2013
annual review www.adelaideresearch.com.au
2 4 Organisations that want to be successful can only be so through intensive cooperation with their clients and other partners. Creativity and innovation come about from people working in interdisciplinary teams: challenges and opportunities are best tackled in collaboration and partnership.
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Universities have a clear role to play as part of a broader ecosystem. Working with partners in the private and public sectors enables Universities to learn more about the true nature of key problems, which in turn leads to better research and development to the benefit of our society. We learn and benefit from this also.
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“Universities are a source of highly educated people and a major source of new ideas. Along with their teaching and research activities, they attract knowledge and resources from external soruces and adapt existing knowledge to local conditions” - Professor Goran Roos.
worldwide perspective commercial accelerator
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We believe the best way to do this is through open engagement and being proactive around the co-creation of new ideas and applied research and knowledge.
financial highlights
knowledge translated
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Adelaide Research & Innovation Pty Ltd (ARI) facilitates collaboration with industry, government and other external organisations to access the University of Adelaide’s capabilities for the benefit of both the local and international community.
initiative & impact
open innovation
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contents
innovation ecosystem
ARI is embracing this change. We want to ease and speed access to University capabilities and resources. We’ve adopted new technology to make the knowledge exchange process more fluid, and have added extra resources to improve customer service management. Adopting this approach has seen ARI demonstrate strong growth. We are moving beyond contract research and commercialisation, into strategic partnering and relationship development. We see ourselves as being able to drive productivity by acting as a trusted hub of knowledge exchange. We are also involved in the broader conversation around improving interactions between the University sector and the broader community. We have engaged in this agenda locally, nationally and internationally. If you are interested in this debate then we are interested in hearing from you.
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initiative & impact connect We are a focal point for linking the world renowned research resources at the University of Adelaide to the community. Our strengths lie in the facilitation of collaborative opportunities between the University and partners in the private and public sector, as well as promoting and matching capability to need, and encouraging networking and engagement
Commercial Revenue Commercial activities managed by ARI resulted in $38.25M revenue in 2012. We facilitated more than 600 deals on behalf of researchers engaging with government and industry. As part of this, $4.29M is generated by royalty returns from successful commercialisation of University technologies.
create We actively assess, protect and commercialise research outcomes to enable implementation to have real world impact. We invest in innovative projects that have market potential to make a difference to people’s lives.
Biotech Funding Bio Innovation SA awarded ARI a $97,000 Commercial Development Initiative grant to support the development of a novel blood test for endometriosis.
KNOWLEDGE & INNOVATION PIPELINE New Ideas 72 new disclosures were received by our commercial team in 2012.
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Stroke Treatment ARI has assigned exciting stem cell technology to Australian regenerative medicine giant Mesoblast in a deal which could lead to a treatment for stroke sufferers.
collaborate We help foster and facilitate connections between research and industrial partners for mutual benefit. As wholly owned subsidiary of the University, we are integrated into the fabric of the University community and so have a deep understanding of its culture and operations.
COOPERATIVE INNOVATION
New Ventures TelAri Analytics, a new commercialisation activity by ARI and the University’s Teletraffic Research Centre, was launched in 2012 to commercially develop and distribute a novel mobile network network optimisation tool. The multi-million dollar software development was originally funded by Telstra. The TRC raised additional investment funds including support from the ARI Commercial Accelerator Scheme to secure a $250,000 Commercialisation Australia grant.
2012 snapshot
Spin out success
COMMERCIAL ENGAGEMENT & NETWORKING US Market Expansion An IVF treatment developed in Adelaide in partnership with Danish fertility company Origio has been approved to expand into the US market.
Open Innovation Forum: 'Building the Future' ARI connected with the innovation community to facilitate a unique networking forum for 83 attendees from government and industry. The aim was to promote the principles of open innovation and encourage business to engage collaborating with others to help build business for mutual benefit. There was a great deal of positive feedback and ARI is extending this program in 2013 as the “Innovation Journey”
ARI spin out companies SNAP Network Surveillance Pty Ltd (video surveillance) and Muradel Pty Ltd (algal biofuels) raised millions in additional funding to continue developing cutting edge technologies.
LEVERAGING FUNDING
‘Watch This Space’ Targeting creatives, geeks and hackers - ARI engaged with the University community to design and construct an interactive installation to transform a white space.
