Technology Transfer Offices Research Articles

The Role of Supporting Factors on Patenting Activities in Emerging Entrepreneurial Universities

Academic patenting has become an important part of the university-industry collaboration and technology transfer but few studies have investigated the institutional frameworks and organizational incentive and support structures in terms of patenting activity. This article, therefore, seeks to fill this gap by examining institutional and infrastructure supporting factors and the impact that they have on university patenting within an emerging economy higher education system, namely Turkey. The analyses use logit regression to test a set of hypotheses on a large-scale sample of Turkish universities. The findings highlight the positive role of supporting factors on a university's patenting performance, acting complementarily to the role of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs). This article will be a guide for managers and practitioners to use supporting factors complementing the activities of TTOs in emerging economies in increasing patent applications. Finally, this article highlights future research directions and limitations of the research.

Tool for assessment of the green technology transfer structure in Brazilian public universities

This article presents one analysis of the management of green technology transfer within the context of Brazilian public universities. The study aimed to evaluate the existing practices and identify areas for improvement in the dissemination and absorption of environmental technologies. The research methodology employs an applied and exploratory approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. The study applied a tool specifically designed to assess and support technology managers in the green technology transfer process. This tool incorporates eleven dimensions, including People, Process, Budget, Relationship, Integrated Management, Research and Development (R&D) in Green Technologies, Intellectual Property, Valuation, Commercialization, Environment, and Society. To analyze the effectiveness of the developed tool, a diagnosis was carried out in the Brazilian scenario. The survey identified and evaluated 413 university-registered groups that are actively involved in green research. The collected data were analyzed using statistical techniques such as Pearson's linear correlation coefficients, multivariate analysis, and factor analysis. The findings highlight several gaps and challenges in the green technology transfer process. These gaps present opportunities for improvement and call for universities to develop strategic measures to address them. Collaborative efforts with Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and research groups within the institutions are also crucial in bridging these gaps. The study concludes by urging universities to adopt strategies that focus on reducing identified gaps and promoting sustainable collaboration between academia and industry in the field of green technology transfer. Overall, this research points to the current state of green technology transfer management in Brazilian public universities, providing valuable insights and recommendations for enhancing the process and driving sustainable innovation in the country.

How to effectively communicate university patents: a framework based on signalling theory

ABSTRACT University patents are a critical tool for firms seeking to gain information from universities. However, the potential of this tool is frequently constrained by ineffective communication and commercialisation strategies. University patents must be successfully advertised and disseminated to third parties to have an impact outside academia. In this scenario, inventors, universities, and technology transfer offices (TTOs) (which manage their patent portfolios) are encouraged to increase their efforts to promote and communicate patents. This article uses signalling theory to examine the key features of university patents that influence the investment or acquisition decisions of entrepreneurs and investors. Our findings can help TTOs, inventors, and universities strengthen their patent communication and commercialisation strategies, and also help third parties secure more successful university patents.

Brazilians technology transfer offices: processes’ performance and effectiveness

Considering relations between universities and the productive sector, the Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) fundamentally foster innovation. In the technology process, transfer TT) since they are responsible for studies of prospecting and competitive intelligence and their protection in intellectual property (IP). The present study aims to identify the effectiveness of TT processes as a measure of the performance of Brazilians Science and Technology Institutions (STIs) TTOs considering their technology, innovation promotion policies and intellectual property protection. It regards qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research with a multiple-study method. The data was collected through documentary research and semi-structured interviews with three groups of actors already participating in TT processes: researchers, TTO managers, and company managers. Through the triangulation of data, data triangulation these institutions still need to have adequate adherence to the models of business innovation management used by the local productive sector and need more bidirectional planning. Despite the advancement of the scope and quality of services offered by TTOs and the amounts of technology contracts, there has been an extensive effort to improve the communication channels and promote innovation by identifying factors that contribute to and hamper the promotion of change in the Ceará' scenario, the characteristics that group STIs in different stages of maturation were detected.

Outsourcing university research commercialization to a sophisticated technology transfer office: Evidence from Australian universities

A better understanding of how university technology transfer can be effectively achieved is critical for increasing the impact of academic research and driving innovation and economic growth. Considering this and the rapidly growing public policy attention on university-generated technology transfer, we provide evidence on the effect of outsourcing commercialization tasks on technology transfer performance. Using both qualitative and data-driven methods, we find that universities which outsourced to an established tech-transfer office of another university saw a greater opportunity for academics to engage with research commercialization and experienced a short-term increase in the capture of new discoveries and provisional patent filings. However, with respect to the more popular indicators of successful commercialization, patent applications, granted patents, license deals, and start-ups created, we find no evidence of an increase. Post-outsourcing we see evidence of a sustained advantage in some technology transfer activities, indicating a learning effect from engaging with a more experienced tech-transfer office.

