NovaUCD, the TTO responsible for the commercialization of IP developed at Ireland’s University College Dublin (UCD), reported 85 invention disclosures in 2009 — a 60% increase over the 53 inventions reported in 2008. In addition, seven companies were spun out of UCD in 2009, including:
- Aremon, established to provide validation of clinically relevant and qualified diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers, initially in the areas of neurodegeneration and cancer.
- BioPlastech, which is commercializing a process to convert waste materials to a biodegradable plastic.
- Capstan Healthcare, a veterinary health care company that provides technology and product development services to the veterinary pharmaceutical market.
- Crop Research, which evaluates the efficacy of agrochemicals for use in agriculture, particularly the use of fungicides to control crop diseases.
- Darius Medical, which is developing a low-cost, non-invasive medical device for early detection of coronary artery disease.
- Equinome, which is developing genetic tests to optimize decision-making in the breeding and racing of thoroughbred horses and has launched a genetic test to identify the optimum racing distance for individual Thoroughbred horses.
- Future Buildings Consulting (trading as ERG Consulting), which provides specialty services in sustainable building design and construction to the Irish and European building industries.
In addition, NovaUCD filed 47 patent applications in 2009 — a 25% increase over the previous year. “We should recognize that the conversion to license deals, new companies, and much needed employment takes time,” says Pat Frain, director of NovaUCD. “One major issue is the need to ensure that early-stage campus companies have access to finance.” In that respect, the international success achieved by UCD companies is particularly important, he adds, citing the $60 million sale of NovaUCD spinout ChangingWorlds to U.S. technology firm Amdocs, the €6 million investment in BiancaMed led by pan-European VC firm Seventure Partners.
Source: Biotechnology Ireland