2016
UCC Technology Transfer Office wins at national Knowledge Transfer awards ceremony
UCCs Office of Technology Transfer had a very good night at the annual Knowledge Transfer Impact Awards (23rd June) at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin winning two of the seven national awards on the night.
UCC won the Research2Business Collaborative Impact award which recognises and celebrates researchers in Irish publicly-funded research performing organisations (RPOs) who have developed successful collaborative research engagement with the business community.
University College Cork won the award for the collaboration between Statistical Solutions and Dr Brian O’Flaherty, from the Cork University Business School. This interaction has been a model for how a University researcher can work closely with a local SME with substantial impact for both parties. The ongoing involvement of the Statistical Solutions’ CEO Mary Byrne in the entrepreneurship space in UCC, including her position on the board of the IGNITE student entrepreneurship programme has had an substantial impact on the students within the University. It is these multi-layered, deep links with the local business community that is the key impact to the institution as a whole.
Speaking about the award Prof. Anita Maguire, Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC said:
“The collaboration between Dr. O’Flaherty’s team and Statistical Solutions represents a model for how UCC research can provide real benefits for regional and national SMEs. Brian has worked closely with Statsol and the outcomes of the research, in the form of intellectual property and expertise has been transferred to the company with sustained impact for the company. Equally the company relationship has benefited Brian’s teaching and research. It is a wonderful example of the multi-layered, deep links with the local business community that exist in UCC, and I am delighted to see the collaboration recognised with a Knowledge Transfer Ireland Impact Award. Congratulations also to the Technology Transfer team for facilitating the effective transfer of the intellectual property of the company which now is the cornerstone of a new product offering, PX Analytics, from the company”
UCC's technology transfer team was also recognised through the award for Knowledge Transfer Achiever of the Year to Dr Derek John. The award recognises the personal achievement of a staff member in a TTO or ILO who has made a significant contribution to the business of that TTO.
Since his appointment in 2013, Derek’s contributions to UCC and the UCT consortium have been fantastic for our office, and during 2015 he has been a standout contributor to our knowledge transfer metrics. Derek was Case Manager in the formation of 3 start-up companies during 2015. He also managed 8 licenses, Options or assignments. As during 2015, and a large number of industry contracts in 3 of Ireland’s largest research centres; the SFI-funded APC Microbiome Institute; INFANT Centre, and EI’s Food for Health Ireland, Dairy Processing Technology Centre and the Meat Technology Centre.
Speaking on his success, David Corkery, Operations Manager said, “Derek has done great work this year and established very valuable companies and licenses. His efforts contribute to high value employment opportunities for our economy and the creation of new products that will benefit the public. I am delighted that his efforts have been recognised. He has set a high standard for us all, which is great for Technology Transfer in UCC and across the sector”
UCC is the lead partner in the UCT Consortium of Technology Transfer Offices. One of our partner organisations, Cork Institute of Technologies, was recognised for the establishment of the Spin-out Company of the Year for its spin-out company, AventaMed Limited. AventaMed is a medical device company focused on simplifying surgical procedures to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient safety. The company is a spin-out from the 'MEDIC' research centre within the Cork Institute of Technology and has been founded upon technology developed from 4 years of product development.
UCC spin-out company Alimentary Health was shortlisted for the impact of its license of UCC technology that is now the basis of their product, Alflorex, which won the Best Gastrointestinal Product and Best Natural Product at Irish Pharmacy News Awards this year and is the Nation’s Top Selling Probiotic - #No.1 Milestone Reached in Ireland.
Professor Maguire said that "the success of our UCC team and our consortium colleagues in being shortlisted first and in winning national awards is very pleasing. The recognition of our achievements in technology transfer at a national level, reflects the importance that we place on it here in UCC and the importance of maximising the impact of our research".