BUILDING EUROPE'S CAMPUS FOR GLOABL HEALTH
As the largest university in Germany and as an international top-level university, LMU is closely intertwined in many ways with society, the economy, as well as its environment. Together with high-ranking cooperation partners from science, business and society, the university makes significant contributions to tackling some of today’s grand challenges and seeks to create spaces for public engagement. LMU Munich is one of Europe's most research-intensive universities, and translates the results into practice. Collaborations with trusted partners bridge the gap between exploratory science and marketable products, to the benefit of all. The university's aim is to ensure that its know-how and research data benefit society as a whole by stimulating technological progress and cultural innovation.
Structure and Support Mechanisms
- Research and technology transfer plays an integral role in all subject areas of the university. In nearly all faculties, many collaboration projects with companies and societal institutions are conducted, and spin-offs emerge.
- The administrative support to LMU’s researchers is offered by the Unit for Research and Technology Transfer, advising and supporting scientists at LMU concerning the protection and exploitation of their research findings and spin-off possibilities.
- Scientific research on innovation and transfer is mainly performed by the LMU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (LMU IEC). Through numerous interdisciplinary research and teaching activities, the LMU IEC inspires and supports the development and implementing of innovative solutions for significant societal challenges.
Facilities and Resources
At LMU’s Unit for Research and Technology Transfer, specific strategies and offers include industry cooperation, cooperation with societal partners, the registration of patents, and guidance regarding the foundation of spin-off companies.
a. The Intellectual Property Management Team (IPM) is the first contact for all inventing scientists. IPM advises them whether to seek a patent application or not and accompanies the scientists through the whole process of IP application and prosecution.
b. The spin-off service guides researchers through the whole process of foundation, from the initial idea to its realisation, by providing regular coaching sessions and giving advice on financial support possibilities. These sessions generally focus on the formulation of a business plan, the acquisition of funding and the development of entrepreneurial skills.
The LMU IEC is a platform that drives and hosts the interdisciplinary and international dialogue on innovation and entrepreneurship. The LMU IEC focuses on translational research and supports transfer activities at a very early stage, i.e., through the LMU Innovation Incubator.
- The LMU Innovation Incubator is an exclusive 3-month early-stage startup programme for researchers, current and alumni LMU students, and staff. In the Incubator, ideas for impactful innovation are explored and validated at the nexus of academia, science and business. Through the IEC Incubation Programme, participants can explore if implementing their idea into an innovative and impactful business is a potential career path for them.
Partnerships and Collaboration Models
LMU Munich engages with industry and society on a broad range of aspects. LMU’s services for industry cooperation in the Unit for Research and Technology Transfer is the first point of contact for firms:
- Servicing industry firms wishing to initiate joint research projects with LMU
- Scouting for appropriate research partners at LMU Munich
- Advising LMU researchers on collaborative ventures
Various funding opportunities are available specifically for research projects which must first be validated in an academic context, and further developed to improve their prospects in light of prevailing market conditions. LMU’s internal Knowledge Transfer Fund provides funding for projects aimed at the development of basic research into technological, social or economic innovations.
The Unit for Research and Technology Transfer specifically encourages dialogue and collaboration between LMU’s researchers and partners in cultural and social organisations. With the aid of LMU’s network, the Unit für Research and Technology Transfer assists researchers to translate socially relevant research findings, in particular in the Humanities, Cultural and Social Sciences, into practical measures.
Impact and Success Stories
Together with the other universities in Munich, LMU makes an important contribution to innovation and technology transfer advancements in the diverse and outstanding local innovation ecosystem. Over the last couple of years, various successful spin-offs have emerged, many of them in the biomedical field. The following three examples are of specific relevance to the topic of global health:
In successful funding rounds, Tubulis, Smart Reporting , and Eisbach Bio have successfully attracted new investor funding and brought in investments worth millions. The new capital will enable the companies to expand their research and development activities. Tubulis and Eisbach develop new therapeutic approaches and active agents for cancer treatment, while Smart Reporting provides software for the digitalisation and efficient management of documentation, designed particularly to help radiologists and pathologists.
Contact
For questions regarding knowledge transfer at LMU, please contact eugloh@lmu.de or forschungstransfer@lmu.de.