CAPACITY BUILDING IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) play a crucial role in the commercialization process of public research. They act as intermediary organizations, bridging the gap between academia and industry, thus enabling knowledge transfer for societal benefit.
TTOs are often involved in various knowledge and technology transfer activities such as collaborative research, consulting, spin-offs and start-ups, licensing, and patenting.
The selection of knowledge transfer strategies varies depending on the nature of the transferred knowledge, such as its disciplinary origin, innovative nature, and the balance between tacit and explicit elements involved.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have traditionally focused on education and research. However, in recent decades, increasing importance has been given to knowledge transfer to the private sector and society in general, designated as the “third mission.”
To support the commercialization process of research outcomes and overcome the various challenges involved, ANI supports TTOs in developing new collaboration strategies with researchers by conducting market studies, monitoring industry developments, leveraging external networks, and utilizing internal resources to identify technologies with commercial potential.
ANI fosters a range of intensive capacity-building actions and expert guidance to support TTO members in the process of assessing the commercial potential of Intellectual Property (IP) assets and creating an IP Portfolio.
Identifying inventions and technologies with commercial potential
Identifying inventions and technologies with commercial potential is a fundamental step in building and managing an IP Portfolio. This involves working with researchers and other stakeholders to identify and evaluate technologies that have the potential to be developed into products or services that can be sold in the market. To develop this capability, several workshops are organized to support:
- Collaboration with researchers: Strategies for working with researchers to identify technologies with commercial potential, including holding regular meetings and promoting innovation competitions or tech showcases.
- Conducting market studies: Techniques for conducting market studies aimed at identifying areas or sectors of interest and opportunities where technologies developed by HEIs can be integrated.
- Monitoring industry developments: Strategies for tracking industry and technology developments, including attending industry conferences and subscribing to sector publications.
- Promoting external networks: Techniques for leveraging external networks and relationships, such as industrial partners, investors, or other universities.
- Utilizing internal resources: Strategies for utilizing internal resources, such as “technology scouts” or innovation consultants, to identify technologies with commercial potential.
By participating in these workshops, TTOs gain important knowledge and skills that can be used to identify inventions and technologies with commercial potential, thus building their IP Portfolios.
ANI provides access to one-on-one mentoring with experts with deep knowledge of the industry and market trends to support TTOs in identifying inventions and technologies with commercial potential.
Assessing the commercial potential of each Intellectual Property (IP) asset
Identifying inventions and technologies with commercial potential is a fundamental step in building and managing an IP Portfolio. This involves working with researchers and other stakeholders to identify and evaluate technologies that have the potential to be developed into products or services that can be sold in the market. To develop this capability, several workshops are organized to support:
- Patent application process: An overview of the patent application process, including how to conduct a patent search, draft a patent application, and utilize the National and European Patent Offices.
- International IP Protection: An overview of the international IP protection process, including topics on obtaining and maintaining IP rights in multiple countries and protecting IP in cross-border transactions.
- Technology licensing: An overview of the technology licensing process, including identifying potential licensees, negotiating and drafting license agreements, and managing licensing relationships.
- IP Commercialization: Strategies for commercializing IP assets, including the importance of due diligence in IP for investment decision-making—covering how to identify and assess IP assets, evaluate the validity of IP rights, and mitigate IP-related risks.
- Evaluating the Commercial Potential of IP Assets: In-depth analysis of the process for evaluating the commercial potential of IP assets, including formats for consulting with industry experts, conducting market studies, and identifying potential revenue sources.
- Commercialization of IP assets: Strategies for IP asset commercialization, including licensing, joint ventures, and spin-off companies. This will also cover key considerations for negotiating and drafting effective licensing agreements..
- Marketing and promotion: Effective marketing and promotion strategies for intellectual property assets, including identifying target markets, developing marketing materials, and leveraging social media and other digital platforms.
- IP asset evaluation: An overview of the process of evaluating intellectual property assets, highlighting how to conduct patent searches, assess the strength and validity of intellectual property rights, and use financial models to estimate the potential value of assets.
ANI provides access to one-on-one mentoring sessions with experts to support TTOs in their efforts to identify inventions and technologies with commercial potential and assess the commercial potential of each IP asset. These experts can provide valuable insights into the demand for products or services based on the IP assets of HEIs, as well as the competitive landscape in relevant markets. This information is essential for determining the commercial potential of each IP asset and developing effective commercialization strategies.
The mentoring process can also offer guidance on conducting market studies, identifying potential revenue sources, and developing a comprehensive commercialization plan. The expert knowledge and guidance provided can help TTOs better understand the industry and market and consequently make more informed decisions on how best to commercialize their assets.
Intellectual Property (IP) Portfolio
The IP Portfolio gathers intellectual property assets such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets owned by HEIs. The goal is to provide a global view of HEIs’ IP assets and help TTOs effectively manage and commercialize these assets.
ANI supports TTOs in building the IP Portfolios of their respective HEIs, which involves working collaboratively with experts to create a model tailored to each HEI’s specific needs.
- Working with designers: Focuses primarily on creating a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate layout for the IP portfolio. Elements to be considered include easy navigation, clear and objective formatting, and the use of graphics and other visual tools to help convey information.
- Working with experts: Emphasizes the content of the portfolio, specifically the type of information to include, best practices for organizing and presenting information, and any specific requirements for managing IP portfolios in relevant sectors or markets. Expert guidance is especially important for evaluating the commercial potential of IP assets and understanding the competitive landscape in relevant markets.
Communicating the value of the Intellectual Property (IP) Portfolio
ANI promotes Open Innovation Challenges, an effective way to support the commercialization of research and technology and encourage collaboration between researchers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders. This initiative also offers an opportunity to identify new business ventures and build lasting relationships. Partner companies in the Open Innovation Challenges present problems or challenges they face, and HEIs are challenged to present, based on their IP portfolio, a technology to solve them.
A panel of experts, including representatives from the company, the HEI, and independent experts, is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the proposals. The winning solution receives funding and support to work on the specific project with the company.
These challenges are an important tool for promoting collaboration between HEIs and industry. They provide an opportunity for companies to share the problems and challenges they face. This allows HEIs to present the technological solutions they have developed and specialized knowledge to potential partners.
For companies, it is a way to access cutting-edge technologies and HEI research, which can help solve their problems and drive innovation. Promoting these challenges can lead to the creation of new products, services, and companies, benefiting society and the economy as a whole.