A Decision-tree Approach to Stratify DLBCL Risk Based on Stromal and Immune Microenvironment Determinants.

A Decision-tree Approach to Stratify DLBCL Risk Based on Stromal and Immune Microenvironment Determinants.

The Pathway towards Triple Helix

Abstract In 2015, the Ethiopian government established two Science and Technology (S&T) universities with the objective to boost university-industry collaboration. Although both Addis Ababa S&T University and Adama S&T University encourage such collaboration through their offices of technology transfer (OTT), their links with local industry are weak. However, current literature on triple helix in developing countries does not explain how universities can internally stimulate interaction with external actors. This paper addresses this gap by asking how the two universities evaluate the technology development process and how the current approach can be improved to stimulate triple helix interactions. Insights from organizational control theory (OCT) and the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) evaluation model are integrated into the triple helix framework in a qualitative case study design. Our findings indicate the existing approach combines outcome- and behavior-based evaluation, which constrains engagement with the industry. We recommend that a more comprehensive, people-based evaluation system, built around shared goals and involvement of industry as external stakeholders, is adopted as a pathway to triple helix.

Technology Transfer Offices: a Systematic Review of the Literature and Future Perspective

Technology Transfer Offices: a Systematic Review of the Literature and Future Perspective

Technology Transfer Agency in India

Transfer of technology is defined as “a logical procedure that controls the transfer of any process together with its documentation and professional expertise between development and manufacture or between manufacture sites” • Technology transfer is both integral and critical to the drug discovery and development .Technology of transfer may be defined as a mutually agreed upon, intentional, goal-oriented, and proactive process by which technology flows from an entity that owns the technology (the transferor) to an entity seeking the technology (the transferee). Government of India is in the verge to open Technology Transfer Offices, Universities, institutions which will be funded by central government and will acts as mechanism for transferring or exporting the research conducted and its outcome to the desired place. Examples of technology transfer can be found across virtually every scientific and industrial area, from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to alternative energy solutions, computing, transport, artificial intelligence, robotics, agriculture, aerospace, environmental improvements and many more.. To overcome these limitations, the four levels of knowledge and technology transfer are suggested: Technology transfer can be broadly classified into vertical and horizontal technology transfer. Vertical Technology Transfer– This chain of transfer includes basic research to applied research, applied research to development, and from development to production. It is also known as internal technology transfer. Technology transfer is a process to transfer information and technologies necessary to manufacture quality drug product consistently or technology transfer is the process of taking an invention from its inception in a laboratory to a commercialized product.

Offering technologies for innovation: strategies and challenges

PurposeThis study aimed to analyze the strategies and challenges related to technology transfer (TT) in technology transfer offices (TTOs), specifically regarding actions to offer technologies in their portfolios.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative research used a multiple case study based on interviews with TTO managers from seven Brazilian public Science and Technology Institutions (STIs): University of São Paulo (USP), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Paulista State University (UNESP), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) and Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ).FindingsSTIs that invest more resources in their portfolio’s active offering and marketing are more successful in TT than STIs with a passive strategy. Although this active strategy has grown in importance, there is a disparity among Brazilian TTOs as some are still passive in commercializing their intellectual property. This research also highlights the need for clear policies to overcome obstacles related to legal uncertainty for researchers who wish to undertake projects as entrepreneurs using the intellectual property of STIs.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study cannot be generalized since its conclusions are limited to the studied institutions. However, the outcomes indicate some interesting matters for managers of STIs, public policymakers and TT researchers.Originality/valueLiterature on marketing and innovation related to TT between research institutions and companies in developing countries is still limited. Thus, this research contributes to generating knowledge in the field and improving TTOs.

Expired patents: An opportunity for higher education institutions.

Patent protection typically lasts about 20 years from the filing date and is in exchange for sufficiently disclosing the invention. The disclosure aims to enrich technical knowledge globally, promote creativity and technological innovation and contribute to sustainable socio-economic development. After this protection period, the patent expires, and in principle, any person may begin practicing the specific subject matter previously protected by the patent. Since the invention originally met all the patentability requirements, it was disclosed sufficiently to stimulate further innovation by others through a thorough understanding of existing developments in the patent literature. Thus, in addition to scholarly research articles, this makes patents potentially valuable sources of technical information in research and academia, unlocking new technology opportunities. We use the exploratory research method to study a potentially genuine and vital research stream that uncovers the overlooked yet valuable scientific and technical information sources that higher education institutions could utilize to complement academic research articles. This work establishes a necessary research agenda that critically challenges researchers to tap into the immediately available and promising technology opportunities presented by patents in the public domain. Using case studies to gain in-depth, multi-faceted explorations about the impact of these patents, we find that technologies contained in expired patents, abandoned patents, and technologies not protected by IPRs, resulting in improved research quality and increased collaboration with industry, if adequately exploited and integrated with other technologies. Moreover, this could lead to increased academic patenting and commercialization with support from the university's Technology Transfer Office.

