Kuzeyhan Özdemir Director Bilkent TTO IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul CBTT Turkish - perspective

Background Responsibilities of University TTOs in Turkey : At one side, TTOs collect invention disclosures, value inventions, take protection measures (i.e.; patenting, tardemarks etc.), license patents to industry, incubate startups and invest in spin-offs like their counterparts in Europe. On the other other side, TTOs support research by guiding to write project proposals to receive funds from national or international organizations, managing their projects, establishing university-industry collaborations, creating awareness about the kinds of programs and arranging trainings. IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul

Background Types of TTOs of Universities (whether State or Foundation University) in Turkey : TTO as an administrative unit of University mostly under a Vice Rector TTO as a unit of Technopark (Technology Development Zone) Management Company of University TTO as a company of University TTO as a combination of units under University and under Technopark Management Company University TTOs were started to be funded in 2013 by Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK). This fueled the establishment of TTOs by Universities. Currently there are 34 TTOs funded by TÜBİTAK. IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul

Background IP Rights of Academicians in Turkey : IP Rights of an Invention made by an Academician working in a University in Turkey, belong to that Academician by Turkish laws. Universities need to make agreements with Academicians to have the IP Rights and license them to industry through revenue sharing. IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul

Potential There are highly qualified, internationally recognized researchers in universities. TTOs began to receive disclosure forms from academicians, protect IP Rights and commercialize them. The number of patent applications in Turkey are increasing ( Application/Issued to/by Turkish Patent Institute: 277/17 in 2000, 935/59 in 2005, 3250/507 in 2010, 4645/1141 in 2014 ). Industry started to recognize the value of contribution of the universities to their products, services and processes. They are more aware about having IP rights. IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul Potential

Desire University managements recognize the benefits of having TTOs, firstly, because their academicians are happy to have people who support them. Goverment and public institutions through their policies and funding mechanisms support and encourage the universities to transfer the technologies developed in the university to industry by establish strong relations with industry. Academical entrepreneurship is also encouraged. IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul Desire

Systems Avarage age of TTOs are 2 years in Turkey. TTOs are trying to set up their infrastructure and their own procedures which need to be in line with the procedures and strategies of the university. With the funds from TÜBİTAK, TTOs have more opportunity to expand their professional human resources. – Since TTOs are new in Turkey, there are not enough number of experienced people. Therefore appropriate training is important. IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul TTO- systems

Stakeholders A technology transfer ecosystem in Turkey is being established,mainly, in the last 5-10 years. Main stakeholders are: Academicians/ Researchers/ Entrepreneurs TTOs in Turkey and in other countries Universities Technoparks TÜBİTAK Ministries (Industry, Science and Technology Ministry, Ministry of Development etc.) Industry Venture Capitals, Investment Funds Local and International Associations (USİMP, Chambers of Industry, ASTP-Proton, AUTM, LES etc.) International Organizations ( European Union, European Investment Fund etc.) IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul Stakeholders

Challenges? EachTTO has unique to each individual state/foundation university. No «one size fits all» solution! Commercialization needs different sets of skills and experience. Time is needed to build them up. On the other hand, universities are educational institutions. Industry wants to have all IP rights whereas university/academician would like hold some part. Knowing that the return on investment on patents and commercialization activities will take 5-10 years, university managements may have hesitations Universities- as their founding origin- see their main duties as educating students and carrying out research. Technology transfer and supporting entrepreneurship (3rd/4th Generation Universities) are the activities which are mainly initiated and demanded by industry and governments in order to boost the economies and create more jobs. Universities needs to cope with this. The activities of TTOs may require changes in the university procedures and strategies. After setting up TTOs, universities have to deal with professional people, in charge of commercialization, working in an academic institution. IPR Conference October 2015 Istanbul

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