HR Training & Development Programme 2017 KTO Presentation Helping staff and students with Industry Collaboration & Research Commercialisation Nicola Camilleri Angele Patiniott
Overview The Knowledge Transfer Office Who we are (Key activities & Fit with UM structure) Areas of Support: Industry Academia Collaboration, Research Commercialisation & Protection of Intellectual Property Key milestones & examples of active UM projects How Support Staff can help Students & Staff Quiz Tour of Dar GuzeppiZahra The University s Knowledge Transfer Hub
Getting to Know the KTO & Our Areas of Support
KTO Staff Director- Anton Bartolo Senior Executives - András Havasi, Michelle Cortis Executive -Nicola Camilleri(Part time) Administrative Officer - Angele Patiniott Senior Legal Executive Ruth VellaFalzon(part-time with Legal Office)
The Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) has a skilled and experienced team that actively works to provide advice and assistance in areas related to: Technology Transfer and Protecting Intellectual Property(IP) Collaborations with Industry, and Funding for Proof of Concept and Commercialisation
How do we fit in? Rector www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer Consultancy (MUHC) ZAAR Crowdfunding Spin out companies TAKEOFF Start-Ups COMMERCIAL Knowledge Transfer Office Research Commerci alisation (Tech Transfer) Postaward Industry- Academia Collaboration Proof of Concept Funding (TOSFA/MaRSA /FUSION) Legal Office IP Unit TAKEOFF Business Incubator Finance Office Project Support Preaward ADMINISTRATION Int Office RSSD Research Funding ERDF/ ESF Work Placements Degree Plus Centre for Entrepreneurshipand Business Incubation (CEBI) ACADEMIA
Tech Transfer & IP Protection
Technology Transfer is about managing and commercialising Intellectual Property (IP) But what is Intellectual Property?
In a nutshell IP comprises Productions of the mind: Creations Ideas Inventions Knowledge owned by somebody IP is an intangible asset to which one has rights and for which one may apply for protection. Forms of protection: Patent - Design - Trade Secret Trademark - Copyright - Know-how
One product - many IP rights Trade marks NOKIA Product "208" Start-up tone Patents and utility models Data-processing methods Operating system Operation of user interface Copyright Software User manuals Ringtones Start-up tone Images Nokia Corporation Designs Form of overall phone Arrangement and shape of buttons Position and shape of screen Trade secrets Some technical know-how kept "in-house" and not published EPO/OHIM Intellectual Property Teaching Kit - IP Basics 10
IP Cont Knowledge, Creations, Ideas, Inventions = Intellectual Property Like physical property, IP can be can be: owned sold assigned (free or for a fee) shared (free or for a fee) rented (in the case of IP = licensed) Over the years laws have been enacted to define the RIGHTS associated with IP
IP in a University context Universities are Centres of Knowledge: Lecturers exchangetheir knowledge with students (lectures, notes, slides, know-how) Researchers (including students) createnew knowledge (knowledge factory) The library is a repository of knowledge (knowledge bank) The Knowledge Transfer Office helps to transfer knowledge outside University (e.g. to industry, to government, etc.)
Confidentiality Often, commercially valuable IP must be kept confidential Important to safeguard IP rights PROTECT BEFORE YOU PUBLISH Students and staff are bound by confidentiality, but need to be made aware External examiners or other third parties may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement (template available KTO s website) Keeping confidentiality may require embargo of dissertations (mark dissertation as confidential) Good practice o Notify recipients o Notices in labs o Notices in dissertations and other materials
Copyright Guidelines Copyright belongs to the author for up to 70 years after death/publication Cannot copy/use without permission with some exceptions Key question: are UM staff affecting the copyright owner s economic benefit? A student would like to publish dissertation: Obtain Faculty Board approval Library Copyright Guidelines and FAQ link: www.um.edu.mt/library/library_a-z
The KTOs Protecting University IP University staff and students may generate IP with commercial value KTO mainly works to take commercially valuable IP to market The University s IP Policy outlines academics and researchers rights, obligations and benefits o University owns IP, with some exceptions o University shares 50% of net profits with originators o If not interested in pursuing commercialisation, can assign back to originators IP Policy: www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/quicklinks/ippolicy
How Universities can exploit IP R&D Invention disclosure Licence agreement IP management Assignment (sale) Evaluation Exploitation IP protection Spin-out
Evaluation Process Understanding technology, how it is different from state of the art and what the benefits are Patent/IP search to assess whether it exists Market research o Competing products o Companies who could be interested in buying technology o End users/customers o Regulatory restrictions / reputational risks o Size of market Type of protection and cost Freedom to operate search
Key Milestones Tech Transfer Key Milestones Key Figures Examples of UM s Active Projects
Key Milestones 2009 Launch of Corporate Research and Knowledge Transfer Office 2009 First Maltese Patent Granted Method and system for resolving traffic conflicts in take-off and landing 2011 First University of Malta Intellectual Property Policy published 2011 Funding obtained for European Structural Funds project Creating a Knowledge Transfer Framework and Technology Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2011 First International Patent Granted (GB) Method and system for resolving traffic conflicts in take-off and landing 2014 TAKEOFF Business Incubator launched (now under CEBI) 2016 First company spun out from UM by KTO - Biotech Innovations Ltd.
