UNIZAR research results evaluation methodology
About this good practice
Research results need to be properly assessed not only to find the best way to protect them, but also to maximise the chances for their commercial exploitation. Besides, UNIZAR has limited resources for TT activities, that must be efficiently used.
Usually, the first step is to conduct a patentability report to check if a result meets the requirements for being patentable: novelty, invention step and industrial applicability. However, UNIZAR goes further and, in addition, a strategic evaluation of the invention is carried out to assess:
• Financial resources foreseen to transfer the result
• The stage of development of the invention (prototype, in-vitro tests...)
• TT research group skills/experience and resources
• Best legal protection
• The potential market (main competitors, possible industrial partners, legal/environmental constrains, expected demand…)
The objective of the assessment is to obtain an index indicating the transferability potential of a specific result. To this end, it is essential to interview the research team in order to gain all the information you need to assess the result from all the perspectives stated above. Once the index is obtained, a report is elaborated and sent to the Invention Protection Commission.
This methodology benefits:
- research centres by optimizing their resources
- researchers by receiving a feedback about results transferability
- companies by receiving innovations with high probability of commercial exploitation.
Resources needed
Financial and Human Resources: 3 full time officers (145.000 eur/year) and 3 occasional experts (Invention Protection Commission). In addition, a specific budget for patents (in UNIZAR it is 25.000-50.000 eur/year) must be considered.
Evidence of success
This methodology is part of the University's own Patent Regulations, and it has been proved to be very useful.
UNIZAR signs between 15-20 exploitation licences/year, generating around half a million euros/year in royalties, and being one of the top 3 Spanish Universities in terms of licences signed and royalties´ incomes.
One possible conclusion of this evaluation is that working towards the creation of a spin-off is the best transfer option. In the last 10 years, 17 SpinOffs have been set up.
Potential for learning or transfer
Tech transfer is a key objective, together with teaching and research, for most European universities. To accomplish this target, the majority of Universities rely on particular procedures that are characterised for being more or less objective. As regards UNIZAR, Tech transfer is a strategic process, based on taking decisions that should be exempt of personal or temporary conditionings factors.
By implementing this strategic assessment, it is possible to completely remove subjective factors. With this method it is possible, for instance, to track results in time to assess how its potential is moving forward or, to compare similar results to come to conclusions for a determined industrial sector.
This methodology can be implemented in other universities or TT offices by counting on professionals who are focused on obtaining key information from the research group about financial resources, technical skills and level of development of the innovation, always considering the market.