a s c e n i o n: Three further research institutions choose Ascenion as marketing partner

Three further research institutions choose Ascenion as marketing partner

Munich, September 15, 2004 – The German Primate Centre (DPZ) in Göttingen, the Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) in Berlin-Buch and the Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben have each entered an alliance with Ascenion GmbH in order to further promote the commercial exploitation of their intellectual property (IP) assets. The Ascenion team will advice the institutions on all issues relating to the protection and exploitation of their intellectual property, market their patents, technologies and materials and mediate and follow up agreements with industry. All licence fees from the agreements mediated by Ascenion flow back to the research institutions, with Ascenion receiving a share of the profits.

With the completion of these new marketing partnerships, Ascenion GmbH has significantly strengthened its position as one of the leading German IP Asset Management Agencies in the life sciences. Ascenion now supports and advises seven life-science research institutions with more than 5,000 staff and a cumulative budget of approximately €290m per annum. Ascenion′s portfolio includes around 400 patent families and patent rights, together with numerous commercially interesting materials such as antibodies, cell lines and animal models. The portfolio covers all life-sciences areas, from biology, agrobiology and biotechnology, to medicine and medical technology.

Furthermore, the new partnerships are the first to be established between Ascenion and research institutions belonging to the Leibniz Association, and thereby successfully extend the concept of life-science-focussed technology transfer beyond the initial founding partnerships with institutions in the Helmholtz Association.

“The number of technologies marketed by Ascenion has thus increased by a third. This critical mass in the life-science area is an important component of our success and the basis of the professional and efficient service we offer our partners in research and industry,″ commented Christian Stein, Ascenion′s CEO. This strategy has met with measurable success: since its foundation in 2001, Ascenion has mediated over 80 agreements with industry, has facilitated the founding of four new companies and has raised over €3m for its partner research institutions.

Further Information

Ascenion GmbH

Ascenion is an intellectual property (IP) asset management agency with a clear life-science focus. Ascenion supports and advises scientists and research institutions with regard to the protection and exploitation of their intellectual property (patents), and initiates and mediates licence agreements between research institutions and industry. Among Ascenion′s particular strengths are start-up coaching and active investment management. Ascenion is a 100% subsidiary of the Life-Science Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Research and the exclusive commercialization partner for the DPZ, FMP, IPK, GBF, GSF, MDC and DKZF*. Ascenion′s headquarters are in Munich, with further offices in Berlin, Braunschweig and Neuherberg. More information at www.ascenion.de
* for the DKFZ, only in relation to findings from the NGFN

German Primate Centre (DPZ)

The German Primate Center (DPZ) performes biological and biomedical research with and on primates. This also includes the study and maintenance of free ranging primate populations and improvements in husbandry of the animals in human care. The Center provides different services to university and non-university institutes. The DPZ carries out research for man and its environment. Since the DPZ is unique in Germany and only one similar institute exists in Europe, the Center is of high supraregional importance.

Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP)

The Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) is engaged in basic research in molecular pharmacology. Its activities are devoted to the identification and utilisation of potential drug targets with the aim of developing novel concepts for pharmacologically active treatments. The FMP occupies a key position for mediating collaboration between different partners, and will constitute a forum of communication to improve the cooperation between basic university research and industrial drug development. The institute has strong links to the Free University, the Humboldt University of Berlin (Chemistry, Life Sciences), and the Charité – University Medicine Berlin. It is administratively organized within the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. Its basic budget is provided in equal parts by the Berlin Senate and the German Federal Government.

Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)

The Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) is an extra-university research institution and member of the Leibniz Association, funded at equal parts by both the Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt (Ministry of Culture) and the Federal Republic of Germany (Federal Ministry of Education and Research). Out of the present 31 Research Groups 29 are committed to plants and one each to yeasts and mammalian stem cells.