Tech Transfer Some Key Figures Active Tech Transfer projects: 57 Number of disclosures in 2016: 22 Patents: Applications 10 Malta, 39 International (16 families) Granted 7Malta, 8International (5families) Designs: Registered 1 Malta, 17 International (6 families) Granted 1 Malta, 9 International Most active projects listed on KTO portal: www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/technology
Bilingual Assessment Tool A speech and language assessment tool targeting bilingual children in Malta who speak Maltese and/or English. Consists of flashcards, an examination sheet and a manual Collaborating with the FEMA and Faculty of ICT to make the tools available on an online platform Collection of data from clinicians for further research
Solar Powered Catamaran Environmentally friendly cleaner air and less noise pollution Reduction in maintenance costs Can sell electricity to the grid when the vessel is berthed Final sea trials planned for the coming months Licence the boat out
Re-Stone Construction and demolition waste into building materials Customisable and improved features Available for licensing and co-development Weathering tests Water-resistance Customised reinforcement
UltrawideBand Antenna http://www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/technology/uwbantenna Sensitive to an extremely wide range of frequencies Exceptional range, resolution and field of view May be printed on flexible material, low manufacturing cost Planar design, so compact and low profile UK Patent granted, S. Africa patent pending Applications in SKA, telecoms, military 7/27/2017 www.um.edu.mt/knowl edgetransfer 25
Breast Cancer Detection Kits Improved testing for HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer Eliminates ambiguity, faster, smaller biopsy needed, price competitive Spin-out company (Biotech Innovations Ltd) created to develop testing kit Patent protection in process Other testing kits under development www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/technology/breastcancerdetection 7/27/2017 www.um.edu.mt/knowl edgetransfer 26
Recap: KTO s Role in Technology Transfer Manage UM s Commercial Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio, and register for new IP rights Commercialise IP, primarily through licensing and start-ups Promote the identification, protection and exploitation of commercial IP amongst UM staff Provide support and advice with matters related to IP and Commercialisation Maintain and update the University IP Policy
Industry Academia Collaboration
How UM Collaborates with Industry Collaborative R&D Joint applications for funding Licensing of existing UM technology Study and work placements (DegreePlus) Donations (RIDT) Consultancy / Laboratory Services (MUC/RSSD) 7/27/2017 www.um.edu.mt/knowl edgetransfer 29
Collaboration with Industry cont. KTO links academics to external organisations & vice versa Encourages updating of academics Research Interests & Personal Profile for match-making Assists in maximising benefit in relationships with industry Sets up contacts & contracts
The KTO can assist academics with Finding partners from industry Putting confidentiality agreements in place before holding discussions (depends on type of IP being brought to the table) Assisting to identify and apply for funds for proof-of-concept and industry collaboration
Some of our Collaborators
MUC manages the following Business Lines (amongst others) that link UOM to industry and supports UOM Staff to offer: Consultancy Services Academics offer their knowledge/expertise to work on R&D projects/studies/ tenders/eu projects for industry or public entities at an extra financial remuneration Laboratory Services Lab officers/academics carry out chemical, physical, electrical, mechanical tests for industry Professional Development Courses Training Courses offered to the Professionals/Corporates/General Public by UOM staff Contact: Dr Ing. Alexia Pace Kiomall Email: alexia.pacekiomall@muhc.com.mt Telephone: +356 2340 8903 Address: Room 212, Level 2, Dar Guzeppi Zahra, University of Malta Website: www.muhc.com.mt
Placements Scheme Student Placement Scheme Webpage Internships (Inhouse & External) o Inhouse: Faculties, Institutes, Centres, Schools etc, TAKEOFF startups o Coordinate with KTO & Inform HR esp if internships are against remuneration o External: Industry Not only summer placements Placements are advertised on our website and Degree+ Facebook page Support staff are instrumental in disseminating information to students Creating internal links between the KTO & Faculties, Institutes etc Link to the UM student placement website: www.um.edu.mt/placements
Funding for Proof of Concept and Commercialisation
Obtaining Funds The KTO can assist academics with: Proof-of-concept funding (TOSFA and MarSA) Funding for university-industry collaborative projects (e.g. Malta Enterprise Feasibility and R&D Schemes) Prospecting Pre-award Post-award Results
What else goes on at Dar GuzeppiZahra? Source: Google images
Our Neighbours TAKEOFF business incubator o On-campus space, meeting rooms, internet o Mentoring for growing business and raising funds o Takeoff.org.mt CEBIoffers support to TAKEOFF entrepreneurs and various entrepreneurship courses including the MEnt ZAAR Crowdfunding Platform o Donation/reward-based way to raise funds o Zaar.com.mt
How Support Staff can help (Students & UoM Staff)
How Support Staff supports us Scenario 1 Company posts placement for students Students apply for placement Students graduate with better skills, more employable! FOs help to promote placements with their students Scenario 2 Academic and student develop IP of commercial value With help of KTO, IP is evaluated and protected IP is commercialised and results in a new product/service FOs direct academic/student to KTO FOs bind external examiners by confidentiality (NDA) and guide student to embargo dissertation
How Support Staff Support us cont Help spread the culture Refer new and existing staff & students to the KTO s website Refer staff and students to the IP Policy o www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/academicstaff/ippolicy Encourage academics to keep their UoM profile updated Students are at a loss for a dissertation title: refer them to the KTO For further assistance: o Knowledgetransfer@um.edu.mt o www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/supportstaff
knowledgetransfer@um.edu.mt www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer