Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2006
Annual Report and Accounts 2006
Realising the commercial potential of Irish-based R&D is a major priority for Enterprise Ireland. Our aim is to accelerate the commercialisation of research by stimulating and facilitating interaction between industry and the research infrastructure.
Key actions in this regard included helping companies and researchers to bring new technologies to market, involving industry in leading the research agenda, strengthening the technology transfer function in universities and building applied research strengths in the institutes of technology.
Commercialisation Fund
The Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund is designed to bring new technologies to the market place by encouraging and facilitating high quality applied research aimed at the commercial exploitation of knowledge. The three phases of the fund - proof of concept, technology development and business development - mirror the steps required to take scientific principles and ideas into the commercial environment. In 2006, the fund supported 155 research projects through the proof of concept and technology development phases to the value of €29.7 million.
Our Biotechnology commercialisation team supports the commercialisation of applied bioresearch into technologies that will form the basis of new start-up companies or licences to established companies. During 2006, Enterprise Ireland invested €5.5 million in 14 new biotechnology research projects ranging from the development of nanosensors for diagnosing cardiovascular disease, to technology for the treatment of tumours in cancer patients. Nine technologies were licensed in the biotechnology area and three new high potential biotechnology companies emerged. In total, over €10 million was invested in initiatives and research projects to commercialise biotechnology research in Ireland, bringing investment in this area to over €40 million since 2001. Also in 2006, Biolink Canada-Ireland was formed to create opportunities for knowledge sharing, research partnering and commercialisation between the Lifesciences sectors in the two countries.
Our Informatics Commercialisation team supports the commercialisation of research in computing, software and telecommunications. In 2006, we supported 24 proof of concept projects and 14 technology development projects. Seven technologies were licensed and one high potential start-up company formed to bring a new technology to market. An Informatics Technology Commercialisation Showcase also presented eight commercialisation-ready projects to business angels, venture capitalists and companies and generated a large number of commercialisation leads.
Our Industrial Technologies team supports the commercialisation of technologies in a variety of industries in the manufacturing sector including Engineering, Electronics, Medical Devices, Food and Pharmaceuticals. In 2006, Enterprise Ireland supported 41 proof of concept projects and 23 technology development projects in this area. Eight technologies were licensed and three high potential start-up companies were formed. Enterprise Ireland presented 13 awards at the annual conference on Commercialisation of Research in Industrial Technologies to recognise the achievements of academic researchers who have successfully commercialised research funded under the Commercialisation Fund.
Industry-led research projects
In 2006 Enterprise Ireland continued to facilitiate collaboration between industry groups and academic research teams. The objective was to allow Irish companies in a specific sector to specify and lead research projects that will have commercial benefit and increase international competitiveness. As a result we approved two industry-led programmes which will lead to significant R&D projects.
In the first of these Enterprise Ireland, in collaboration with the Irish BioIndustry Association, launched a €2 million BioIndustry-Led Research Programme. Leading business managers and scientists working in this sector identified biodiagnostics and bioprocess monitoring as the priority areas. The R&D is being carried out on behalf of the companies by a team of leading academics from Irish universities.
In partnership with an industry group from the Wireless-Mobile Telecoms sector in Ireland and research groups in third-level institutions, Enterprise Ireland approved an industry-led research programme in building mobile IMS service creation tools and novel services. The adoption of an IP Multimedia Systems architecture by the Telecommunications industry will provide opportunities to roll out powerful new service offerings to customers.
Strengthening technology transfer expertise
Increasing the transfer of intellectual property and R&D from higher education institutions to industry is a key element of Enterprise Ireland's strategy. In May, Minister Micheál Martin announced the provision of a €30 million fund designed to build stronger and more professional technology transfer functions within higher education institutions in Ireland. This funding will ensure better economic returns from R&D investment, through the development of improved systems, procedures and expertise in technology transfer offices.
Enhancing regional research potential
Institutes of technology are important to balanced regional development. Enterprise Ireland supports the establishment of centres of excellence in applied research and assists the institutes of technology to compete successfully for national and international research funding. In 2006, our Applied Research Enhancement (ARE) programme was introduced on a national, non-competitive basis. ARE provides opportunities for the institutes to develop research capability in areas of strategic importance to the individual colleges and which are of relevance to industry in the particular region. To date, we have funded eight centres with an investment of €10 million.
