UCD leading on research collaborative agreements with industry, according to latest Knowledge Transfer Ireland Survey

Posted 21 August, 2024

University College Dublin enjoyed the highest number of research collaborative agreements with industry last year, according to Knowledge Transfer Ireland.

In its new latest (opens in a new window)Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey (AKTS), a comprehensive report on knowledge transfer activities in Ireland for the year 2023, KTI reported that UCD, through its knowledge transfer office NovaUCD, had 98 collaborative research agreements with industry – the highest in Ireland.

Alongside this, the University lead on several other key metrics driving economic growth and fostering innovation. These were:

• 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.  

The survey, which collects data from Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes including 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. 

Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said it was fantastic to see “UCD leading the way in key metrics as highlighted in KTI’s latest annual knowledge transfer survey report”.

“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.”

Among the success case studies included in the latest AKTS 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.

Following years of research (opens in a new window)Associate Professor Siobhán McClean, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science developed a Melioidosis vaccine, which was licensed in 2021 to Poolbeg Pharma who agreed to continue its development.

“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.”

KTI 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.

“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,” said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD.

“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.”

Christian Stafford, KTI Head added: “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 points 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.”

By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations (with materials from Micéal Whelan, UCD Research and Innovation)

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie