27 September 2012

Chris Austin, Director, NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) to deliver a keynote presentation at TTS North America 2012. 

We delighted to confirm that the recently appointed Director NIH (NCATS), Chris Austin, will deliver a keynote presentation on the continuing mission of the NIH NCATS division.

Instigated by the Director of the NIH, Dr Francis Collins and announced at TTS North America 2011 you will now be able to hear what advances have been made regarding the NCATS mission. NCATS intend to catalyze innovations aimed at enhancing the development, testing and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of human diseases and conditions. Advances in these areas will enable others in both the public and private sectors to develop drugs and diagnostics more efficiently for any number of diseases. The ultimate aim is to accelerate the pace at which new treatments are delivered to the patients who need them.

Several Big Pharma who have already signed up to strategic initiatives with NCATS will also be in attendance. Find out how you can access resources and collaborate with Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) institutions and their partners. Learn how to eg collaborate with the Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) program or about how you can utilise NCATS tools and resources.

Finally in combination with those attending from the NIH OTT you will be able to meet and learn more about technology transfer, patents, licensing or partnerships with both the NIH and NCATS researchers. These opportunities also extend to small businesses and the opportunities thereof that are available through NCATS.

Already, NCATS has become a hub of innovation for translational sciences launching several major research initiatives, cultivating promising strategic partnerships, and establishing a presence outright at NIH and in the industry per se. This is very much your chance to hear close up how these initiatives can impact your research and / or business. Come to hear the keynote:

"Better understanding Translational Science with NCATS"

at the TTS North America 2012 on 22-23 October at Johns Hopkins.

24 September 2012

We are pleased to confirm the Steven Tregay, CEO of Forma Therapeutics, will deliver a keynote presentation at the TTS North America 2012.

Founded in 2008 and approaching $2 billion in pharma deals, including In Vivo 2011 Alliance of the Year nominee, platform based cancer biology and drug discovery company Forma Therapeutics has been listed by Fierce biotech as one of the Fierce 15 most promising private biotechnology companies.

With deals done with Esai, Novartis, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Janssen (JnJ), and Genentech,among others, what lessons does Forma offer for innovative early stage biotechnology, what can start-ups learn from their model and approach, and what does Forma's success and their plans for academic collaborations mean for universities, research institutes and their technology transfer offices?

Join Forma Therapeutics CEO Steven Tregay at the TTS North America for a keynote presentation on

"Building a Transformative Cancer Research & Development Engine through Partnerships"

at the TTS North America 2012 on 22-23 October at Johns Hopkins.

13 June 2012

The Licensing Executive Society (LES) Britain & Ireland has officially become a Partner of the Global Tech Transfer Initiative, and will be present at the TTS Europe in Paris the 25-26 June at the Institut Pasteur.

LES joins the Association of University Technology Managers (ASTP) as Partners of the TTS Europe, meaning that both of the most important Technology Transfer associations in Europe are officially Partners of the Global TTS Initiative.  Together with the leading institutions and associations in the biotech, biopharma and healthcare sectors, including the National Institutes of Health, the European Commission, The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries & Associations EFPIA), EuropaBio (European bio-industry association), BayBio (Northern California bio-industry association), BIOTECanada, AusBiotech, Maryland Biotechnology Center, and many others, as well as the key industry and tech transfer executives, leaders and stakeholders, the TTS Initiative brings together the most important counter-parties in bio-sector innovation, collaboration, tech transfer, licensing, and early-stage investment.

11 June 2012

BayBio has now joined the NIH, BIO and Johns Hopkins Technology Transfer, as well as other key US and international associations in biotechnology and technology transfer, as key partners of the Tech Transfer Initiative and the Tech Transfer Summit (TTS) North America.

The TTS North America is the only size-controlled, high-level and interactive Expert Summit of the key leaders, decision-makers and innovators in the North American biotech sector. With the leading university tech transfer offices, top pharma executives, and key VC's all together for two days of direct discussions, debate, networking and deal-making in an ideal business format without pitches, PR, presentations, or the general "noise" of most events. Make sure to be one of the participants in these key discussions.

The 2012 edition of the TTS North America takes place at Johns Hopkins Montgomery Country Campus on 22-23 October.

Further details at http://www.techtransfersummit.com/northamerica2012

03 June 2012

TTS is proud to announce that we have become an official Supporter of WIPO Re:Search, and calls upon our community of TTOs, unviersitites and institutes, biotech and pharma companies to join as well in the fight against neglected tropical diseases, malaria and tuberculosis.

