NovaUCD Leading the Way as Knowledge Transfer Ireland Publishes 2023 Annual Survey Report
Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) has today published its latest Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey (AKTS), a comprehensive report on knowledge transfer activities in Ireland for the year 2023. It provides valuable insights into the progress and trends in Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem. The findings underscore the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in driving economic growth and fostering innovation.
The survey, which collects data from Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes including, University College Dublin (UCD) and the seven other universities, five Technological universities, two Institutes of Technology and two Colleges, also incorporates contributions from Teagasc, the Marine Institute and Irish Manufacturing Research.
UCD through NovaUCD, the University’s knowledge transfer office, is leading the way based on metrics highlighted in the Report.
During 2023 UCD reported the highest number (98) of collaborative research agreements with industry; the highest number (132) of collaboration and consultancy agreements with non-commercial entities; the highest number (81) of invention/software disclosures received; the highest number (18) of new patent applications filed; the highest number (12) of previously filed patent applications which progressed to PCT and the highest number (6) of spin-out companies established.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD said, “My Department continues to support businesses to engage with the Irish research ecosystem, enhancing innovation in our enterprise sector. I welcome the publication of the Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey 2023 and acknowledge the importance of this report in tracking the impact of knowledge transfer in Ireland.
The AKTS 2023 shows a positive trend from 2022, with 1,470 live R&D collaborative projects with industry, an increase of almost 12%, along with an 8% increase in spin-out companies and an 18% increase in jobs in active spin-out companies, which stands at 1,845 for 2023. This is a very welcome trajectory. The positive outcomes from the AKTS and the expected impact of the new KT Boost programme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027, will help achieve goals set in Impact 2030, Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy.”
Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said, “It is fantastic to see UCD leading the way in key metrics as highlighted in KTI’s latest annual knowledge transfer survey report published today. This is an indication not only of the quality and quantity of outputs emerging from the University’s world-class research activities but also reflects the hard work and dedication of the NovaUCD team in commercialising these outputs. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the team on the UCD results reported by KTI and I look forward to continuing to work with NovaUCD, with the support of the KT Boost programme, as we build on our track record in the coming years.”
Knowledge Transfer Ireland sits within Enterprise Ireland and is the national office that helps business to benefit from access to expertise, technology, and intellectual property available within the publicly funded research base in Ireland.
Christian Stafford, Head of Knowledge Transfer Ireland said, “Through our support for knowledge transfer activities, Enterprise Ireland supports effective engagement between companies and the research base and stimulates the creation of new companies and founders from research, supporting their journey to High Potential Start-Up status (HPSU). KTI’s mission is to is to make it easier for businesses to access publicly funded research. The results of the 11th annual survey published today point to solid increases in levels of licensing activity, spin-out company formation and new products reaching the market. Innovation is key to accelerated growth and our data shows that Enterprise Ireland clients who avail of R&I supports have 1.3 times more domestic sales, 2.5 times higher turnover and 4.7 times greater exports. Enterprise Ireland through KTI will continue its work with the Research Performing Organisation’s on this important agenda of supporting and encouraging innovation across the entire business landscape.”
Among the success case studies included in the Report is UCD’s collaboration with Poolbeg Pharma to develop a vaccine for Melioidosis, a potentially fatal tropical disease, caused by the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium.
Associate Professor Siobhán McClean, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and Dr Jeremy Skillington, CEO, Poolbeg Pharma.
Following years of research Associate Professor Siobhán McClean, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science developed a Melioidosis vaccine. In 2021, UCD licensed MelioVac, the preclinical vaccine, to Poolbeg Pharma and as part of the agreement Poolbeg Pharma is continuing to develop the vaccine.
“We had a great experience collaborating with UCD on the MelioVac licence agreement, including the option to identify and develop other vaccine antigens at UCD,” said Dr Jeremy Skillington, CEO, Poolbeg Pharma.
“We worked closely with UCD’s Knowledge Transfer Office to put the licence agreement in place, and we hope to strengthen this relationship as we look to expand Poolbeg’s pipeline.”
The 2023 KTI Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey is available in full via https://www.kti.ie/Reports-Publications/Annual-Knowledge-Transfer-Survey-2023.pdf
ENDS
20 August 2024
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, NovaUCD, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie.
Editors Notes
Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) is the national office that helps business to benefit from access to Irish expertise and technology by making it simpler to connect and engage with the research base in Ireland. www.knowledgetransferireland.com
UCD’s Knowledge Transfer team, based at NovaUCD, through its extensive commercial experience and drawing on its network of industry experts, patent agents and legal experts, has been supporting UCD researchers to commercially exploit their research outputs for the benefit of the University and the wider community since 2003. NovaUCD also nurtures and supports high-tech start-ups with global potential. During the last two decades NovaUCD has developed an excellent and expanded infrastructure and a suite of comprehensive business support programmes, dedicated accelerators, and an ecosystem of mentors, investors and industry partners that help to nurture an enthusiastic and dynamic community of start-ups and established companies, to grow and scale on the global stage.
NovaUCD’s reach and influence has also expanded since 2003 as the NovaUCD team now also manages NexusUCD, the University’s Industry Partnership Centre, ConsultUCD, the University’s managed consultancy service, and the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm. NovaUCD was originally funded through a unique public-private partnership that included AIB; AMD; Arthur Cox; Deloitte; Enterprise Ireland; Ericsson; Goodbody and UCD. www.novaucd.ie