for any device, substance, method or process that is new, inventive and useful
  • A legally enforceable right to commercially exploit the invention for the life of the patent
  • It excludes others from making, using or selling your invention
  • Granted by a government body e.g., IP Australia
  • A temporary monopoly is granted by the government in exchange for a disclosure of a secret that will benefit the public
• Requirements of IP (Is the IP patentable?)

  • Must be novel - invention must not already be known or exist anywhere in the world (including prematurely disclosing details of the invention publicly)
  • Must be Inventive - invention must include an inventive step which is not obvious to someone who is skilled in the particular field
  • Must be Useful - invention must have utility, that is it must be capable of being made into something as claimed or used to solve a particular problem
• Research commercialisation pathways


  • University spin-out
  • Staff start-up
  • Unincorporated joint venture
  • Licensing agreement
  • Assignment Deed / Sale of IP
  • Fee-for-service consulting
  • Paid external work
  • License or assignment of IP to academic's private company
  • Social enterprise (not always for commercial return e.g., not-for-profits)
• Partnering with established companies

  • Have relevant experience in developing technology and established channels to market
  • Have deep pockets and can afford to take financial risks
• University spin-out company


  • New company established and controlled by the university
  • Partially/fully owned by the university
• Staff start-up company


  • New company founded and run by inventors, not controlled by the university
  • Part ownership between university and inventors. Usually 'pre-revenue' for many years
  • Aim is usually to be bought-out by established company upon clinical or financial success
• Licensing Agreement


  • An agreement by which the owner of the IP (licensor) gives permission to another party (licensee) to use the IP in exchange for financial benefits and other benefits
  • License will define the conditions that have been agreed upon in relation to field of application, geographic region, extent of exclusivity, the period for which it is granted, and performance obligations
• Assignment Agreement


  An agreement whereby the licensor transfers IP ownership to the licensee, usually in exchange for financial benefits