‘Pitching to Prosper’ Workshop
IP Management Nearly $500,000 was invested in patent protection costs for promising University technologies and plant breeders rights.
25 researchers were invited to complete a specialised training program to enable them to pitch their research to industry with confidence. We had a lot of positive feedback eg: "I attended the Pitching to Prosper workshop. It has, in some ways, been a life changing experience. I would like to thank ARI for setting up the initial workshop and to let you know how worthwhile it was." Dr Tiffany Gill, NHMRC Research Fellow, School of Medicine
Commercial Accelerator Scheme In 2012 ARI awarded $325,000 in Commercial Accelerator funding to five new projects. We have now supported 19 innovative projects with a total of $2.61M since the Scheme was launched in August 2007.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Training We engage researchers through introductory IP and commercial awareness education sessions to create a proactive commercialisation culture. In 2012 more than 800 people attended our events.
financial highlights Contract Research & Consulting Revenue
$45
$38.25M
$40 $35
Millions
Millions
Total Revenue
$40
$33.69M
$35 $30
$30
$25
2012
$25
2011
$20
$20
2010 $15
$15 $10
$10
$5
$5
$0 2006
2007
Shared Services
2008
2009
2010
2011
Contract Research & Consulting
2009
$0
2012
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Royalties
Top 20 clients produce 63% revenue
3%
Millions
Contract Research & Consulting by Faculty 5%
16 14
26% 12
19%
10 8
8% 39%
6 4
4
ECMS Health Sciences Humanities & Social Sciences Sciences Professions Other
2 0 2008
2009
2010
2011
ECMS
Health Sciences
Humanities
Sciences
Professions
Other
2012
Millions
Royalty Revenue
Patented Inventions - By Industry
$6
$4.29M
6%
7% 7%
$5
45%
$4
18%
$3 $2
17% $1
Plant Breeder's Rights Agriculture Medicine & Biotechnology Reproductive Health Photonics Engineering
$0 2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
The majority of royalty returns are generated by agriculture innovations
Commercial Activity Mix - No. of Agreements
Grant Assistance - By Volume 6%
16%
4% 24%
40%
7%
29%
8%
7%
10% 16%
19%
Contract Research & Consulting Collaborative Research Confidentiality Material Transfers Tenders / Quotes Grants
10%
0.1% 4%
ARC
CRC
Industry
International
Local Government
NHMRC
Other Commonwealth
State Government
Other
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worldwide perspective International Contract Research & Consulting Revenue 2009-2012 $663K $1.2M
$2.5M $8M $2.1M $615K
Australian Contract Research & Consulting Revenue 2012 Nationally our spread of customers reflects extensive engagement with State and Federal Government agencies.
$1K $2.4M
South Australia ACT
SA ACT
New South Wales NSW
Queensland QLD Victoria
$0.7M $11.6M
$2.5M
VIC
WA Western Australia TAS
$1.8M
Tasmania
NT
Northern Territory
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$8K
$8.6M
Professor Mike McLaughlin, Mosaic Fertilizer Technology Research Centre
our research products and services are exported to benefit people all over the world
Quality of care The School of Population Health worked with the Tarakan City Health Department in Indonesia to upskill their midwives. 12 midwives and other health care staff from Tarakan City travelled to Adelaide to be trained in practices which will help them to improve integrated care, referrals, working with private sector midwives and the provision of quality care to pregnant women and children. The program saw midwives attend classroom based training and observe these skills in practice in a local hospital. They also learnt about health promotion within the community, and were provided with a training handbook to teach others back home. Upskilling these midwives through training will lead to improved service provision and better quality of care for patients in the Tarakan City community.
Mosaic Fertilizer Research Centre The $5 million Mosaic Fertilizer Technology Research Centre, based at the Waite Campus, has been established by the University as a joint commercial venture with one of the world’s largest fertiliser companies, the United States-based Mosaic Fertilizer LLC. Mosaic have been funding research at the centre - the first of its kind in Australia - in return for commercialisation rights and a share of the intellectual property. The focus of the research is on developing new products which are more effective in delivering nutrition to plants and will enable farmers to more efficiently produce higher yields in crops to meet ever-increasing demand. The close relationship with Mosaic provides the University with a clearly defined pathway for our research outcomes to benefit agriculture.
