An option to acquire rights in university intellectual property (“IP”) may be encountered in several guises: as a stand-alone agreement, as a clause within an agreement (e.g. a sponsored research agreement or a material transfer agreement), or as a ‘pipeline’ (or ‘IP framework’) agreement in the context of a university spin-out company.
In 2015, PraxisUnico (as was) commissioned Research Consulting to conduct research among our members in order to understand better the experiences, workload and professional development needs of staff working in the field of Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation (KEC). This was the first time that we had conducted this type of survey (although Unico had conducted salary surveys in the past).
PraxisUnico/AURIL submitted a response to the Reid Review of Government Funded Innovation in Wales at the end of June 2017. Our purpose in contributing to this Review was to underline the importance of maintaining a professional, skilled network in research institutions that can help to stimulate innovation, productivity and growth; locally and nationally for economic and social benefit and with a wide range of external stakeholders.
PraxisUnico and AURIL welcome the Industrial Strategy Green Paper and in particular the Government’s recognition of and commitment to science, research and innovation as the first strategic ‘pillar’.
PraxisUnico submitted this reponse to the UK Government's National Innovation Plan in May 2016. In it we highlight the contribution of the research base through innovation, commercialisation and collaboration; underlining the importance of personal and institutional relationships at local, national and international levels.
PraxisUnico and AURIL made a joint submission to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee Inquiry 'Managing Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer' in September 2016. PraxisUnico was subsequently invited to appear in front of the Committee on 2nd November 2016. Dr Phil Clare, Chair of the Advocacy Committee, was our representative.
PraxisUnico responded to the House of Commons Science & Technology's 2012 inquiry into research commercalisation. The Committee had identified the difficulty of turning research into commercial application - particularly the lack of funding in the so-called 'valley of death' - as a recurring issue in previous inquiries.
PraxisUnico commissioned this national survey of KEC practitioners and Higher Education institutions in late 2015, to explore the roles and experiences of KEC professionals and the institutional environments in which they work.
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Coventry University have found a new way of engaging with business which delivers highly skilled work ready graduates for the local area, and has secured millions of pounds of investment from local UK business through the application of high impact research through strategic partnerships with brands such as Aston Martin, Ford and Unipart. It was shortlisted in the “Contribution to Business” category in the Impact Awards for Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation Professionals 2015.