The University of Sassari, Sardinia - Italy
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The University of Sassari
The University of Sassari is one of the most ancient of Italy
The University was founded by Alessio Fontana, a distinguished gentleman of
the town of Sassari, in 1558. The official opening dates back to the month of
May 1562. It was firstly run by the Jesuits.
On 9 February 1617 Philip III conceded the statute of royal university to the
Jesuit college.
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The University of Sassari
The Rector of the University
is professor Attilio Mastino
Full Professor of Roman History at University of Sassari
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The University of Sassari
Today, the University, which is of small-medium size in Italy,
has a total number of over 15,000 students and around 1,000 post
graduate
The University staff includes:
 214 Full professors
 252 Associate professors
 253 Lecturers and assistant
professors
 610 Technicians and
administrative staff
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The University of Sassari
The research structures :
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13 Departments
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23 Libraries
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5 Excellence and Competence
Centres
Biotechnologicies; Biodiversity; Marine Biodiversity;
Food technologies; Climate monitoring and risks
prevention
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The University of Sassari
International Academic Cooperation
The University of Sassari has signed
agreements of academic
Cooperation with a lot of Universities Foreign Universities on the
Socrates - Erasmus Programme.
and Research Centers.
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European and extra-european Universities
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Visiting Professors (from Japan, Canada,
U.S.A., Australia, Algeria, India, China,
Cuba, Brasil, Venezuela, Colombia, Russia,
etc.)
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Porto Conte Ricerche – Science Park
Profile
Porto Conte Ricerche, established in 1995 and held by Sardegna Ricerche, the Province
of Sassari and the Municipality of Alghero, pursues R&D, technology transfer and
training in the fields of agri-food technologies, applied biotechnologies, ICT.
The company also manages the northern centre of Polaris, the Technology Park of
Sardinia.
Managed by a Sole Director appointed by the Shareholders' Meeting. The company’s
other governance bodies are a Board of Auditors and a Scientific Steering Committee.
Porto Conte Ricerche campus currently hosts
22 enterprises and research centres operating
in the following sectors: ICTs, Biomedicine,
Health technologies and Industrial
biotechnologies, employing about 90 people
overall.
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Porto Conte Ricerche – Science Park
Technology platforms
Porto Conte Ricerche has the following technology platforms comprising scientific equipment,
devices and know-how available for use by all tenants:
Food technology and microbial biotechnology
Housed in an industrial building of about 800 sqm, comprises
several units – divided into traditional and innovative
processes – providing a broad range of services to the
agrifood industry and allied sectors.
Magnetic resonance and analytical chemistry
The platform is equipped for performing tests and delivering
services for food certification applications and for structural
and functional studies on isolated biological molecules and
macromolecules, as well as studies "in vivo". Equipment
includes a high-resolution NMR spectrometer and a
micro-imaging spectrometer.
Proteomics and immunoproteomics
It is currently one of the most comprehensive and
state-of-the-art laboratories in Italy.
The services offered by the platform address both
systematic proteomics and differential proteomics.
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Porto Conte Ricerche – Science Park
University of Sassari – artificial vision laboratory
Established in 2004 to pursue research in the fields of
engineering, image processing and smart camera-based
systems. Main areas of interest are biometric recognition,
visual inspection, and video surveillance of restricted
access areas.
Laboratory of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
The lab focuses on advanced research in the field of
nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. It also performs
characterization of traditional materials, in particular for
the building construction and design industry.
Cybersar
Cybersar is a consortium for supercomputing,
computational modelling and the management
of large databases.
Other tenants:
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The Technology Transfer Office was created in
may 2006 thanks to national and regional funds
addressed to the developement of TT services and
networks between italian and sardinian universities:
the ‘national’ project ILONET was leaded by the
University of Sassari and involved the Universities
of Milan-Bicocca, Genoa and Cagliari; the ‘regional’
project involved the University of Cagliari and the
regional Agency for research and innovation.
