There’s a nice story in the Irish Times today (2nd July) about BlueBox Sensors,  a spin-out from NUI Maynooth that has developed a tiny sensor implant that measures levels of brain chemicals in real time. The device will be manufactured in Galway. The sensors will allow pharmaceutical companies to get a better handle on how drug candidates act in the brain, and will also help them to ditch compounds early in the testing process if they don’t have the appropriate effects, says Dr John Scanlan, director of commercialisation at NUI Maynooth.“It has the potential to create a huge number of jobs in Ireland and the technology and brains behind it will be based here.” Read the full article
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The Applied Research Forum was a great success – over 200 researchers were there to see the Tanaiste present the One to Watch Award to Dr. Bruce Murphy for his flexi-cutting sheath, an innovation in medical devices.  Read more about his win

We had 4 workshops at the forum where researchers could share experiences and give EI feedback on what can be done to increase the volume, and value of technology being transferred to industry. We will be able to publish some of the feedback on this blog. 
Thanks to everyone that participated in the workshops!

Pictured at Enterprise Ireland's conference ‘Business opportunities from emerging companies' in the Guinness Storehouse today (Thursday 18th June 2009), were Hugh Cooney, Chairman, Enterprise Ireland (right) with An Tánaiste Mary Coughlan T.D, (centre) after presenting Enterprise Ireland’s ‘One to Watch’ Award 2009 to mechanical engineer Dr. Bruce Murphy, (pictured left) for his invention of a‘flexi-cutting sheath’, a tiny device containing micro-blades and a balloon that can cut though blockages in human arteries. Over 100 high-value companies have emerged from higher education institutions, and such spin-out companies arising from research contribute more than €160 million annually to the economy.

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When we asked those registered for the Applied Research Forum to indicate what workshop they wanted to join based on their experience, almost half wanted to join the spin-out group.   As there are 250 people registered to attend, that’s a lot of people wanting to talk about spin-outs – hopefully we will get useful insights into how researchers link with business people to created new companies so that we can improve the process and create more of them.  Only 3 days to go now till we find out!

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Only a matter of days to go now until the biggest gathering of applied researchers in Ireland.  Last count there were 223 researchers on the list.  Setting up the discussion guides for the workshops has been interesting – we are going to organise the discussion in 4 different groups, each one focussing on a different means of transferring technology out into the marketplace.  Anyone that has registered will receive an email from us this week explaining the process and inviting you to identify the group you want to participate in.
We have also just announced the names of the 7 nominees for the One to Watch Award 2009.  To find out who has been nominated and get details on the event, parking, directions etc Click here

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If you have something to say about research commercialisation in Ireland, welcome to your blog.  Also, we have reached full capacity for this year’s Applied Research Forum  on the 18th of June in the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin 8. If you haven’t already registered, check back here for updates on how it all goes.

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We will be talking about defining and building stronger links with industry on June 18th in the Guinness Storehouse.  One of the big questions is ‘how do you start working with industry?  To give you an example of how these links start, here is some news of one such link between a company called Wirelite Sensors Ltd.  and the Tyndall Institute at UCC was released on Friday (15th May).  Click here to read about this partnership 
What do you think of Innovation Partnerships as a way of building links with industry?

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In the 2008 survey of researchers conducted by Enterprise Ireland, less than half of those surveyed felt they have the skills required to commercialise their research. Similarly, the researchers that participated in the breakout sessions at the Applied Research Forum in June 2008, said that there is a ‘skills gap’ around the business aspect of research commercialisation. They said that capability around applying for funding, writing business plans and applying for patents is weak among the research community.

Do you agree? 

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Working away on getting this year’s applied research forum organised – the website is live and posters have gone out to the colleges to advertise it. Last year we had 200 researchers – hope to top that this year!  Main focus is on how applied research can help to revive the economy. Does anyone have any thoughts that we can build into the discussion?

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