Commercialising research outputs
The pages in this section provide a guide to the support offered by R&IS to staff wishing to protect, exploit or commercialise ideas and intellectual property created during the course of their research and research-related activities.
The Commercialisation Section provide advice and guidance in respect of commercial opportunities assessment and intellectual property as it relates to the exploitation of inventions and ideas and are responsible for the delivery of University-wide functions relating to the commercialisation of the University's intellectual property, including the University's Commercialisation Assessment System (CAS), patents, licensing administration and evaluation of projects to assess suitability for commercial exploitation.
In order to help maximise the commercialisation of IP arising from our ideas and inventions through licensing opportunities and the creation of spin out companies, the University has entered into a partnership with Fusion IP .
Stage 1 - Creation – tell us about your idea and its commercial potential using a ICE form. The idea then enters the Commercial Assessment System (CAS).
Stage 2 - Evaluation – Commercial Assessment Team assess your idea on its merits! The University works with Fusion IP in the CAS.
Stage 3 - Protection – Commercial Assessment Team work with you to ensure the idea is protected in law, for example, patent protection.
Stage 4 - Validation – Engagement with a commercial company usually happens at this stage in order to discuss commercial terms (licence or assignment or spin out company), or possible exit: CAS process diagram.
Stage 5 - Utilisation – If a COD results in a spin out company or a commercial deal then the University undertakes to reward its inventors.
Successful commercialisation often also results in the creation of more new ideas that can enter the cycle of commercialisation again. Successful commercialisation may also lead to new collaborations or new sources of funding which again may result in ideas that can enter the cycle.