The TTO was setted as a light structure of
interface and connection between scientific
research of the University and private or public
entities to stimulate and manage Technology
Transfer processes.
It was thought as a tool to create new opportunities
for regional development.
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The TTO was established with the aim of:
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Encouraging the dissemination and exploitation of research
results promoting their transfer, specially to regional SMEs;
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Promoting and supporting the protection of intellectual property
rights of researchers and University of Sassari;
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Promoting and supporting the emergence of new companies and
spin off from research;
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Promoting and supporting participation of the University in
innovation and technology transfer programs and projects
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TTO’s main areas of activity are:
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Communication, dissemination and help desk;
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Supporting University head in establishing appropriate policies;
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Technology scouting;
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Exploitation of research products;
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Supporting to pateting;
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Supporting to business planning and business incubation;
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Building relationships with companies and local community;
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Project planning and management;
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Networking.
www.ilo.uniss.it
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Communication, dissemination and help desk
We send a weekly bulletin called Arianna to almost 400 researchers and
over 100 companies
In which we list underline in categories
and scientific fields:
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local, national and international sources
for funding applied research and TT;
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opportunities of partnership;
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news and events on technology transfer
opportunities for prizing, grants,
scholarships, etc.
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Communication, dissemination and help desk
We organize lectures and seminars in the departments, PhD schools or first level courses when
requested.
We manage a research database developed in networking with University of Cagliari and
Sardinian innovation agency “Sardegna Ricerche” with a section dedicate to matching
enterprises’ technology needs and research demand with research offer and academic
know how
In the research database are not only collected all
the products of research and expertise of
researchers, but also the equipment, laboratories
and services available to business
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Supporting University heads in establishing appropriate policies
In the first year of operation, the ILONET network has approved shared guidelines to manage all
the main technology transfer activities.
All the universities involved have created or renewed their internal regulations in accordance
with these.
The working group has also agreed on standardized contract terms, timed standard
procedures for spin off creation and patent applications, templates of corporate charters,
shareholder agreements, ndas, license agreements.
IP regulation
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University’s patent committee
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Clarification of legal rights and duties
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University ownership vs Inventors’ ownership (income shares and maintaining)
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Unstructured researchers - rights and duties
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Obligations of confidentiality and utmost cooperation
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First filing charges and extensions
Technology scouting
We monitor the research database and requests of support that arrive at the
Research Office looking to pick up the most interesting issues.
We contact the researchers and arrange meetings in their departments and
laboratories to investigate if there might be opportunities for exploitation.
Currently our main scouting tools are the ‘innovation disclosure form’ and the
business plan competition ‘Start Cup Sardegna’
Supporting to pateting
Supporting to business planning and business incubation
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Supporting University heads in establishing appropriate policies
Spin Off creation
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Definition and scope of spin-off ‘supported’ (Academic Spin Off) or
‘shareholded’ (University Spin Off) by the University
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Who can submit / rules for the allocation of shares (USO’s external associates
share <50%)
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Equity participation (USO) between 5% and 15%
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Clauses in statute and shareholder agreement to protect the University
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Rules for the participation of University staff
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Conflict of interests regulation
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Procedure for the appointment of a spin-off firm
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Rule to manage relationships between University and spin off: licensing,
communications, incubation, use of the logo
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Support to business planning and spin off creation
Business Plan competition
www.startcupsardegna.it
Mission
support creation and enhancement of
innovative companies and promote the local
economic development based on knowledge,
spreading enterpreneurship culture with
particular attention to research environment
How?
delivering training seminars "pills of entrepreneurship“;
selecting the best business ideas and groups giving them the assistence of a
consultant for the preparation of a full business plan;
supporting groups in the company establishment and start-up
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Support to business planning and spin off creation
Start Cup Sardegna is one of the
local/regional competitions of the
National Prize for Innovation
Achievements in 4 years:
2009
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• extensive local partnership
• 133 business ideas collected (62 in Sassari)
• 265 participants in groups
• 26 business plans submitted (13 Sassari)
• 6 companies created with the support of the
University of Sassari
• Prizes paid € 97,000
• 150 participants at the seminars "Entrepreneurship
pills" in Sassari
Spin off company
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CEO
Industrial field and main activities
Oben s.r.l.
