'Fluorescence images on the nanoscale' by Dr Fergal O'Reilly
UCD has announced that 5 new spin-out companies were established in 2011 to commercialise the output of UCD research programmes. This brings to 19 the total number of UCD spin-outs incorporated in the last 5-years.
The 5 new spin-outs are involved in diverse activities including; energy management [Belfield Technologies and Wattics]; ultra-violet light sources and optics for the semi-conductor industry [NewLambda Technologies]; pharmaceutical processing technologies [APC]; and specialist construction risk assessment and management [BRAM].
The 5 spin-out companies plan to employ in excess of 50 people by the end of 2013. Forty-four new inventions were also generated by UCD researchers during 2011 bringing to 295 the number of inventions disclosed since 2007.
Commenting on the announcement of UCD’s commercialisation results for 2011, Professor Peter Clinch, Vice-President for Innovation, UCD said, “Developing a sustainable smart economy in Ireland needs a strong flow of innovative ideas and high-tech start-up companies. 2011 was an excellent year for the establishment of new high-tech start-ups at the University. These start-ups will grow and develop in the coming years which will generate highly-skilled job opportunities.”
UCD filed 36 patent applications, including 18 priority, 8 PCT (patent co-operation treaty) and 10 national/regional applications during 2011. These patents were filed for intellectual property arising from research taking place across the University’s Colleges, Schools and Institutes. A total of 91 priority patent applications have now been filed by UCD in the last 5-years.
In addition 17 licence agreements were concluded by UCD in 2011 with a range of indigenous and international companies bringing to over 50 the number of licences concluded since 2007.
NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre, is responsible for the commercialisation of intellectual property arising from UCD research programmes and for nurturing high-tech and knowledge-intensive enterprises.
The 5 new spin-out companies have all completed the NovaUCD Campus Company Development Programme. This enterprise support programme assists UCD academic and research entrepreneurs in bringing their innovative ideas from intellectual concepts to fully-developed and sound commercial business enterprises. 187 new ventures and 289 individuals have now completed this programme which has run annually since 1996.
37 high-tech and knowledge-intensive companies, employing over 200 people, are currently based at NovaUCD. Since NovaUCD opened at the end of 2003 an additional 25 companies have also graduated from NovaUCD.
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, University College Dublin, Communications Manager (Innovation), e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: + 353 1 716 3712.
