Setting up a National TTO Setting up a National TTO in Cyprusin Cyprus

Methodology, Challenges and Advantages

Marcia TrillidouScientific Officer

Unit for Innovation and EnterprisesResearch Promotion Foundation

Training at UCYNicosia, 24 March 2017

Who we are?

Research Promotion Foundation• Established in 1996 by the Republic of Cyprus.• National Agency with the mandate to promote Research, Technological

Development and Innovation• Located in 123 Strovolos Av, Nicosia, Cyprus• Staff: 49

• Independent Organization (governed by a Board of Directors)

• Main Activity Areas – Development and Administration of Research & Innovation Funding Programs.– Promotion of participation of Cypriot Organizations and Researchers to European R&I

Programs and other International Cooperation initiatives.– Support the development of R&D and innovation in enterprises, through activities

including information, advisory services and support.

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HISTORY - BACKGROUND

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2013 - 2014: RPF Study “Development of a Technology Transfer System in Cyprus”

Analysis of the national Ecosystem with regards to Technology Transfer Study of TTO and Technology Transfer support structures at international level

(Europe in general + Selected Countries – USA, UK, Germany, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, USA, Malta, Israel, Australia, India, Japan, China)

Exploring of alternative models of TTOs for the case of Cyprus (public consultation and roundtable discussion with representatives from the main research organizations in Cyprus and other stakeholders).

Proposal

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Alternative TTO Structures

1. TTOs within Universities & Research Institutes

2. Central TTO Structures (supporting centrally a number of Organizations)

3. Outsourcing of Technology Transfer Services from Third Parties

4. Hybrid Structures

Which is the most appropriate structure for the case of Cyprus?

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Technology Transfer Landscape in Cyprus - at a Glance (1)

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R&D Expenditure in Cyprus(in € and as a % of GPD)

Source: Cyprus Statistical Service

Gross domestic expenditure on R&D by sector in 2014 (%GDP)

Source: Eurostat

s

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Technology Transfer Landscape in Cyprus - at a Glance (2)

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Major Challenges Low National R&D Investment / Recent History in Research / Limited R&D Activity in the business sector Small critical mass of researchers Low performance in relation to the production, patenting and exploitation of research results. Lack of an integrated National Research and Innovation Strategy and sustained policy commitment. Lack of important innovation support structures (i.e. Incubators, technology parks) Absence of internal institutional management policies for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues in most of the research organizations National regulatory framework for public universities – barrier to spin-off creation TTOs absent from the Cyprus R&I landscape. Limited technology transfer activities are supported at an ad hoc basis by Liaison Offices, IP Committees or Research Support departments operating within research organizations. Limited availability of Seed / Start-up Capital (VCs & BA) Small Internal Market Geographical Location (?)

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Opportunities / Strengths Quality Research Outputs High Educational Level of Human Resources /

Growing academic community Newly Established & Emerging Centres of

Scientific Excellence / Strategic Collaborations with institutions abroad

New Programming Period for R&I 2016-2020 Mobilisation of private high-risk capital (i.e.

CyBAN / Financial Institutions) Cultural shift in young generation to engage in

entrepreneurial activity / Increasing private initiative to support start-up community

Gradual shift in policy making towards support of entrepreneurship

Stabilising national financial conditions Emerging regional strategic collaborations Regulatory framework attractive for foreign

investment

Technology Transfer Landscape in Cyprus - at a Glance (3)

Citations per DocumentSource: SCImago Journal & Country Rank – Country Rankings,

2012 & Eurostat R&D Personnel at National Level 2014

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National TTO, hosted by the Research Promotion Foundation (Support academic and research institutions in Cyprus to protect & exploit their research findings and IP).

Local TT Units (TTU) within major academic and research institutions (basic TT activities and facilitating communication between Institutions and the National TTO).

Establishment of a National Technology Transfer System

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Awareness raising and training for researchers (in conjunction with TTUs);

Evaluation of commercialisation prospects – Invention Disclosures (in conjunction with TTUs);

Provision of IPR advice to researchers;

Promotion of international inward and outward commercialisation opportunities through national and international networks (in conjunction with TTU);

Support for negotiated agreements around IPRs and know-how (through licencing, establishment of start-ups & spin-outs, consulting and collaborative R&D);

Management of successful commercialisation, distributing revenue to the Universities and ROs as agreed through governance agreements;

Development and implementation of a seed funds for the specific purpose of translating research from universities and ROs to overcome the ‘innovation gap’.

Potential Services Provision

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National TTO - Benefits

Central TTO Achieve critical mass of high-level technology / knowledge output; Utilise economies of scale / Benefit from cost sharing; Build on synergies and minimise duplication of administrative support (and cost); Build-up sustainable expertise and supporting tools; Customize functions based on regional conditions; Promote networking and collaboration among research organizations; Better monitor quality of services and benefit produced.

Within RPF Minimise investment requirements; Enable alignment between RPF and the TTO; Ensure utilisation of existing expertise, know-how and support tools; Minimise the timeframe required for the TTO to become operational; Ensure synergies with ongoing innovation activities from RPF and others. National TTO to act as a centralised awareness raising and educational function on

TT benefits and value

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National TTO - & Challenges

Governance Model / Coordination Income sharing Compatibility with national legislation governing public universities Compatibility with other national and EU regulations (ie. EU State Aid

regulations) Development of sustainable know-how

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Adoption / Implementation of Proposal:

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March 2014: National Committee for Research, Technological Development and Innovation, in the framework of its proposal for the creation of a unified and integrated national framework for RTDI.

March 2015: Adoption by the Council of Ministers, within the framework of the Action Plan for the «Smart Specialisation Strategy for Cyprus – S3CY», which refers to the funding of the development of the national TTO through ERDF Funds

December 2015: Adoption by the Council of Ministers, within the Framework of the National Policy Statement to support entrepreneurship in Cyprus.

Implementation of Proposal: RPF in collaboration with stakeholders

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Preparatory Actions

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RPF Support Measure” to support the development of institutional IPR Policies in major academic and research institutions in Cyprus (2014) Preparation of a Business Plan (Oxford University Innovation Ltd, March 2015). Study / Legal advice on issues regarding the formulation, establishment and operation of the National TTO (In progress).

Consultation with Stakeholders Consultation with National Authorities (State Aid Commissioner, ?)Define Structure & GovernanceUpdate National Legislation on exploitation IPR by Public Universities (creation of Spin-Offs ?)Define Action PlanStaffing / Training / Acquire Infrastructure……

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Thank you!Marcia TrillidouScientific OfficerUnit for Innovation and EnterprisesResearch Promotion Foundation

Website: www.research.org.cyP.O.Box 23422, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus

Tel. 357 22 205 000, 22 205 071, Fax. + 357 22 205 001Email: trillidou@research.org.cy

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