Sistema para la articulación de elementos claves en los procesos de transferencia tecnológica en los países latinoamericanos

The paper proposes a technology transfer system for Latin American countries based on the Latin American model of technology transfer and the digital information obtained. Theoretical methods are used taking into account the analysis of qualitative information, quantitative data is required from the number of specific digital access documents. The Latin American model of technology transfer shows the need to establish technology transfer projects and offices, to which is added a monitoring of the transferred results. It was confirmed that Higher Education Institutions need technological surveillance observatories to evaluate changes, trends and possible transformations in the implementation of technology transfer processes and systems. In conclusion, Latin American countries could develop new models or systems of technology transfer emphasizing changes in the relationship system between the key elements, in particular the University and the business sector, and include the technology transfer offices as an articulating entity between the two.

Exploring the Role of U.K. Government Policy in Developing the University Entrepreneurial Finance Ecosystem for Cleantech

Vast sums of public money are invested into universities globally as anchor institutions and knowledge bases providing seedbed resources for research and development and entrepreneurship. Focusing on university science and technology research we examine two U.K. case studies of government support from the “Innovation Knowledge Centre” (IKC) program to translate research into industry innovation for public good. Although IKCs are not tasked to address climate change, the two case studies demonstrate tremendous potential for Cleantech development. An exploratory entrepreneurial finance (“entfin”) ecosystem theoretical lens contextualizes the catalytic roles of universities and public funding to support industry at the base of the innovation finance escalator. We thus develop university-industry ecosystems literature, addressing the gap in nurturing university entfin for climate change. Our qualitative case study methodology includes literature review and 51 key informant interviews with: policymakers; university research leaders, technology transfer officers, specialist research to industry innovation “translation” staff, SME beneficiaries, trade bodies; and early-stage private finance providers. We reveal nuances in different emerging innovation sectors—notably their degree of maturity, locality, and outcome horizons for achieving impact, drawing attention to the key roles of universities and financing and their interactions within their entfin ecosystems. We demonstrate the need for government long horizon, deep pocket, investment, and integrated university entfin policy mix, alongside more open, inclusive, ecosystem development between different actors.

A multi-criteria decision framework for IP valuation method selection: “Valuation case” matters

This paper explores the applicability of IP (Intellectual Property) valuation methods in the university TTOs context by using multi-criteria decision-making frameworks. The IP valuation methods are evaluated for their usage in university IP and Startup valuation, patent or patent-pending technologies, and different Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Data was collected through in-depth structured interviews and a Delphi survey with 17 experts. By descriptive analysis of responses and consensus rates, we proposed a combined multi-criteria decision-making model of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for university Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) to be utilized in selecting appropriate IP Valuation methods. Findings reveal that more than one method should be used to make well-supported estimates for patent value. DCF method is the most suggested method. Income methods are most favourable on University IP, Startup's IP, non–patented or patent-pending, TRL 1–6 technologies. Findings can help valuation practitioners, especially from TTOs, design roadmaps for IP valuation.

Technology transfer as a catalyst for effective university-industry collaboration in Botswana

The university-industry contractual research collaborations to solve complex problems jointly and create social and economic impact have long existed. Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) constitute formal technology intermediaries established to strengthen university-industry collaborations. However, the differences in needs and capabilities, individual and organizational backgrounds, and innovative learning modes inhibit effective partnerships. We develop a conceptual framework that explains how TTOs can catalyze these collaborations in Botswana. We use the grounded theory approach to examine the TTOs’ challenges and opportunities in strengthening university-industry linkages. Notably, we employ inductive analysis to synthesize interview data and analyze it using domain analysis and componential analysis. Data were extracted from the university and industry policies and documents and interviews with 102 participants from two universities (42.2%) and three industry firms (57.8%) involved in technology transfer. We found 71.6% had excellent knowledge and experience and 28.4% had varying degrees of experience. While individual or independent consultancies (44.1%) lead, TTOs facilitate collaboration through contractual research agreements (32.4%), technology licensing (22.5%), and joint ventures (10.8%). This demonstrates entities' significant access to each other's financial and technological resources. This allows entities to generate new knowledge, equip each other with tools and competencies required to produce commercial products and new revenue streams. Most significantly, while Botswana has displayed remarkable progress toward strengthening its institutional support systems for technology transfer and commercialization, there is a shortage of IP expertise at universities and industries, possibly leading to low levels of IP awareness. Also, most institutions have incomplete IP strategies, and there is inadequate administration and enforcement of intellectual property rights systems at the national level, possibly contributing to low national IP filings. Therefore, we recommend entities fully engage in vigorous IP activities, review and finalize their IP policies and make them flexible yet equitably based on the needs of the collaborating industry firms.