Fallavollita Paolo
[email protected]
Engineering – Development and production of Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles and its sensors
Sane Biometrics s.r.l.
Sanna Massimo
[email protected]
ICT - Development of innovative software for biometric identification
Bioecopest s.r.l.
Ruiu Luca
[email protected]
Biotech – Research,development, patenting and licensing of new
biopesticides
HydrogenEra s.r.l.
Mulas Gabriele
[email protected]
Energy – Mechanochemical processes for hydrogen production
Tourism Plus s.r.l.
Usai Antonio
[email protected]
Tourism/ICT – Booking and services delivery systems on mobile
devices
Lea Nanotech s.r.l.
Mura Stefania
[email protected]
m
Bio-Nanotech – bio-nanotechnology applied to the food industry (smartbio packaging) and veterinary medicine
Vis.po s.r.l.
Garau Giorgio
[email protected]
Economics/Statistics - computing activities for the assessment and
monitoring of public policies
Xeniabiotech s.r.l.
Iaccarino Ciro
[email protected]
Biotech - Automated production of recombinant proteins
Uni-Strains s.r.l.
Farris G.Antonio
[email protected]
Biotech – Selection and production of starter yelts for wine industry
Sardinia Research
and Development
S.r.l.
Rubino Salvatore
[email protected]
Biotech - Research and development of immunological reagents and
diagnostic kits production
Support to pateting
Prior art and patentability
Quarterly meetings with experienced patent
agents
Patent filing with the support of experienced
patent agents
Evaluation of technology and licensing activities with the support of specialized
companies
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Project planning and management
ILONET for the creation of the technology transfer office of € 1.027.950
financed by the Minister of University for € 580.392 (25% managed by Uniss) ;
ILON@ Sardegna for the develop of sardinian technology transfer officies of
Sassari and Cagliari of € 840.000 (50% managed by Uniss) financed by the
Regional Government;
Innovation Regional Network € 1.200.000 (30% managed by Uniss)
financed by the Regional Government;
Innova.Re of 25,6 ML/€ (30% managed by Uniss) financed by the Regional
Government to enforce Regional network of innovation and specific technology
transfer projects (researchers on firms, start up creation and enahncement,
incubators, collaborative research, patenting and licensing, networking, etc.)
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What we have done:
Networking,
The University of Sassari’s TTO makes part of Netval, Proton Europe and PNI
Cube networks
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Overview of technology transfer in Italy
Netval was founded in November 2002
as a network for universities and then,
in September 11th, 2007, it was
reformed into an association.
51.7% of the total number of Italian
Universities, 72% of their students
and 75.3% of their professors.
Interestingly, Netval gathers 78.2% of
the Italian teaching staff working in
scientific and technology-related
fields, 88% of the total number
university spin-offs (n=716), and
accounts for 95.8% of active patents
owned by Italian Universities.
Netval has already activated several initiatives, such as:
• several training sessions for TT-related university professional profiles;
• the identification of issues of fundamental importance for TT development and the
following organization of thematic work-groups;
• the interaction with national and foreign Ministries and Agencies;
• the participation in the EU ProTon Europe association, as a representative for Italy.
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Overview of technology transfer in Italy
The role of TTOs in the Italian Universities
So far, 58 Italian Universities have been equipped with a TTO; 91.4% of them have been founded
after the year 2001. As a general rule, a single TTO operates within a single university, being part of
its organization chart. Nonetheless, its range of action is not limited to a single field.
