Poster on the role of Research and Innovation Managers at the University of Antwerp presented at the Annual AUTM Meeting, New Orleans, March 2010

1. Technology Transfer at the University of Antwerp, Belgium:
The Industrial Research Fund and the Role of Research & Innovation Managers
VANESSA VANKERCKHOVENA, JURGEN JOOSSENSB , AND PASCALE REDIG C
, JURGEN JOOSSENS , AND PASCALE REDIG
AVaxinfectio (Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute), BADDN (Antwerp Drug Discovery Network), CTechnology Transfer Office, University of Antwerp, Belgium
(Vaccine & Infectious Institute) ADDN (Antwerp Drug Discovery Network), Transfer Office, University of Antwerp, Belgium
The University of Antwerp (UA) is one of the five Universities located in Flanders, the Flemish region in Belgium. The UA is a knowledge centre employing more than 3.600 co‐workers performing
y p g g g p y g p g 9 RESEARCH CONSORTIA contd
9 RESEARCH CONSORTIA contd
ground‐breaking and innovative research of international standing. The research expenditure for 2008 amounted to 107M€ of which 10% originated from industrial collaborations.
To facilitate collaborations with industrial partners and to investigate opportunities for technology transfer and innovation within the different Research Consortia at UA, Research & Innovation Development and research
managers have been appointed who closely collaborate with the central Technology Transfer Office. To date, 9 Research Consortia, which have been selected based on their research expertise and their UCAG of active compounds in
technology transfer potential, have been assigned a research & innovation manager. medicinal plants
9 RESEARCH CONSORTIA
PROFILE R&I MANAGERS Drug discovery network for
‘hit to lead’ and ‘lead p
Translational platform for
The Research & Innovation managers are Antwerp D
A t Drug optimalisation’
l ’ with
h a Pathophysiology bone technology
postdoctoral fellows that have a strong sense for R&I Research Discovery specific focus on infectious
business development, possess the necessary RIOFI Consortium
Network diseases, oncology, central
communication skills, have (project) management Manager nervous sytem
metabolic disorders
and
experience, have excellent networking skills and Innovative organic synthesis
are competent in attracting external research Organica methodology and VCD
funding. VAXINFECTIO Multidisciplinary platform analysis methods
They have a strong scientific background in the for infectious diseases and
for infectious diseases and
vaccines
research domain of the Consortium and are TASKS R&I MANAGERS
closely involved in the ongoing research projects. Imaging Biomedical imaging
The R&I managers have a large degree of • To offer strategic support in terms of valorisation of the Consortium
operational freedom (including his/her own Applied
research performed within their Consortium Development of technology
budget) and reports directly to the Consortium’s Molecular for molecular genomics
• To assess development of new technologies within their Genomics
Board and the Innovation Board of the University Consortium
(
(RIOFI).
) • To set‐up and maintain industrial and academic partnerships Environmental toxicology
The R&I managers are evaluated on a yearly Environmics and technology for a
• To assess possibilities of tech transfer, including licensing deals, sustainable world
basis and their personal performance indicators patents and spin‐offs, within their Consortium Electron microscopy for
are closely monitored. EMAT
• To apply for external researching funding, such as EU research of materials and
Successful R&I managers will be able to increase framework programmes nanotechnology
research output and internal growth of the • To enhance visibility and output of their Consortium
Consortium with direct benefit for the University.
Contact
Vanessa Vankerckhoven
Vaxinfectio
University of Antwerp
Universiteitsplein 1
BE‐2610 Antwerp (Wilrijk)
E: vanessa.vankerckhoven@ua.ac.be