Upon official invitation, TTS  has endorsed the Guiding Principals of WIPO Re:Search and become an official Supporter. Anatole Krattiger, Director, Global Challenges Division, WIPO Re:Search, will speak at the Tech Transfer Summit Europe, at the Institut Pasteur on 25-26 June, and will present the mission of WIPO Re:Search as well as the important opportunity for research universitites, institutes, biotech and pharma companies to join in this key global initiative.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), togehter with leading pharmaceutical companies and BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), launched WIPO Re:Search, a new consortium where public and private sector organizations share valuable intellectual property (IP) and expertise with the global health research community to promote development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics to treat neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and tuberculosis.

Founding members of WIPO Re:Search include Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, MSD1, Novartis, Pfizer, and Sanofi, as well as WIPO, BVGH, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and multiple non-profit research organizations: the California Institute of Technology, the Center for World Health & Medicine, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Medicines for Malaria Venture, PATH, the South African Medical Research Council, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Dundee (UK).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), neglected tropical diseases today impair the lives of an estimated 1 billion people. The WHO provides technical advice to WIPO on public health issues and research priorities, as appropriate.

Membership in WIPO Re:Search as a user, provider, or supporter is open to all organizations that endorse, adhere to, and support the project’s Guiding Principles. These Guiding Principles include the commitment that IP licensed via WIPO Re:Search will be licensed on a royalty-free basis for research and development on neglected tropical diseases in any country and on a royalty-free basis for sale of neglected tropical disease medicines in, or to, least developed countries.

For more information and to learn how to become involved in WIPO Re:Search, click here

20 January 2012

2012 is getting off to a fast start.  Those of you who were at JP Morgan in San Francisco last week will have noticed the increased pace of pharma to biotech and pharma to VC meetings taking place.  Major deals have been signed and more are in the works, so while we are by no means at the end of the tunnel for biotechnology transfer and venture, it does seem like 2012 will be a more active year than 2011.

But what about technology transfer in biotech and healthcare?  The good news is, the Global Tech Transfer Initiative is stronger than ever, and we look forward to seeing you at key Summits in Europe (25-26 June at the Pasteur Institute), North America, and Australia.  We will announce the full dates and venues soon, but in the meantime, there are a number of important affiliate events supported or endorsed by TTS.

Perhaps most important of these is the European Commission’s “Innovation in Healthcare: Across Borders” conference on 16-17 April in Brussels.  This is the EC’s key policy event related to healthcare innovation, and technology transfer takes a central role, so we encourage all members of the TTS network to be there.  Registration is free, so join us in taking part and making sure technology transfer, access to finance for biotech start-ups, and other key issues in healthcare innovation receive the attention they need, and benefit from real stakeholder input.  TTS Ltd is proud to once again be contributing to the programme of the Innovation in Healthcare meeting.

There are also a number of key international events in emerging biotech markets.  In February, we are participating in BioAsia 2012 in Hyderabad, one of the key meetings for the biotech sector in India.

The BioVision Alexandria meeting on 22-25 April in Alexandria, Egypt, takes place every 2 years and remains the key international biotech meeting for the developing world.  Those interested to support biotech innovation in developing and emerging markets are encouraged to visit the Library of Alexandria and get involved in this key initiative, likely to be even more ambitious following the changes in the Middle East over the past year.

And finally BioInvest Israel on 5-6 March in Haifa will provide unique partnering access to key biotech and medical device innovators and stakeholders in Israel.  Watch for announcements for a 10% registration discount.

In Europe, BioVaria 2012 provides an excellent technology pitching platform on 15 May in Muncih, and on May 30 - June 1 in Berlin, the ASTP annual conference brings together the members of the Association of Technology Professionals for their annual meeting and discussion of TTO issues and training.

The Global Tech Transfer Initiative supports key international events, which help to build a global community and network of the key leaders in biotechnology and related technology transfer, innovation and venture, and to provide all of you with access to this key community.  We look forward to seeing you at one or more of these key international meetings, as well as major conferences like BIO, and of course at the Tech Transfer Summits themselves, where the leading tech transfer and innovation stakeholders join together for two days of high level, interactive expert round-table discussions, debate, best practices and networking.

Christian Suojanen

13 September 2011

With less than one week to go to the Tech Transfer Summit Europe in Paris, the leading stakeholders are converting the TTS Europe into the key high-level, interactive biotech business meeting for early-stage biotech and industry licensing from universities and start-ups.

Meet, & join roundtable discussions with Europe's Top VCs, Pharma Licensing Executives, and Tech Transfer Officers.

Yes, the TTS Europe has Partnering, but more importantly, 2 full days of interactive discussion, debate & deal-making

Why are the coming? None of the TTS Initiative Summits are large. There are no exhibitions.  No company presentations in empty rooms. And no one brings their marketing staff.

But the TTS Europe is unique.  It is pure, interactive roundtable discussion with many of Europe's most important Venture Capital Investors.

It is direct access and discussions over 2 days with many senior Pharma Licensing & Business Development Executives.

Networking and deal-making at its best.