63.8% of TTOs also have access to a
specific budget, which amount to 7 million €,
with an average sum of 240 thousand € per
university (over double as compared to 2003
values).
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Overview of technology transfer in Italy
From inventions to patents
As far as IP rights indicators are concerned during the whole process, from an invention to a
patent, the annual average number of disclosures and priorities - with an progressively rising
trend during the early stages of the survey time span - appears to keep a stable pace between 20072008 (9 inventions reported and 5.3 priority claims submitted), while the average number of
registrations (10.5 applications per TTO in 2008) shows a steady increase during the survey time
Annual licences vary from an average of 1-2
per TTO during the survey time span, while
the average volume of active patent
portfolio (applications and licences
included) – that accounts for 42.4 items in
2008 – appears to be steadily increasing
between 2005-2008
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Overview of technology transfer in Italy
Younger and smaller TTOs show a progressive increase
in the volume of priority claims (mostly, Italian). On the
other hand, the number of patent applications
submitted to EPO by more experienced TTOs, is
radically increasing (mostly extensions).
As far as the average earmarking of funds for IPP
activities is concerned , during the last year,
experienced TTOs, along with those Universities which
allocate more resources for IPR protection, have
reached a certain stability in terms of expenditure,
probably thanks to training sessions and/or a more
efficient management of financial resources, as those
Universities show a great interest in expensive
extensions and nationalizations.
Licensing activities
In 2008, 86 license and option contracts were
stipulated, around 70% of which regards patents, 73.5%
has exclusive clauses and 28.7% is associated with
spin-off firms. On average, in 2008, every university
registered two contracts (twice as much as in 2003),
while the average number of licenses and options
stipulated during that year, which generated shortterm returns on assets amounts to one per TTO
(+150% compared to 2003).
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Overview of technology transfer in Italy
The average revenues obtained from
licensing agreements during the year,
despite their low volume (17.6 thousand €
per TTO in 2008), show a considerable
increase compared with 2003 values
(+220%), and 2007 (+30.4%), due to the
quality and expanding activities of highperformance universities, which have
already matched EU standards
With a steadily increasing portfolio on
December 31st, 2008, active license and/or
option contracts amount to 245 in total and
correspond to an average value of 5.7 contracts
per university: +240% more than 2003 values.
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Overview of technology transfer in Italy
Spin-off firms as an opportunity for development
The survey on Italian spin-offs shows a clear
increase of this trend from the year 2000. Almost
90% of the 806 active spin-offs, currently reported in
Italy, was created during the last nine years and almost
80% is located in the central and northern regions of
Italy, where Universities are more active. On
December 31st, 2009, the Emilia-Romagna region
reported the highest number of spin-off firms. Lower,
but still considerable, concentration levels, are
reported in Lombardy, Tuscany, Piedmont, Latium and
Friuli Venezia Giulia.
In numerical terms, spin-off firms created between
2004-2008 by the 69 Universities which responded
show a average value of one or two per annum. In
2008, universities generated 110 new spin-off firms,
i.e. an average 1.6 firms per university. During the
survey time span, the average number of spin-off
firms, generated each year by the most efficient
Universities, may vary from 6 to 8 units, showing a
2008 value four times as large as the average value
reported by the same Universities.
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Overview of technology transfer in Italy
Achievemnts of PNI up to 2010: the companies
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336 technology start-up generated (of which 298 are still active)
78.9 million euros on sales (average 298 k euros)
1,462 employees
134 patents
60 companies are shareholded by VC, BA or medium-sized enterprises
14 companies have a turnover > 1 million euros
61 companies have sales of between 200,000 and 1 million euros
2 million euros of cash contributions provided by PNI and Start Cups
Contacts
University of Sassari
Technology Tranfer Office
Francesco Meloni
Tel
Fax
Email
Email
URL
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+39 079 22 88 65
+39 079 22 9802
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.ilo.uniss.it