Our Experience

Case 6: Utilising BMBP as a Technology Evaluation Unit

The Organisation

The University of Birmingham technology transfer office, Birmingham Research and Development Ltd (BRDL), is responsible for assessing all the technology that emerges from the large life and medical science faculties at the University and deciding which technologies could form valuable spin-outs or licensing opportunities.

The Problem

While patenting of inventive technology has taken place, BRDL has not had the resources or the relevant skills in some cases, to assess in-house which pieces of technology would warrant exploitation and by what route.

The Solution

BMBP has been commissioned to undertake a number of technology audits for BRDL. Each audit has been commissioned individually, covering a number of different technologies with markets as varied as clinical antibodies to drug screening technologies.

Actions

With each audit, BMBP has spent time with the inventor understanding fully the technology and its novelty. Subsequently, a market analysis has been carried out to identify where the technology will impact the specific sector in order to assess its value in the market place. A full report was constructed of each analysis, laying out the pros and cons of the technology and recommending actions.

Value Added Components

BMBP's independent, external analysis has helped distinguish between those technologies that can be spun out into independent companies and those most suited to licensing. This has allowed BRDL to concentrate its patent investment funds into those technologies that are considered to have the best chance of success. Because the recommendation is from an outside source, it can make acceptance of the decision easier for all parties.

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