EPO study: Technology transfer offices play a key role in commercialising research results

European higher education institutions and research institutions produce a wealth of inventions, but transforming them into products, services and new companies requires long-term work. A new study by the European Patent Office (EPO) highlights the importance of technology transfer offices (TTOs) in commercialising research results and strengthening European competitiveness.

TTOs help universities and research institutions protect inventions and bring them to market, for instance through licensing or new research-based companies. They connect research, companies and investors and support the transformation of inventions into commercial solutions.

Patenting rates have grown, commercialisation requires more investment

Six key findings from the EPO study:

The rate of patenting by research organisations has grown sharply, but growth has stabilised in recent years.
In Europe, the share of patent applications from universities rose from around one quarter of all patents based on university research to more than half between 2000 and 2021, and it is now close to the level of the United States.
The increase in patent ownership is not yet reflected in corresponding long-term results. European universities keep patents in force for a shorter period than US universities.
Most TTOs are small. Their resources and tasks vary considerably.
Small TTOs can operate effectively. However, greater resources enhance operations and make it easier to develop expertise.
Technology transfer resources are important for commercialisation. In particular, resources are associated with the creation of new companies and the commercial use of research results.

Research inventions are actively commercialised in Finland

In Finland, the patenting and commercialisation of research results are promoted by, for instance, Aalto University Innovation Services, the technology transfer and commercialisation company Helsinki Innovation Services Ltd of the University of Helsinki, and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. They promote the protection and licensing of inventions and the establishment of research-based companies.

“Successful technology transfer requires clear ground rules and contract terms that give both the research organisation and the company commercialising the technology the opportunity to benefit from commercial success in proportion to their investments and risks. The company must have sufficient rights to use and further develop the technology, as well as the necessary expertise, know-how and financing to bring the solution to customers,” says Jari Rantala, IPR Team Leader at VTT Digital Systems.

“A verified customer need, a clear division of responsibilities, and jointly agreed commercialisation objectives strengthen the conditions for success. The objective is not merely to transfer the technology, but to transform it into a profitable business and societal benefit,” Rantala sums up.

Patenting is important, but it is only one step on the journey from research to market. Commercialisation often requires years of development, financing, and business skills. The EPO study highlights the importance of strengthening TTOs for economic growth and European competitiveness.

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