Strengthening local innovation capacities to accelerate knowledge and technology transfer
TISCs and TTOs Report 2022
Foreword
Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) and Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) in developing countries, least developed countries (LDCs) and transition countries play a key role in accompanying local innovators on the journey from research to product.
Find out how TISCs and TTOs in 90 countries reinforce local innovation ecosystems and the transfer of knowledge and technology from academia to industry, and how WIPO supports them in this mission.
“Being part of WIPO’s TISC system has allowed us to take full advantage of the center’s resources and to make smarter decisions when using the patent system.”
Zhibo Yao, Qingdao Aibo Detection Technology Co., Ltd.
Photo: © Courtesy of Qingdao Aibo Detection Technology Co., Ltd.
Photo: © Courtesy of Qingdao Aibo Detection Technology Co., Ltd.
Key developments
In 2022, WIPO rolled out new resources and capacity-building programs to enable TISCs and TTOs worldwide to better support local innovators.
Read more to explore all initiatives, from the development of a resource package on knowledge and technology transfer for sustainable economic recovery after pandemics, to leading practical initiatives to support the TISC networks’ management to the establishment of the new Baltic States TTO Network, and hosting the International Knowledge and Technology Transfer Leadership Summit.
“I see the role of WIPO at two different levels. The first one is the international policy level, where WIPO facilitates an international dialogue on technology transfer. At the second level, WIPO develops tools, manuals and guides to help actors of the innovation ecosystem such as universities, technology transfer offices and public research organizations do their daily work. This two-level work will allow us to actively engage in helping both innovators and creators take their ideas from the lab to the market.”
Marco Alemán, Assistant Director General, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector
TISC/TTO network developments
With 1,400 centers in 90 countries, the global TISC network continued to grow, supporting local innovators at different stages of the innovation cycle. TISC staff assist innovators with using patent databases and performing patent searches, or provide advice on IP management and commercialization.
Technology transfer structures also continued to grow; in 2022, a Baltic States TTO Network was established, with the goal to promote knowledge and technology transfer among research and development institutions, businesses and the public sector in the region.
Signature of MoU between WIPO, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for the establishment of the Baltic States TTO Network, Vilnius, October 27, 2022 - Photo: WIPO
Signature of MoU between WIPO, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for the establishment of the Baltic States TTO Network, Vilnius, October 27, 2022 - Photo: WIPO
Resources
Video: Creation of Institutional IP Policies for Academic Institutions in the Arab Region
Video: Creation of Institutional IP Policies for Academic Institutions in the Arab Region
WIPO resources supporting TISCs and TTOs
As TISC and TTO networks expand and provide more services to local innovators, WIPO continues to support them with digital platforms and tools such as the WIPO INSPIRE digital knowledge center and a new IP and technology transfer webpage. We also provide new training and information resources on patent searches, IP management, technology transfer and institutional IP policies.
Patent Landscape Report on COVID-19 related vaccines and therapeutics (2022).
Patent Landscape Report on COVID-19 related vaccines and therapeutics (2022).
Accelerated life sciences innovation resources
The international IP system has been instrumental in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. In today’s post-pandemic world, WIPO focuses on the next global challenge – effective and sustainable economic recovery. To support member states in this process, we have been creating resources and training materials, for example, to improve technology transfer in accelerated life sciences innovation or to facilitate patent search and licensing in the areas of prophylactics, therapeutics, bio-analytics and bioinformatics for communicable diseases. The new resource package also includes a Patent Landscape Report on COVID-19 related vaccines and therapeutics (2022).
Getty images
Getty images
Looking ahead: new resources to respond to local needs
WIPO’s support for TISCs and TTOs will continue to respond to ever-changing needs of local innovators. In 2023, we are planning to produce over a dozen of new resources and projects, from manuals and reports to digital training packages and a distance learning course. The new resources will address current challenges for many innovation ecosystem players on the ground, for example, provide best practices for technology licensing, explore new ways to popularize insights from patent analytics research, or present ways to incentivize researchers to engage in technology transfer. See what’s in the pipeline for the year ahead!
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