Commercializing Research Outcomes: Persistence is Key

Some lessons from the UK’s experiences in technology transfer and commercialization may serve as valuable references for universities and research institutes aiming to find effective pathways for commercializing research and transferring technology.

In April 2024, we had the opportunity to observe and learn about technology transfer and commercialization activities in the UK through a program organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering and funded by the British Embassy in Vietnam. This program included visits to three universities—Cambridge, Southampton, and University College London (UCL)—as well as meetings with representatives from U.S. accelerator programs, technology transfer offices (TTOs) from Portugal and the Netherlands, and discussions with various program managers at the Royal Academy of Engineering.

While comparisons between the UK and Vietnam may not be entirely fair due to differences in academic environments and socio-economic conditions, some lessons learned during the program can still be useful references for universities and research institutes in Vietnam seeking to commercialize research and transfer technology effectively.

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The UK's Vision: The ICURE Program

The Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURE) program in the UK is an initiative aimed at facilitating the transfer of technology and research from universities to the market. Funded by Innovate UK (a national innovation agency under the UK Department for Science and Technology) and implemented in collaboration with universities and research organizations, ICURE focuses on three primary goals:

1. Commercializing research: Assisting university researchers in turning their findings into commercializable products and services.
2. Training and support: Providing researchers with training and support in market approaches, business planning, and attracting investment.
3. Building industry connections: Creating links between researchers, businesses, and investors to facilitate the deployment of new technologies.

ICURE has proven to be a vital tool for promoting the commercialization of research and technological development in the UK, enhancing the country's economic competitiveness through innovation.

Unlike typical university TTOs, which primarily focus on existing research and its commercial potential, ICURE supports even nascent ideas as long as the researchers are committed to creating outcomes that extend beyond academic publications and generate public impact. While ICURE may seem similar to incubators, it differs significantly because its target audience is researchers whose technologies are often groundbreaking and not yet available in the market. These researchers, accustomed to publishing and teaching, face a steep learning curve in stepping outside academia to engage in business-related activities.

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ICURE Program Tiers

ICURE offers four levels of engagement tailored to the maturity of ideas and researchers:

1. Engage (4 weeks, £2,000 funding): For postgraduate students and technicians exploring commercialization opportunities and potential beneficiaries of their research.
2. Discover (4 weeks): Encourages participants to delve deeper into market needs and practical applications of their technology.
3. Explorer (12 weeks, full-time, £35,000 funding): Helps researchers test their hypotheses by engaging with potential customers.
4. Exploit (12 weeks, full-time, £20,000 funding): Supports teams aiming to spin out a company, with potential follow-up funding of up to £200,000 for development.

For researchers, stepping out of their academic comfort zones to join ICURE and undertake unfamiliar tasks can be challenging. However, many, like a team from the University of Cambridge, have reported transformative experiences. By interviewing customers, redefining their initial concepts, and continuously iterating on their ideas, participants gain new perspectives on their research.

ICURE has proven to be a vital tool for promoting the commercialization of research and technological development in the UK, enhancing the country's economic competitiveness through innovation. 

Unlike typical university TTOs, which primarily focus on existing research and its commercial potential, ICURE supports even nascent ideas as long as the researchers are committed to creating outcomes that extend beyond academic publications and generate public impact. While ICURE may seem similar to incubators, it differs significantly because its target audience is researchers whose technologies are often groundbreaking and not yet available in the market. These researchers, accustomed to publishing and teaching, face a steep learning curve in stepping outside academia to engage in business-related activities.

ICURE Program Tiers

ICURE offers four levels of engagement tailored to the maturity of ideas and researchers:

1. Engage (4 weeks, £2,000 funding): For postgraduate students and technicians exploring commercialization opportunities and potential beneficiaries of their research.
2. Discover (4 weeks): Encourages participants to delve deeper into market needs and practical applications of their technology.
3. Explorer (12 weeks, full-time, £35,000 funding): Helps researchers test their hypotheses by engaging with potential customers.
4. Exploit (12 weeks, full-time, £20,000 funding): Supports teams aiming to spin out a company, with potential follow-up funding of up to £200,000 for development.

