28-31 August 2012, Campinas, Brazil
The instructors found a burgeoning technology transfer system in Brazil and technology transfer managers who were keen to learn, and to share best practice.
PraxisUnico was asked to deliver a 3-day training programme for Brazilian technology transfer managers. This is part of an overall programme of engagement with Cambridge Enterprise support and funded by the FCO and British Council. The 26 delegates were a mixture of iNNova (Unicamp) TT staff and TT managers from across Brazil.
The aims of the training were to enable delegates to gain an in depth understanding of TT processes, most particularly licensing; to gain an understanding of UK and international TT; to provide an appreciation of commercial decision processes surrounding biomedical innovations; and to encourage sharing of TT practice amongst Brazilian TTOs.
PraxisUnico provided three highly experienced instructors: Dr Alison Campbell OBE – Alison Campbell Associates (Course Director); Dr David Secher – University of Cambridge, & Cambridge KT; and Dr Malcolm Skingle CBE – GlaxoSmithKline.
Programme delivery and outcomes
The PraxisUnico training was extremely well received by the delegates with an overall rating for the course, from delegate feedback, of 4.7 out of 5. 100% of delegate responses said that they would recommend the course to a colleague if it were repeated.
The instructors were very pleased with the interactive nature of the event and very much enjoyed the opportunity to work with such an enthusiastic and capable group of delegates. It was clear from the delegate feedback that the PraxisUnico training significantly improved confidence levels and encouraged individuals to rethink the nature of their roles and to implement practical new skills and initiatives within their own organisations. The 26 delegates were a mixture of Inova (Unicamp) TT staff and TT managers from across Brazil. This opportunity to mix and share experiences worked well and should be encouraged.
Delegates’ stated aims in attending the course included deepening their knowledge and improving skills, gaining new ideas and improving processes and understanding the British way of technology transfer. At the end of the course, delegates said their objectives were fully met.
In addition to their personal development, 98% of respondents said that initiatives like this course helped to bring Brazil and the UK together to work on technology transfer.
The course was delivered through a mixture of presentations and practical group work using case studies. Local experts were invited to present on current topics in IPR (Brazilian patent attorney) and Regulatory issues in healthcare adoption (GSK, Brazil).
Delegates found the opportunity to engage with experts and to engage with practical examples most useful. They also found topics on commercial strategy, IPR, industry approaches and deal structuring and negotiation very useful. Those working in healthcare applications were very positive about the presentations from GSK people. Delegates would welcome further modules on managing a TT portfolio, spin-off company creation, validation of technologies and a range of industry segment perspectives.
At the end of the course delegates developed personal action plans which included intentions to: consider the range of assets that can be traded in addition to arms length IPR transactions; assess and improve marketing materials and approaches; develop new ways of contracting; improve networks; improve communications with investors; approach negotiations differently.