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Maximising Opportunities and Impact from your Research: Intellectual Property and Commercialisation training programme
Our NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialisation Training Programme is tailored specifically for academic and non-academic staff focused on Medicine and Health, Life Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences and developed in partnership with the University of Birmingham Enterprise and Library Services.
This free, comprehensive programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to maximise the impact of your research through effective intellectual property management and commercialisation strategies.
The training is open to Birmingham BRC members from any partner organisation, as well as to all University of Birmingham staff and students. To register, please contact our IP and Commercialisation Lead Dr Sohini Chakrabortee.
Training sessions
Session 1: In person event – Introduction to the programme
28 October 2024 | 12-2pm | Institute of Translational Medicine, Heritage Building
- Introduction to IP and Commercialisation
- Introduction to UoBE and how it can help academics
- Why is IPC important and what are the academic benefits to it
- Overview of the IPC training programme to be provided
- Lunch and networking
Session 2: IP explained
11 November 2024 | 12-1pm | Online
- Introduction to different types of IP
- Explanation of background, foreground, pipeline IP
- The role of ‘knowhow’
- Timings (publish vs patents)
Session 3: Freedom to Operate
25 November 2024 | 12-12.45pm | Online
- Difference between prior art and FTO
- Practical session on how to do an initial FTO searches
- Patent search engines
- How to look around at what is already protected
Session 4: Copyright protection
9 December 2024 | 12-1pm | Online
- Introduction to copyright
- Ownership and exceptions, online data
- Considerations when contracting with 3rd parties
- Considerations when translating from non-commercial research to commercialisation
Session 5: The process of protecting IP
3 February 2025 (rescheduled from 13 January) | 12-1.15pm | Online
- Who owns the IP
- What are Invention Disclosures
- Role of CDAs and NDAs and when should they be used
- Impact of publication
- The patenting process, key stages, costs etc.
- Filing patents in different regions
- How does UoB assess Invention Disclosures and determine whether to file a patent
- Key points where the University will review whether there will be continued support for a patent
- Examples of where a successful patent was files and where decision was made not to file
- Working with patent attorneys
Session 6: Examples of IP in different sectors
27 January 2025 | 12-1.45pm | Online
Topics to be covered are:
- Medical devices
- Instrumentation
- Digital and Apps
- Data
- AI
Session 7: More examples of IP in sectors
10 February 2025 | 12-12.45pm | Online
- Diagnostics
- Sensors
- Biomarkers
- Therapeutics
- Antibodies
- Drugs
- Materials
Session 8: IP sections of grant applications
24 February 2025 | 12-12.30pm | Online
- Considerations for IP sections in grant applications
- IP/Copyright considerations for different funders
- Internal programmes
Session 9: How do you know your research is commercially viable?
10 March 2025 | 12-12:45pm | Online
- Considerations for commercialisation
- Licences for background IP for commercialisation
- Funder considerations (e.g. revenue sharing)
- Spin outs vs licencing
- Examples for spin out and licensing
Session 10: Licensing
24 March 2025 | 12-12.45pm | Online
- The process and key considerations
- How to identify and approach potential licensees
- Key terms to think about
- Support from UoB
- Introduction to market research and validation
Session 11: Considerations for spin-outs
7 April 2025 | 12-12.45pm | Online
- The internal process before spin-out
- The support UoB can provide
- Setting up a company – the nuts and bolts, legals, shareholders
- Business planning, financial forecasts
- Raising funding
- Joining the company
Session 12: Idea to impact
28 April 2025 | 12-12.45pm | Online
- IP and commercialisation: journey to impact
- The ecosystem in the region and beyond to support your commercialisation journey
