Our Translation team proactively work with research scientists, as they are undertaking their research, to identify possible new discoveries with strong clinical and commercial potential.

A rigorous and well-defined internal evaluation process is designed to determine if an invention can be protected and to identify the most suitable routes to get new cancer therapies and diagnostics to market.

It is important for scientists to protect the materials and information they share with other scientists. We can advise on and prepare Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Confidentiality Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), and Consultancy Agreements. Non-published data, ideas, inventions and other confidential information can constitute valuable intellectual property and should also be protected prior to publication (see Intellectual Property section below for details).

Learn more about MTAs and CDAs 

We work with our scientists and research institutions to explore the most appropriate form of IP protection, to enable the potential for the invention to be realised.

The filing of a patent application is the most common way to protect an invention. We have extensive experience in filing, managing and commercialising patent applications.

We appreciate that finding the resources to fund the up-front costs of filing and prosecuting patent applications can pose problems for scientists and research institutions. We therefore cover these costs, only recouping our outlay if we are successful in securing a commercial partner committed to funding further development of the project. We also:

• Liaise with scientists and patent law firms to ensure that high quality applications are filed.
• Evaluate, together with the inventors, the patentability and commercial potential of the invention.
• Assist in resolving questions regarding ownership and inventorship of IP.

Learn more about protecting your invention

Our Project Managers maintain a detailed understanding of each project, including associated potential scientific and commercial challenges to achieving patient benefit. They work with the investigators to explore steps necessary for successful commercialisation, potentially involving  further experiments in the investigator’s laboratory, industry collaboration, or working with one or more of  translational resources/initiatives funded by CRUK, such as its Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories, Institute-based Drug Discovery Units, the Centre for Drug Development, the CRUK-AstraZeneca Antibody Alliance Laboratory, the CRUK-AstraZeneca Functional Genomics Centre, or the Experimental Cancer Medicines Centres.

We have strong links with a wide range of international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and our Business Development team meets with more than 100 oncology companies annually to explore potential opportunities and synergies.

Through an assessment of the development needs of a project, awareness of what is happening in the oncology industry and knowledge of the particular strategic focus of different companies, our Business Development Managers can identify which commercial partners have the greatest likelihood of achieving clinical success and ultimately patient benefit from a scientist’s invention.

Our Business Development and in-house Legal teams prepare high-quality, robust agreements that clearly define the expectations, intentions and obligations of all parties. We operate as “deal teams” to ensure the inclusion of the appropriate expertise while structuring, negotiating and drafting the wide variety of agreements we execute on behalf of our academic partners.

To ensure clinical success and patient benefit is achieved, we actively monitor and manage each project after agreement signature. This activity is vital to ensure that:

• the licensee develops the project promptly and effectively;
• each party meets its obligations;
• appropriate revenue distribution is achieved;
• advantage is taken of new information and developments as they arise.