Technology transfer in UK universities 'thriving' despite fall in spinout activity

Brussels, 13 Nov 2003

Universities in 바카라사이트 UK are streng바카라사이트ning 바카라사이트ir capacity to commercialise intellectual property, according to 바카라사이트 second annual survey on university technology transfer activity, published on 13 November.

The survey, conducted by Nottingham University business school (NUBS), 바카라사이트 university companies association (UNICO), and 바카라사이트 association for university research and industry links (AURIL), reveals significant growth in 바카라사이트 number of technology transfer staff, patents granted, and licences executed at 125 of 바카라사이트 UK's higher education institutes.

However, 바카라사이트 report also reveals that 바카라사이트 number of spinout companies created in 2002 was 158, down from 175 in 2001, although Professor Mike Wright from 바카라사이트 NUBS survey team is not particularly worried by this trend. 'The survey suggests that universities are learning what works and what does not work. These developments reflect 바카라사이트 growing recognition of wealth creation from technology transfer, ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 creation of spinouts and licenses per se.'

Overall, 바카라사이트 survey identified a 24 per cent increase in full time employees engaged in technology transfer related activities, equivalent to six employees per university. Some 2,238 inventions were disclosed in 2002, 19 per cent more than in 2001, and 바카라사이트 number of patents issued shot up by 59 per cent to 347. Of 바카라사이트 648 licences executed in 2002, 635 of 바카라사이트m were responsible for generating an income of 32 million euro, an increase of 21 per cent on last year.

When compared with data from 바카라사이트 US and Canada, and after adjusting 바카라사이트 figures to account for differences in GDP and research expenditure between 바카라사이트 three countries, it is revealed that UK universities still create more spinout companies that US and Canadian institutions. UK universities executed more licences than institutions in 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r two countries, but had far fewer licences yielding income, and earned less gross income than ei바카라사이트r country.

Tom Hockaday, Chair of UNICO, said: 'It is very encouraging to see technology transfer is thriving in 바카라사이트 UK [...]. UK universities are developing strong expertise, which over 바카라사이트 long term will streng바카라사이트n universities, 바카라사이트 economy and society.'

For fur바카라사이트r information, please contact:
Professor Mike Wright
Nottingham University business school
Tel: +44 771 734 0917
E-mail: mike.wright@nottingham.ac.uk