From lab to market – two more case studies highlighting routes to success
Today the EPO publishes two more case studies and a podcast in its series on how technology transfer from university research teams can create new companies, new jobs and new markets. The series includes examples from Austria, Italy, Ireland, Sweden and Turkey. Each case study provides advice for researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them make better use of the patent system. They show how companies can adapt their patent strategy as it grows, in response to threats and opportunities, whilst balancing cashflow issues in the fragile early years.
The first case study is about Blubrake, a spin-off from the Politecnico di Milano which developed an award-winning anti-lock braking system for e-bikes and e-cargos. Incubator e-Novia provided industrial expertise combined with a smart patenting strategy, helping to turn university researchers into entrepreneurs and their technology into a market success. Despite the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has been growing fast by providing safety to green mobility. The accompanying podcast features Blubrake's co-founder and general manager Fabio Todeschini along with technology transfer expert Massimiliano Granieri, who also wrote the case study, and examines Blubrake's journey from research lab to market from their perspective.
The second case study looks at 3D printing technologies from Cubicure, one of a number of successful spin-out companies from the Technical University of Vienna that sprang from IP developed jointly with industry partner Ivoclar. A long-term strategy by the university`s technology transfer experts, based on a smart distribution of patent usage rights, led to commercialisation by Ivoclar and the creation of several start-ups that are still supporting each other.
Two additional case studies from Germany and Portugal will follow next month, together with a series of podcasts on our "Talk Innovation" channel.
Further information
Innovation case studies - the full series of EPO case studies
Technology transfer case studies
Advice and support for small and medium-sized enterprises
Talk Innovation - the EPO's podcast channel
Watch From Lab To Market: Successful Technology Transfer Journeys
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