Commercialising Australian Biotechnology - Lessons from Academia

11-Aug-2010

On 7 July 2010 Watermark assisted with presenting a special themed session on commercialisation at the Australian Society of Microbiology (‘ASM’) annual scientific meeting held at the Sydney Convention Centre.

The aim of the session was to provide some insight into ways in which balance can be achieved between having an academic research career and commercialising an invention. Overall, the quality of each of the presentations was exceptional and well received by the audience.

The speakers were:

• Associate Professor Elizabeth Harry, The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney NSW
• Professor Nick Dixon, Professor of Biological Chemistry at the University of Wollongong NSW
• Research Associate Steven Polyak, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide SA
• Professor Tim Hirst, Managing Director, Hirst Shabian & Hirst Advisory and Investment Service

Associate Professor Elizabeth Harry,  “Working with industry works!”

  Elizabeth Harry spoke of her experience gained from her investigation of regulators of bacterial cell division. Elizabeth employed a global protein analysis technique (proteomics) to identify potential drug targets in Bacillus subtilis, most commonly found in soil, and subsequently validated these for Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of hospital-acquired antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. Validation of identified targets is on going.

Elizabeth also spoke of her work with validating medical honey as a therapy for preventing and treating biofilm-related (chronic) wounds. Ongoing research will attempt to identify the components that give medicinal honey its antibacterial properties.

Elizabeth commented that working with industry can increase a researcher’s profile and open doors for future collaborations and funding support. Certain aspects, such as the requirement to undertake agreements, and the unpredictability and secrecy surrounding working with an industry partner, do require consideration.

Professor Nick Dixon - “The TT-Lock: Discovery, Applications in Diagnostics, and Commercialization”

The well studied bacterium, Escherichia coli, has a DNA binding protein ‘Tus’ which binds to a specific DNA sequence called ‘Ter’. Nick explained that modifying the Ter sequence allows for the formation of extremely stable Tus-Ter complexes (TT-Lock) that have half-lives in the order of 10 hours, as opposed to a number of minutes. Numerous applications have arisen from this observation.

Nick detailed a timeline which included dates on which patent applications were filed, but also the dates of journal publications disclosing the invention. Thus, Nick’s presentation was a clear example that a balance can be achieved between commercialisation and academic research. Nick is currently looking for an early-stage licensee in the fields of diagnostics and research tools to further commercialise the technology.

Dr Steven Polyak - “Biotin Protein Ligase as a novel antibiotic target: The road from target identification to preclinical candidates”

One well accepted strategy for developing new antibiotics is to identify novel targets for which there are no pre-existing resistance mechanisms. Biotin protein ligase (BPL) of Staphylococcus aureus is one such target as it is an essential protein that is responsible for the post-translational attachment of biotin to biotin-dependent enzymes.

Steven spoke of the development of technologies allowing the identification of novel inhibitors of BPL which arose from solving the crystal structure of the protein. Several targets have been identified, and in vivo trials are currently underway.

Consideration of costs, freedom to operate and the timing for applying for patent protection, are issues which must be factored into any sound commercialisation strategy. Steven emphasised that one can only strengthen their patent position by having a sound strategy that involves the protection of increasingly novel intellectual property.

Professor Tim Hirst - “Getting it right - survival in a time of commercialisation”

Tim Hirst has had significant commercialisation experience and is currently spear-heading two principal initiatives: (i) as Executive Chairman of Gamma Vaccines Pty Ltd, and (ii) as Managing Director of AusLicense Ltd, a boutique investment fund investing in license-based transactions.

Tim started his presentation by expressing his view that if researchers use tax payer funded grants, they have a moral obligation (to the tax payers) to commercialise their inventions if the opportunity arises.

Tim next presented a list of issues which he considers to greatly influence the successful commercialisation of academic-owned intellectual property. These included:

• The Australian government’s National Innovation Policy which directs innovation spending.
• Reward structures within universities/institutions.
• Quality of the university’s/institute’s technology transfer office, and their business development and intellectual property management policies.
• Correctly identifying commercial opportunities.
• Finance - obligatory but by no means the principal reason for success.

Tim presented two case studies in line with these issues highlighting that the pathway to commercialising an invention can be complex. However, there are rewards available to those who are persistent and have a sound strategy for identifying and protecting their intellectual property.

Summary

The presentations clearly showed that commercialising academic innovation is possible. As with industry-derived innovation, maximising any benefits from commercialising academic innovation will be dependent on strength of strategies used to capture and protect intellectual property. Thus, particularly in academic and institutional research environments, great emphasis is placed on diligent record keeping and document management. Importantly, commercialisation strategies must be set in place as early as possible and must go beyond the consideration of gaining patent protection. Seeking as much advice as early as possible will ensure that the best outcome may be achieved.

Dr Chris Vindurampulle would like to thank the speakers, the ASM conference organisers, particularly Dr. Jon Iredell and Associate Professor Andrew Holmes, and also Marisa Bertoldo and Dr. John Golding from Watermark for their invaluable assistance in organising the session.

Chris Vindurampulle, PhD