University Collaboration on Technology Transfer: An All-Island Feasibility Study University Collaboration on Technology Transfer: An All-Island Feasibility Study Contents FOREWORD 03 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 04 SECTION 1 CONTEXT 08 SECTION 2 CURRENT ENVIRONMENT 10 SECTION 3 PROFILE OF THE SECTOR 16 SECTION 4 OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION 19 SECTION 5 EXTERNAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE SECTOR 23 SECTION 6 WHAT WORKS ELSEWHERE 25 SECTION 7 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS 30 APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 METHODOLOGY 35 APPENDIX 2 CASE STUDIES 46 APPENDIX 3 RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS 56 APPENDIX 4 GLOSSARY 58 DISCLAIMER InterTradeIreland, Universities Ireland and the Irish Universities Association are confident that the information and opinions contained in this document have been compiled by the authors from sources believed to be reliable and in good faith, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to their accuracy, completeness or correctness. All opinions or estimates contained in this document constitute the authors’ judgement as of the date of this document and are subject to change without notice. This publication is intended to provide general information to its readers concerning the subject matter of the publication. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive statement of the subject matter of the publication and does not necessarily reflect the views of InterTradeIreland. While care has been taken in the production of the publication, no responsibility is accepted by InterTradeIreland for any errors or omissions herein. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS InterTradeIreland, Universities Ireland and the Irish Universities Association would like to thank Technology & Research Services (Heriot-Watt University), the universities across the island, North and South, and the consultees who participated in the research, for their assistance with the development of this report. FOREWORD There is a growing recognition of the importance of the role that At a time when both research investment and research outputs universities play in economic development, and governments in in the two jurisdictions have grown exponentially, the universities Europe, North America and Asia are now providing support to on the island, which are small by international standards, translate the results of research in higher education institutions continue to have very different ways of delivering IP management into outcomes that benefit the economy and society. and technology transfer. This report endorses the developments already taking place within the universities. The time has come to This timely report makes a number of recommendations as to look seriously at how we might achieve significant added value how the universities on the island, North and South, might work by undertaking at least some of these activities collaboratively. In together to strengthen and extend the capability of technology the US this has been happening for many years. In the UK groups transfer services in the third level sector. Clearly the universities of universities like the White Rose consortia and IP2IPO have on the island have different structures for the delivery of come together on a regional basis to work with business and intellectual property management and technology transfer. build knowledge transfer activities. However there are common challenges which face all of us: notably the need to exploit our research output successfully and This report provides some clear signposts for mutually beneficial to promote, market and sell our research-led technologies and collaborative action between universities on the island of Ireland intellectual property. in this vital area, and outlines an implementation plan for how this necessary process might begin. Universities Ireland As the report points out, the environment in which universities welcomes its publication and looks forward to working with operate is undergoing rapid and significant change, with other agencies such as InterTradeIreland and the Irish Universities governments providing less in traditional block grant funding and Association in taking forward its proposals. urging the higher education sector to be more competitive in attracting private sector finance and selling its services to business. In this climate of greater competition, the universities are increasingly asking themselves the question: How can we do better at exploiting the bright ideas that are being generated in our libraries, lecture rooms and laboratories and, where appropriate, Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh bring them to the marketplace to the benefit of our economies as a whole? Chairman, Universities Ireland President, National University of Ireland Galway Back to Contents Page 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This feasibility study, commissioned by InterTradeIreland on behalf Core Recommendations for Universities Ireland of Universities Ireland and the Irish Universities Association, examines the potential for collaborative activity in the area of Intellectual 1 Joint Marketing Property (IP) management and technology transfer by the • establish a strategy and policy task force on joint universities on the island of Ireland. This report provides some technology marketing, drawn from Technology Transfer initial recommendations on how the universities on the island, professionals and appropriate communications North and South, might work together to maximise the benefits professionals. The task force should have the remit to of exploiting the output of their research activity and proposes develop and cost a comprehensive marketing strategy, mechanisms to achieve collaboration and co-operation. working with external stakeholders where appropriate. The universities are an important element in economic This was recognised as the primary initial area for collaboration. development on the island, North and South. There has been Promotion of the university research base on the island, North significant investment in research in both jurisdictions and there and South, building on the expertiseireland.com website, can only is now a need to optimise the exploitation of the results of that be beneficial to the universities and to the economic growth of investment in a consistent way. The environment in which the the island. This combined with support for market research would: universities operate is undergoing considerable change and significant steps have been taken recently at both national and • Raise the profile and establish the position of the institutional levels in both jurisdictions to support and develop IP universities and the island as an R&D powerhouse management and exploitation in the universities. As a result of • Provide a vehicle for the marketing of technology, this, and of their history, each university is at a different stage of services and facilities evolution in its ability to undertake the exploitation. However, all face the need to exploit the research output successfully and all • Provide a common platform for addressing the face particular, and similar, issues in marketing and selling multi-national company sector technology and IP. • Improve the perceptions of stakeholders and the The data was collected by a series of surveys of institutions, business community both on the island, North and Technology Transfer professionals and external stakeholders, South, and worldwide plus consultative meetings with Technology Transfer professionals. A project Steering Group oversaw the project. More detail on the • Inform policy by elucidating common strengths and methodology is given in Appendix 1. positions There are 2 core recommendations for the universities which are • Provide a common platform for lobbying policy outlined overleaf. The detailed recommendations are provided in development, particularly at European level on R&D section 7 and are grouped around: and Innovation policy • Joint marketing • Facilitate technology take up from the research base by companies • Expert professional input into policy and strategy • Enable technology bundling for marketing purposes • Training & entrepreneurship This group’s remit would incorporate the more detailed • Campus company support recommendations in Section 7 of the report. • Interaction with the Venture Capital community 2 Expert Professional Input to Policy & Strategy • Accessing external professional services • establish a sub group of Universities Ireland comprising • Shared expertise Directors to advise Universities Ireland and the VPs for Research & Innovation on IP management and • Technology bundling technology transfer policy issues, with an agreed remit • Single funding stream in Ireland1 which would include matters at European level. • agree the level of support to be provided to AURIL- Ireland, and the reporting mechanisms. The expertise of the group would provide the practical professional advice required to inform policy and strategy developed by the VPs. Where an approach was required or a policy development occurred which applied to only one jurisdiction, this would be addressed by forming a sub-group on an ad-hoc basis. 1 Ireland refers to the Republic of Ireland. Back to Contents Page 4 This sub-group would:- 2 A university President/Vice-Chancellor should chair meetings of the marketing strategy and policy task force. The chair would • Advise the VP groups and thus the Presidents/ provide regular reports on progress and bring forward to the Vice Chancellors VPs/Directors group any requirements for decisions on issues • Act as the consultative point for all the external of principle. stakeholders