Tech Transfer Course
Tech Transfer Course
26 - 29 August 2024 (9h30 - 17h) in FSVM II and 30 August (9h30 - 13h30) at VIB HQ
General context
Do you want to know how scientific inventions are turned into real-life medicines, products, and agricultural innovations? Are you interested in how patents serve to protect your invention? Or would you like to learn what it takes to create a biotech startup company? Join VIB’s Innovation & Business team in our annual Technology transfer course!
At VIB, we're on a mission to turn our scientific discoveries into real-world solutions that benefit both society and the economy. Our dedicated Innovation & Business team works tirelessly to bring these breakthroughs to life by securing patents, devising strategic intellectual property (IP) plans, forging partnerships with industry leaders, licensing our IP and know-how, and even fostering the creation of spin-off companies.
In the past half-decade alone, our efforts have yielded impressive results. We've built a portfolio boasting over 250 active patent families, formed over 1500 partnerships with industry pioneers, generated more than € 130 million in industrial revenue, and facilitated the birth of 36 dynamic spin-off ventures.
VIB Innovation & Business also features a unique drug discovery unit (VIB Discovery Sciences) which collaborates with VIB labs to derisk small molecules and antibodies and make them more appealing for biotech or pharma companies.
This technology transfer course will give you a flavour of:
- How to protect your invention through a patent application.
- What steps are necessary to commercialize your work.
- What it takes to set up a spin-off company.
- How to turn your research into value for society.
Supported by speakers from biotech companies and investment firms, VIB’s Innovation & Business Team will go into detail on real life valorisation approaches. We will discuss the basics of Intellectual Property Rights, including a hands-on patent search on your favourite topic. We will go through term sheets and contracts that shape the framework of industrial collaborations and investments. We will have a lively case study to highlight the potentially complex relationships between scientist, valorisation manager, and company representative. On top of that, you will be introduced to the various stages of setting up a start-up company.
We warmly invite participants to submit a short abstract on a potential business idea prior to the start of the course, so we can select a number of topics for the startup pitching exercise which will be held in small teams. We will email you more details regarding the requirements for your abstract and then, in the course of June, invite you to submit your abstract.
We set up this course to introduce VIB scientists to the technology transfer process and the life sciences ecosystem surrounding us. The course is also open to external participants, but please note that all examples and case studies will focus on life science topics.
- Participation is free for VIB participants.
- Registration fee for Academics from Universities and Centers of Excellence is € 450 (21% VAT incl.).
- Registration fee for participants of EU-LIFE partner institutes is € 450 (21% VAT incl.).
- Registration fee for industry is € 2,250 (21% VAT incl.).
- Note that upon no-show without valid justification you will be blacklisted for the VIB training program for 1 year. Click here for more information.
This broad training provides a good introduction on the different steps involved in technology transfer. If you are interested in transferring research results to investors or setting up an own company, this course offers sufficient tools, guidelines and Tips & Tricks to start exploring this field.
Participant edition 2023
It was an extremely useful training. I learnt a lot about the different topics, and the trainers were really excellent. There was a good balance between theory and exercise, and enough time for each session so we could really interact with the speakers to ask questions and engage in discussions. Due to the alternation of talks/exercises and also due to the fact that the day did not start very early nor end very late, it was easy to keep your attention to the course and learn as much as possible.
Participant edition 2022
Trainers
Hanne Callewaert
Maarten Stuiver
Stephanie Munk
Program
Innovation & Business at VIB - Intellectual Property part 1
Welcome - Innovation & Business: VIBs Tech transfer lane to success in Biotech! - Carla Snoeck
Introduction to intellectual property rights - Jan Demolder
Pitching exercise: introduction - Tim Van Acker, Griet Vanpoucke, Carla Snoeck, Tom Viaene
Patentability requirements - Griet Den Herder
Writing a patent application
Claim drafting exercise (based on Oosthuyse et al.) - Jan Demolder & Visnja Popovic
Reception (optional)
Dinner (optional)
Intellectual Property part 2
Discovery & RISK! – Journey through the valley of death - Bruno Dombrecht
Filing and prosecution of a patent - Visnja Popovic
Pitching exercise: discuss
Guest Lecture: Hanne Callewaert, CEO AstriVax
Patent search: intro and example - Pawel Bieniasz-Krzywiec
Pitching Excercise: Patentability and IP/competition-landscape analysis
Business Development
Public Private partnerships - Jan Staelens
Contracting: MTAs & CDAs - Koen Tyberghein
MTA negotiation workshop
Guest lecture: Maarten Stuiver - Head of Research Technology, Head of Disease Control BASF
R&D Collaborations & Licensing - Koen Tyberghein
Licensing exercise: Term sheets and negotiations
New Ventures part 1
Key ingredients for building a successful business - Tim Van Acker
Building a business and fundraising - pitching your plan - Griet Vanpoucke
Company valuation - Griet Vanpoucke
Pitching exercise: preparation pitch
New Ventures part 2
Pitching your Newco (+feedback)
Guest lecture VC: Stephanie Munk & Jacob Lange Moresco - Sunstone Life Science Ventures
Pitching Award and closing - Panel: Stephanie Munck, Catelijne Stortelers, Peter Cauwels, Tom Viaene, Pawel Bieniasz-Krywiec
Practical info
26 August 2024 - 29 August 2024
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
30 August 2024
VIB HQ
Suzanne Tassierstraat 1
9052 Gent
Belgium
26 August 2024 - 29 August 2024
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
30 August 2024
VIB HQ
There is a shuttle bus (MaxMobiel) that runs between Ghent Sint Pieters railway station and Eiland Zwijnaarde. The VIB stop is the third (and last) stop on the inward journey. You can also get off the bus at Mainfreight (first stop) and cover the last 350 metres on foot.
You can find the schedule via this link: https://max-mobiel.be/en/shuttle-lines/shuttle-line/gent-sint-pieters-eiland-zwijnaarde
Please inform us upfront if you wish to make use of this shuttle so we can provide you with a QR code that you will need to show to the driver.
26 August 2024 - 29 August 2024
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Looking for a custom cycling route? Try the online cycling route planner to easily and quickly identify the fastest, safest and/or most scenic route to any destination in Ghent.
Cycling route planner
Shared bicycles:
Several providers are active in the area.
Take a look at their platforms:
- Indigo Weel Pro app
- Bluebike
- DOTT
- BOLT eBikes
- Donkey Republic
There are also some public bicycle pumps at the park.
30 August 2024
VIB HQ
Use the high-quality cycling infrastructure to and from the business park and borrow shared bikes from Blue Bike, Donkey Republic or Dott (electric bikes) from various pick-up points in Ghent and the surrounding area. You can also quickly and easily plan your route using the online Cycling Route Planner of the City of Ghent.
26 August 2024 - 29 August 2024
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket - Parking is only allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited.
30 August 2024
VIB HQ
Parking is only allowed in the Maaiveldparking (Bertha De Vriesestraat 5, Zwijnaarde). Reservations in advance are required, so please let us know your license plate if you wish us to reserve a parking spot.
26 August 2024 - 29 August 2024
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
30 August 2024
VIB HQ
+32 9 244 66 11
VIB FSVM 2 Research Building - Room L5