Informal university entrepreneurship: The missing link in transition higher education systems

This article probes the transition of an emerging higher education system into the entrepreneurial model. Tunisia’s alignment with the European Bologna Process reforms in 2008 was meant to ease graduates’ transition to the job market through enhancing their employability skills as well as injecting them with an entrepreneurial proclivity to mainstream self-employment as a worthy career path. Several measures were introduced across public universities, including a transversal entrepreneurship module and a corresponding entrepreneurship support structure of technology transfer office and incubators. North’s new institutional lens will be used to frame the discussion analytically. The article goes beyond such formal interventions and particularly looks into the informal aspects of the newly-assumed entrepreneurial identity of Tunisian higher education. Following a scoping review approach informed by PRISMA-ScR guidelines, it investigates some informal matters on the shop floor to ascertain the extent to which the new identity has been established more than a decade after the introduction of the reforms. It looks into the profile of the purpose-hired teaching staff entrusted with delivering the cross-curricular entrepreneurship module; students’ and academics’ networks and rapport with the staff of the recently-established support structure; as well as their openness to the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem. Empirical findings from the scoping review suggest a misalignment between progressive formal measures on the one hand and, on the other, a persistently unconducive university environment structured along deep-seated collegial values and quite decoupled from the realities of its national ecosystem.

Introduction to an agile framework for the management of technology transfer projects

Technology transfer offices play a valuable role in protecting and commercialising intellectual property developed at universities, for social and economic benefit around the world. University College London (UCL) Business Ltd is a technology transfer office that commercialises technology arising from the world-renowned research at UCL.PRINCE2 and agile approaches are amongst the popular choices of project management methodologies, however current frameworks are rigid and do not work very well within the technology transfer space, specifically in the biotechnology sector, due to the unpredictable nature of the projects. More organisations are adopting a flexible approach to delivering projects and becoming more agile in their management style. In a translational environment specifically, having a flexible response to change is highly encouraged. Current agile frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban, work extremely well within the IT and engineering-based projects, however for technology transfer projects (TTPs) they are slightly out of scope or too rigid in their methodology. An alternative agile framework is proposed to better suit the biotechnology sector and academic-research environment. This focuses on the breakdown of the project plan in separate work-packages, to manage the deliverables in separate development cycles using a system that splits the management into three gears based on the type of work and the length of time required to reach the deliverables within the project plan. This allows for the management of projects in stages against the original project plan, which in turn de-risks the project in stages. This framework is proposed as an alternative project management tool for biotechnology TTPs within a technology transfer office as well as the biotechnology industry.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PERSPECTIVES: THE KU LEUVEN CASE STUDY

The technology transfer office (TTO) is central to the Belgian university KU Leuven Research and Development (LRD) department, and is commendable with respect to the challenges of technology transfer. Together with the current industrial revolution, the case study focuses on a contemporary problem with several dimensions. Background is provided on philosophical perspectives, academic power, technology transfer platforms, and technology readiness. The exemplary characteristics of KU Leuven and evidence of impressive artefacts obtained through personal observation of the LRD are presented. Essentially, the case study explains the primary functions of a multidisciplinary TTO for effective technology transfer to ecosystems, with platforms such as the library, university hospitals, and others. Keywords: technology readiness, technology transfer, technology transfer office, technology transfer platforms

Managing technology transfer and university-industry linkage in a developing country: empirical evidence from Nigeria

Knowledge institutions are key drivers of national competitiveness. The expectations from these institutions now include knowledge transfer to support industrial development. To coordinate these efforts, technology transfer offices (TTOs) become a plausible strategy. In Nigeria, these offices are mandated to manage intellectual property assets, create IP awareness, and engage industry for research uptake. This paper provides a baseline assessment of how TTOs have performed in Nigeria, including key challenges confronting them. Primary data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Results show that IP sensitisation, IP strategy promotion, and collation of completed and ongoing R&D outputs were prominent activities of these offices. Industry visitation and technology open day strategies were deployed to promote technology transfer. Some TTOs performed better than others in IP asset creation, while five of them reported six spin-off products. The paper concludes with key challenges confronting them and proposes appropriate policy recommendations for effective management.

University technology transfer: assessment of invention disclosures by technology transfer offices

University technology transfer: assessment of invention disclosures by technology transfer offices