For researchers, stepping out of their academic comfort zones to join ICURE and undertake unfamiliar tasks can be challenging. However, many, like a team from the University of Cambridge, have reported transformative experiences. By interviewing customers, redefining their initial concepts, and continuously iterating on their ideas, participants gain new perspectives on their research.

 

Perspectives from Universities

University of Cambridge: Fostering Organic Connections

As a leading global university with a reputation for exceptional research, Cambridge’s approach to commercialization is surprisingly deliberate and slow-paced. Instead of aggressively pushing spin-offs or spin-outs, Cambridge fosters an ecosystem where connections between academia and industry develop naturally.

However, this “organic” process is strategically encouraged. Faculty members are urged to engage in consultancy services, building trust between the university and industry. Cambridge provides robust support, such as allowing faculty to use the university’s brand for consulting, facilitating contract agreements, and offering insurance coverage for consulting services. This generous approach is minimally monetized by the university, emphasizing relationship-building over immediate financial gain.

One example is Cambridge’s collaboration with LEGO. Initially seeking consultation on childhood studies, LEGO recognized the research’s value and subsequently funded the PEDAL Centre (Centre for Research on Play in Education, Development, and Learning) at Cambridge, showcasing how consultancy can evolve into impactful partnerships. 

University College London (UCL): Leveraging Strengths

UCL, another top-tier research university in the UK, established UCLB, a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to transferring university research to society. While UCL owns UCLB and determines profit allocations, UCLB operates independently, focusing exclusively on commercialization. This autonomy allows for a more agile and market-oriented approach, avoiding bureaucratic hurdles.

UCLB concentrates on two key areas of strength: cell and gene therapies. Its notable successes include:

• Freeline: A spin-out developing therapies for genetic diseases.
• Orchard: Acquired for nearly $500 million for its gene therapy innovations.
• Achilles: A company specializing in tumor-targeting immunotherapies, now publicly traded.

UCLB’s commercialization philosophy emphasizes collaboration with researchers to explore potential pathways for their technologies, requiring active participation in processes like patent discussions and investor negotiations. 

University of Southampton: Industry Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Networking

Southampton’s Innovation Hub is a science park supporting high-tech businesses and startups with state-of-the-art facilities funded entirely by industry partners. The university emphasizes demand-driven research and provides a mentoring network to help researchers commercialize their findings.

Southampton also collaborates with other top universities (e.g., Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Surrey) through the SETsquared initiative, supporting high-tech startups and scaling efforts.

One example of Southampton’s foundational research impact is Sir David N. Payne’s pioneering work in photonics, particularly fiber optics. His contributions underpin the internet and environmental sensing technologies, demonstrating how core research can drive societal advancement. 

Conclusion

To foster an effective ecosystem for technology transfer and commercialization, patience and persistence are essential. As Steven Schooling, Executive Director of UCLB, said:
"It took us 30 years to create meaningful impacts from our research. Change doesn't happen overnight, especially when it involves policy adjustments. Understanding both risk management and the imperative to create long-term value is crucial for devising short, medium, and long-term strategies."

In the UK, research impact is no longer measured solely by publications but also by contributions to economic, social, cultural, and policy domains. University TTOs play a pivotal role in extending research benefits beyond academia, even when immediate financial returns are minimal.

The lessons and practices from ICURE and leading UK universities provide valuable insights for building a robust ecosystem for research commercialization and societal impact. 

1 The author participated as a representative of an incubation and acceleration program from Vietnam, under KisImpact Social Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Source: https://tiasang.com.vn/doi-moi-sang-tao/thuong-mai-hoa-ket-qua-nghien-cuu-can-kien-tri-ben-bi/

Reference: https://www.uclb.com/about/technology-transfer-your-questions