In Pictures: UCL among four top universities bringing inventors and industry together at IP4U

Industry specialists from across the continent came together to discover new technologies from four of the UK’s leading universities.

With a focus on Sustainability and Future Health, IP4U brought together researchers and inventors from the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Oxford University and UCL whose innovations could be game-changing for industry and wider society.

Held at Imperial’s South Kensington Campus, discussion panels with the leaders of the Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) of the four universities opened each day, inspiring those in attendance to learn more about the role of tech transfer.

Throughout the two days, the exhibition space was host to conversation between over a hundred academics and hundreds of industry members from a range of sectors and companies.

Formal scheduled meetings were also held in dedicated meeting spaces, in order for more intimate and detailed conversations to take place and set in motion the opportunities for partnering between industry, academics and multiple partners.

Discussing the hot topics of tech transfer and more

At the start of each day, attendees gathered for plenary sessions on the topics of Sustainability (Day 1) and Future Health (Day 2), featuring the senior leaders of the TTOs.

On day one, the opening panel session was chaired by Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, focusing on the role of TTOs  in creating a sustainable future, topics such as; the role of initiatives, partnership and goal-setting were debated with the importance of collaboration emerging as a core theme.

Day two of the event was focused on the theme of future health, with many exhibitors showcasing excellent live demonstrations and pieces of equipment. The day two panel was aptly chaired by Sally Mardikian, Director, Transactions at AstraZenca. Questions such as the role of AI in healthcare research as well as the future of funding for the sector were discussed, with many panel members highlighting the nuisances of commercialising life science research.

Across the two days quick fire presentations also took place from a number of TTO members across the universities. These myth-busting and informative sessions broke down some of the common questions and misconceptions concerning the role of TTO’s in facilitating the journey of academic research into market. UCLB Senior Business Managers Mark Harding and Weng Wong took part in these sessions.

This event was brought to you by…

Alongside the four TTOs, there was generous support from sponsors for the event. These were:

Platinum sponsors: Mishcon de Reya

Gold sponsors and drinks reception sponsors: Imperial Business Partners and Medtech To Market

Gold sponsors: Barker Brettell, D Young & Co., Kilburn & Strode, Marks & Clerk, Mathys & Squire and Taylor Wessing

 

Image credit: ASV Photography Ltd.