Fostering Networks

In recent months, Ascenion has participated in a number of international events in order to exchange experience, market licensable technologies and help improve technology transfer standards across the globe.

From California...
This years’ BIO Annual Convention in San Diego, US, was very effective in establishing Ascenion as a premier point of access to life science IP emanating from public research institutions in Germany. During the event, Ascenion presented selected technologies to international business developers. Many of these onsite meetings triggered strong interest from industry and resulted in an ongoing transatlantic dialogue. “I have appreciated our communications at BIO and ever since then. I think you are in the top tier of business development people who were at BIO in terms of being responsive and following up,” Judith I. Blakemore, U.S. Biotechnology Business Development Consultant, comments.

...to Japan
During this year’s Science and Technology in Society (STS) forum in Kyoto, Japan, over 750 delegates from 91 countries discussed key issues of environmental policy, energy development, food supply, communication technology, intellectual property and technology transfer. For the first time, young scientists were invited to contribute their views to the debate on the social impact of science and technology development. “Overall, the meeting is becoming more influential in decision making,” Dr. Christian Stein, CEO of Ascenion comments, who joined the event as speaker. This was also reflected by the German delegation, which included the Ministry of Education and Research, Annette Schavan, as well as key decision makers from industry and public research. With regards to IP and technology transfer, a major conclusion was that a worldwide pro-innovation IP infrastructure was needed to drive the advancement of science and technology for global socio-economic development. “The focus was very much on infrastructure”, Stein emphasises. “So far, basic research seems to be a ‘technology-transfer-free area’ in most countries across the globe – which means that we first need to focus on education, building up technology transfer offices and the like.”

BioVaria: Germany’s top technologies
The first BioVaria, held in Munich in May 2008, brought together more than 150 delegates from international biopharmaceutical companies and Germany’s top universities and research institutions. Around 50 patent-protected technologies including research tools, diagnostics and therapeutics were presented in 10-minute presentations and an all-day poster exhibition. This innovative meeting provided a comprehensive overview and ample opportunity to discuss technologies of interest face-to-face with the inventor. The event received outstanding feedback from participants who strongly encouraged the organisers to make it a regular event.

Save the date for BioVaria 2009
The next BioVaria will be held in Munich on May 8, 2009. A range of top-tier partners and sponsors have already signed up. Are you interested in joining us as presenting inventor, partner, sponsor or participant? Find further information at: www.biovaria.org

"Clearly a ‘missing link’ in the German conference scene...”
"Very good gathering of academic opportunities from Germany...”
"Plenty of valuable contacts... we had some specific follow-on discussions for concrete projects already."

3rd Biotech Networkshop: Learn from seasoned managers
Ascenion and Max Planck Innovation are happy to announce their 3rd Biotech Networkshop to be held on 4th–6th March, 2009 at the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing. In response to participants’ feedback from previous years, the organizers came up with a new format to provide even more space for networking and individual consulting. For the first time, entrepreneurs will be invited to present their business concepts at the beginning. “The goal, however, is not to convince the audience through glossy presentations but rather to provide the basis for networking and fruitful discussions throughout the workshop”, Isabel von Korff, Technology Manager with Ascenion comments. Following their presentations, founders will have the opportunity to gain advice from experienced life-science executives, either in workshops or in individual coaching sessions. On the second day, business developers and experts from the financial community will join to introduce various financing vehicles. More details on the program will be made available in due course.

The workshop addresses entrepreneurs at Max Planck Institutes and Ascenion’s partner institutions. Are you interested? Please contact Isabel von Korff at korff(at)ascenion.de