The aim of the Technology Transfer team in Research and Innovation Services (RIS) is to drive Innovation, Intellectual Property and Impact across the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences by transferring research outputs into a commercial arena. In order to achieve this, a large part of their work is focused on developing innovative research by securing translational funding. Working alongside academics, the Technology Transfer team advises on the completion of grant applications and, given sufficient time, can provide the required Intellectual property statements specific to a project. They then work to further develop these research outcomes by the protection of intellectual property and exploitation of this knowledge in a commercial setting via negotiation of license deals, working with industrial partners or through the formation of spin-out companies. Their long standing relationship with Fusion IP/ IP Group facilitates this process particularly in the formation of spinout companies.
The Technology Transfer team works closely with the Life Sciences NRN and with many external funders including but not limited to the Wellcome Trust, NIHR, NISCHR, the MRC, BHF AND Cancer Research UK. The Technology Transfer team has operational management of all Impact Acceleration accounts within the University and links closely to the College Deans for Research and Innovation and relevant impact staff. The team also provides training on intellectual property across the University.
The Technology Transfer team which services the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences is based on the 6thFloor of McKenzie House on Newport Road and has a satellite office within the School of Medicine on the second floor A-B link of the main building for ease of meetings for all schools based at the Heath Park Site. The team also has hot desk facilities in the Schools of Optometry and Pharmacy.
The team sits within Commercial Development in Research and Innovation Services and is led by Dr Nick Bourne, Deputy Director who has extensive experience of commercialising the outputs of high quality research through business interactions, licensing and the setting up of spinout companies over a wide range of disciplines.
The Biomedical and Life Sciences Team
Dr Eryl (Cox) Francis (Technology Transfer Manager)
Eryl has 14years of experience in Technology Transfer and has extensive expertise with Bioscience projects within the medical sector and has taken responsibility for the identification, internal diligence work, IP protection and commercialisation strategy for many new technology opportunities. Eryl is involved in projects at various stages of development, from early stage through to proof of concept/prototype production and has been intimately involved in the creation of four spin-out companies. She has been involved in negotiating licensing opportunities world-wide and has experience of working with academic and industrial partners in collaborative projects. Eryl continues to dedicate some of her time to meet with academics across the College of BLS to discuss innovative ideas, aid the completion of funding applications and drive commercial opportunities and impact. She also has extensive experience of working with the NHS on clinical innovation projects and overseas the activities and strategies for the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences.
Phone: 02920 879295 ext: 79295 Email: francisev@cardiff.ac.uk
Dr Phillip Barnes (Technology Transfer Officer)
Phil mainly covers the schools of Biosciences, Pharmacy, Optometry and Psychology. His previous projects have ranged from molecular biology to diagnostic assay development and drug discovery. Phil is particularly strong in the commercialisation of research outcomes and like all members of the team advises on the identification, internal diligence work, IP protection and commercialisation strategy for many new technology opportunities. Phil also has expertise in the identification of potential commercial partners and in licensing opportunities. He is part of the BBSRC Excellence with Impact team and with the BBSRC Sparking Impact awards. Phil provides training on intellectual property and commercialisation of research outputs for the MSc Biophotonics course and for the MRes postgraduates in BIOSI. He has also provided training for PhD students via the Life Science NRN and for GW4. He also has experience with the setting up of spin out companies based on University technology.
Phone: 02920 879297 ext: 79297 Email: barnespa2@cardiff.ac.uk
Dr Rhodri Turner(Technology Transfer Project Officer)
Rhodri has been with the Technology Transfer team for 6 years, joining straight after the completion of his PhD where he specialised in immunology. Rhodri has expertise in the Biomedical and HealthCare sector with projects ranging from molecular biology through to physiotherapy and imaging solutions to medical problems. He also advises on IP, translational funding and commercialisation of opportunities and mainly focuses on the schools based at the Heath Park Campus. He administers the MRC CIC Awards and works closely with Professor Ian Weeks and his team on all aspects of innovation and impact. Rhodri provides training on intellectual property and commercialisation of research outputs for MRes postgraduates in MEDIC and DENTL, and to the participants in the Cardiff Enterprise I- Solve programme. He also has experience in the setting up of spin out companies based on University technology.
Phone: 02920 870991 ext: 70991 Email: turnerrt@cardiff.ac.uk
Miss Rhian North(Technology Transfer Project Officer)
Rhian is the newest member of the Biomedical and Life Sciences Technology Transfer team. Her role is to work across the Biomedical and Life Science Schools at the Heath Park and Main University campuses to identify potential innovative opportunities, assists in their development towards impact and commercialisation and applications for translational funding on specific projects to NIHR.
Phone: 02920 876957 ext: 76957 Email: northr3@cardiff.ac.uk
Dr Corinne Nguyen(Technology Transfer Project Officer)
Corinne is a Technology Transfer Project Officer for the Intellectual Property Collaboration Project (IPCoP), collaboration between Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor, Aberystwyth and University of South Wales. Corinne also plays a role as a Technology Transfer Project Officer across all the schools in the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences and is involved in the development of innovative opportunities. Corinne has extensive expertise in intellectual property due diligence, has been involved in translational funding applications to the BBSRC, STFC and NERC and in licensing technologies.
Phone: 02920 879032 ext: 79032 Email: nguyent8@cardiff.ac.uk
General Office Contact Numbers
RIS Reception McKenzie House UHW Satellite Office
Tel: 02920 875834 ext: 75834 Tel: 029 2074 2020