The mission of the Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU) at ICMAB is to translate the ICMAB research into social use via technology and knowledge transfer, through a process which provides social and economic benefits to the ICMAB, the Industry and the society.
We are approaching a quality improvement of our technology transfer processes, especially for new marketing opportunities of our research results. Following the KTU improvement plan developed in 2018, we have increased our Human Resources by incorporating new experts with strategic capabilities, especially in IP and Public-Private-Projects and International Technology Transfer issues.
To date we have filed and licensed a significant number of patents, and we are responsible of advising our researchers in IPR related matters.
The Knowledge Transfer Unit is formed in 2019 by Susana Garelik, Alfonso del Rey and Luis Sedano.
The ICMAB has signed many contracts and collaborations with different types of companies. In 2019, we signed 19 new contracts with a total Budget of 550.00 € with the following companies:
Some of the new contracts are confidential, and no company names are specified.
In addition, our researchers contribute by developing new knowledge in collaboration with our industrial partners in many European projects. The new ones in 2019 are:
Apart from these European Projects, one project of “La Marató de TV3” with a budget of 98.000 € and a “PRODUCTE” project from AGAUR with a budget of 100.000 € (SENSORAÏM) were awarded in 2019.
Moreover, 16 NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) and MTAs (Material Transfer Agreement) were signed.
In addition, our Scientific and Technical Services have been developing preparation and characterization sample experiments for industrial companies for an amount of 49.000 €.
In 2019, the ICMAB has applied for 4 patents:
The patent application “Minimally-invasive continuous clinical monitoring of small molecules” has been licensed to the startup Actualize Health.
A license option agreement has been signed with Biogents to develop the technology protected by the patent application “Insect repulsion and/or barrier arrangement and method for repelling insects” EP3473092 A1.
A new company has been created, Actualize Health. This new startup will develop new biosensors for small molecules analytes, due to a patent license agreement.
MATERPLAT
The Spanish Technological Platform for Advanced Materials and Nanomaterials (MATERPLAT) improves and increases the competitiveness of Spanish companies, for which materials and nanomaterials and their transformation processes are fundamental elements in the development and commercialization of their products and services. MATERPLAT develops a framework for meeting and collaboration between the different agents of the National Business, Science and Technology System interested in promoting the research, development and application of Advanced Materials and Nanomaterials.
We have participated in several meetings of this platform in 2019, including the MATERPLAT General Assembly 2019 (26 November). It is an important forum from to build and strength a fruitful networking with companies in this sector.
INDUCIENCIA
The Science Industry sector is made up of the organizations dedicated to the conception, design, construction, operation and maintenance of scientific facilities and instruments in any field. INDUCIENCIA is a structured forum, led by the industry, in which all interested agents: companies, universities, scientific centers and technological centers participate and collaborate, to jointly define the objectives of research and technological development in the medium and long term, with a clear market orientation. It contributes to the advancement of science and technology and the strengthening of technological innovation and constitutes a growing market, generator and user of new technologies, intensive in R&D and in which the transfer of knowledge and experiences is bidirectional and constant among the innovative agents.
We have participated in several meetings of this platform in 2019 and are building a strong networking with companies in this sector
Other Technology Platforms
Some of our researchers also participate in the following Technolgy Platforms:
CMAV (ADVANCED MATERIALS CLUSTER)
We are members of the nanotechnology and advance manufacturing work groups in CMAV Cluster. We are leading the NANOHUB project that will enable the search of nanotechnology equipment’s and capacities of the members of the cluster.
SECPHO
We are members of SECPHO since 2019. The Secpho Cluster is focused on promoting technological innovation through the application of deep technologies, mainly photonics or technologies based on light, to all types of sectors of our economy. We are participating in this cluster to improve the generation of business opportunities for companies, the access to new innovation projects, and to support and foster innovation in the field of deep tech, mainly photonic and optic technologies.
Open Innovation Forum
The ICMAB participated in the industrial challenges committee in the 2019 edition. ICMAB researchers had several meetings with companies to discuss their challenges and possible solutions.
Barcelona IOT congress
The ICMAB participated in the Brokerage event in October 2019. By participating in the 20-minute pre-scheduled B2B meetings, we had the chance to find contacts to build new cross-border international business and technology partnership.
Foro Transfiere 2019
Some of the ICMAB technologies were featured in the event.
NANOTECH Japan
Some of the ICMAB technologies were showed in the event
PRUAB Ideas Generation competition
Camille Dore, from the Nanostructured Materials for Optoelectronics and Energy Harvesting ICMAB Scientific Group (NANOPTO) was part of the team that won the 2019 edition, with a project for the production of cellulose food packaging.
Seminars organized
“Research collaborations in the Pharmaceutical Industry” by Maribel Crespo from ALMIRALL, Director of Research Alliances Department, was organized on November 2019, with a high participation of ICMAB researchers.
Business Fair UB
We participated in the 2019 fair launched by the UB faculties of the areas of Sciences and Engineering: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science, Earth Sciences and Biology. This is an opportunity for the students to meet companies and research centers related to the studies they are carrying out.
Nanomol Technologies, S.L. delivers advanced solutions to obtain high-added value products by particle technologies and nanoformulation. We offer our Proprietary Platforms for the formulation of innovative functional materials, together with advanced cGMP particle characterization services.
Nanomol Technologies was Founded in 2010 by academic researchers from Materials Science Institute of Barcelona — CSIC, having wide expertise and recognized excellence in the synthesis, processing, and study of molecular functional materials.
Located in the Barcelona Autonomous University Research Park, Nanomol is provided with excellent interaction with scientific technical services, academic research groups and biotech, pharmaceutical and chemical companies. Nanomol Technologies has developed and commercializes DELOS proprietary platforms, useful to innovate, develop or improve new and existing products in areas like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biocides and medical devices.
Team
Highlights 2019
OXOLUTIA SL is a technology-based spin-off company derived from the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB) from the SUMAN group. They focus on the scale-up of oxide functional thin films prepared by low-cost techniques just as ink-jet printing, being high-temperature superconducting films the main present focus.
CEO: Albert Calleja
Highlights 2019