LifeArc launches Technology Transfer Fellowships

LifeArc, a leading UK medical research charity, is delighted to launch a new Technology Transfer Fellowship programme in partnership with Imperial Innovations, Queen Mary Innovation and UCL Business (UCLB), the technology transfer offices for Imperial College London, Queen Mary University London and University College London, respectively. The new initiative will provide successful Fellowship applicants with training and experience in four of London’s leading technology transfer environments.

The LifeArc Technology Transfer Fellowship programme has been designed to address a shortfall in the number and in the skills of aspiring technology transfer professionals. The new programme will offer four Fellowships and will run for an initial 12-month period from March 2019, with full funding provided by LifeArc.

Dr Andrew Tingey, Head of Healthcare Licensing at Imperial Innovations, said: “We’re delighted to be joining LifeArc, Queen Mary Innovation and UCLB in hosting LifeArc Fellows. Our long-established internship programme has supported young professionals in their development in the field of technology transfer for more than five years, and we look forward to working with the first intake of LifeArc Fellows.”

Dr Graeme Brown, Director of Technology Transfer at QML & Executive Director of QMI, said: “Queen Mary Innovation is delighted to be working with our partner organisations in this fantastic new initiative, and we very much look forward to welcoming the new LifeArc Fellows as they begin their career in technology transfer.”

Dr Anne Lane, Interim Managing Director, UCLB: “We’re pleased to be supporting the LifeArc Fellowship, working with LifeArc, Imperial Innovations and Queen Mary Innovation on this new initiative, investing in developing the next generation of scientists to join the exciting world of technology transfer.”

Imperial Innovations, Queen Mary Innovations, UCLB and LifeArc will host the Fellows, who will complete 3-month rotations at each technology transfer office. Fellows will receive focused training on distinct topics at each transition (e.g. spin outs, technology assessment, IP management, accessing proof of concept translational funding, licensing and deal valuations, drug discovery).

Successful candidates will have a background in life sciences, a genuine aptitude and enthusiasm for describing complex scientific information in accessible terms combined with a passion for driving technologies along their respective development paths towards the patients who need them.

The participation of four leading life science technology transfer organisations in the training will provide the new Fellows with exposure to a broad range of activities, expertise, science, technology mix and technology transfer practices. Each technology transfer office will provide a distinct Fellowship training experience:

Queen Mary Innovation: Early stage engagement with scientists, assessment of technology disclosures (including due diligence and basics of intellectual property management) and proof of concept funding
Imperial Innovations: the formation and management of spin-out companies
LifeArc: Early stage drug discovery (target selection, due diligence and intellectual property management with focus on ‘composition of matter’ patents, research collaborations)
UCLB: Licensing transactions, deal valuation and marketing

Commenting on the Fellowships, Andrew Farquharson, LifeArc’s Executive Director, Technology Transfer and Business Development, emphasised the scheme’s overarching objectives; “The scheme is a collaborative effort among the technology transfer community to enhance the quality of services we provide to our academics, funders and industrial partners. Participating Fellows will not only benefit from training but from insight into four of London’s premier life sciences technology transfer offices. Ultimately we, and our TTO partners, expect this programme to help more valuable life sciences innovations make it to the patients who need them.”

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