See the website for full details, but know that the following VCs, Pharma, and University and Institute Tech Transfer Offices are all confimed:

• Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners
• Apposite Capital
• Crédit Agricole Private Equity
• Heartstream Group
• Index Ventures
• KLS Partners
• Merieux Developpment
• BioAssetInvestETH Zurich
• MRC Technology
• Inserm Transfert
• INRIA
• Universidad de Valparaiso
• Institut Pasteur
• Fundacio Parc Tauli
• Trinity College Dublin
• Erasmus Medical Centre
• Aviesan Alliance
• GSK
• Pfizer
• Sanofi
• Genzyme
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Merck Sharp & Dohme
• Pfizer Animal Health
• Debiopharm
• L’Oréal

And many more.  See you there

07 September 2011

Partnering is now open for the Tech Transfer Summit Europe.

All registered participants either already have, or will shortly, receive an email directly from the partnering managers providing login information.
For those not registered, there is still time!

Please make sure to fill in your profile, connect to your LinkedIn profile, and list your partnering interests, as well as licensing and technology offers.

It is important to note that this online partnering platform and business network will remain open and available to all TTS Europe and Global Initiative participants event after the Summit, so don't miss out on the launch of this key global partnering platform from TTS and powered by JuJaMa.

If you have not registered, see full details, including the TTS Europe programme and speakers, and register at http://www.techtransfersummit.com

Partnering for the TTS North America starts next week!
 

06 April 2011

Technology Transfer took centre stage in the European Commission's 2nd annual Innovation in Healthcare conference in Brussels last week on 30-31 March. 

While a number of key issues, such as access to capital for biotech companies, and establishing more favourable conditions for Institutional Investors to invest as Limited Partners in European VC funds were stressed, as were alternative sources of funding from foundations and patients organizations, along with issues such as the regulatory process, Healthcare Technology Assessment (HTA) and Reimbursement Harmonization, technology transfer was highlighted as a key stage in the value chain, and one where a lot of work needs to be done.

On our panel with the Managing Directors of 3 of Europe's top technology transfer organizations (Imperial Innovations, Karolinska Institute, and VIB Transfer), as well as a senior licensing executive from Sanofi-Aventis, and a European Investment Fund (EIF) representative involved in financing Venture Capital and technology Transfer Funds, we discussed the strengths of technology transfer in Europe, and the opportunities, but also the weaknesses, threats, and areas where real action needs to be taken now in order to foster better results in bringing new medicines and healthcare technologies to market.

While the focus was on technology transfer in Europe, and what new European initiatives can make a real difference, many of the lessons and messages where global.  In terms of threats, the panel identified a relative shortage of prospective TTOs with both scientific and business understanding, professional experience both in academia and in industry, and most importantly a real market and healthcare biotech industry understanding and a track-record of deals that have resulted in new drugs, diagnostics, or medical devices reaching the market and benefitting patients (while also providing real returns to the originating institution and researchers, and contributing to society and to economic growth and development).  Universities and research institutes have difficulty matching the salaries and conditions that industry can provide, so has a challenge both in recruiting and in retaining the right professionals.  A need for further specialized training and education, not just in how to file a patent or structure a license or a royalties agreement, but in understanding the market and its drivers, learning to work with investors and industry, and providing what the market and the pharma "customers" need, was highlighted as a key opportunity for European initiatives to fund such training and capacity building.  TTS Ltd and our partners of course stand ready to contribute to this, and of course already provide the key networking, best practices exchange, and relationship and deal building platform available for technology transfer in the life sciences.

The discussions and debates were extremely interesting, and all of these issues (and more) will be explored in much greater detail during 2 full days at the  Tech Transfer Summit North America, which takes place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland on 3-4 October 2011.

Looking  forward to seeing you there!

17 March 2011

With just 2 weeks to go until the European Commission's own "Innovation in Healthcare" conference in Brussels, we are looking forward to the most important biotech and healthcare innovation policy meeting of the year.   "Innovation in Healthcare: From Research to Market" conference on 30-31 March, is free of charge and in its first edition in 2010 established itself as the most important policy dialogue for the biotech sector in Europe, as well as a key networking opportunity since leading representatives of all key stakeholder groups (research, tech transfer, licensing, venture capital, pharma, industry, regulatory, patients organizations, reimbursement, European Commission, European Parliament, and national government) are all present. Over 550 participants are already confirmed and TTS Ltd is pleased to be organizing the session on "Innovative Knowledge Transfer" with top speakers from Dr. Patrick Tricoli, International Senior Director, Prospective and Strategic Initiatives, Scouting & Partnering, Tony Hickson, Managing Director, Imperial Innovations, Rudy Dekeyser, Managing Director, VIB Technology Transfer, Lilian Wickstrom, CEO, Karolinska Innovations, and Piyush Unalkat, Principal, Transaction Relationship Management (Technology Transfer), European Investment Fund.