“At Mosaic, we maintain close relationships with leading scientists around the world. Through these relationships, such as Mosaic’s affiliation with the University of Adelaide, we have learned more about how nutrients enter a plant’s roots in the last two years, than in the previous 40 years - knowledge that further shapes our product development and process.” - Mosaic Annual Report 2011
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commercial accelerator $2.61M over 5 years
accelerating the transfer new University innovations and services to a global market
$325K 2013 $450K 2011 $346K 2010
$860K
Gene silencing in Field trials for plants ornamental Professor Mike Wilkinson eucalypt hybrids
2009 $628K 2008
ARI's Commercial Accelerator Scheme, launched in August 2007, aims to make more research projects 'market ready' by providing a cash injection at a critical stage in their early development. It addresses the gap in funding known as the 'valley of death' between research grants, angel investment and venture capital. Researchers pitch their ideas and innovations to an external assessment panel. In 2012 ARI awarded $325,000 funding to five new projects with commercial potential.
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This invention provides a step shift in our capability to manipulate the expression of potentially any targeted gene of any plant species and thereby phenotype, physiology and development of the plant without the use of genetic modification.
Dr Kate Delaporte
It has the potential to overcome many of the limitations associated with traditional genetic modification.
This project will facilitate pot and field trials of the hybrid ornamental eucalypt trees at the University's Waite and Roseworthy Campuses and at Humphris Nursery in VIC and NSW.
The Ornamental Eucalypt Development Program is working with Clonal Solutions Australia Pty Ltd to develop methods for propagating trees in tissue culture.
To our knowledge, this is the first time hybrid ornamental eucalypts have been successfully propagated in tissue culture. If successful the new technique will reduce propagating costs, assure quality of the product, and allow entry into overseas markets where grafted plants cannot be exported.
Quiet fans Associate Professor Richard Kelso Fans are currently used in a variety of products ranging from computer CPU’s to heavy industrial machines.
4D geophysical imaging of energy resources Professor Graham Heinson
This technology proposes to improve the efficiency and reduce noise associated with air movement fans by varying the lift along the span of the wings. The technology is the subject of a patent.
Global energy demand is predicted to rise by 35% over the next 20 years. Part of this demand will be met from non-traditional sub-surface resources such as coal seam gas, shale gas and geothermal.
Fan efficiency could be increased by 5-10%, in both computer and automobile cabin ventilation fans, with sound power reductions achieved in excess of 5 dB(A) in the computer fan, and 10 dB(A) in the car ventilation fan when compared to typical fan products. These efficiencies directly impact the operating cost (in terms of fuel, power etc) of driving the fans and a 10 dB noise reduction means a 10-fold reduction in noise and vibration.
Professor Heinson and his team have developed novel electromagnetic instrumentation and innovative 3D and 4D (including time-lapse) approaches to image at great depth, the movement of groundwater and fracturing fluids with time.
Currently we are developing two marketready products ready for adoption by fan manufacturers in the relevant markets by December 2013.
This integrated system of hardware, software and know-how offers a low cost, low impact solution to detect where sub-surface fluids connect up to depths of several kilometres. This project has the potential to improve exploration efficiencies, and aid in short and long-term monitoring of sub-surface reservoirs, resources and aquifers.
DNA verification of timber origin Professor Andrew Lowe The University's Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity has developed a suite of DNA fingerprinting techniques that aid the tracking and identification of the species and source of origin of timber products to control illegal logging. The advantage of DNA tests is that the DNA in wood cannot be falsified and can be applied anywhere along the supply chain. Researchers are working with Singapore based company Double Helix Tracking Technologies to develop this technique that can assess whether or not a wood product is derived from a sustainable plantation or illegally from a protected area. The next step is to establish an accredited service laboratory at the University to offer DNA testing of timber on a commercial basis.
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knowledge translated connecting with others and collaborating to create a better world
stars being the best result. This information is then published and made available to consumers when making purchasing decisions about new vehicles. An important component of the ANCAP testing program is to examine the influence of vehicle design on pedestrian injury in a collision.
Safe & Secure In the five years between 2006 and 2010, nearly one in every eight road deaths in South Australia was a pedestrian. In addition to fatalities, there are on average 106 pedestrians seriously injured and 311 who received minor injuries on South Australian roads each year. This is an unnecessarily high number. Since 2000, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and the University’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) have been working together to improve the pedestrian safety of new vehicles entering the Australasian market, and reduce the number of car-related fatalities occurring on our roads each year. ANCAP is an independent nonregulatory body which provides transparent advice and information about the level of protection provided by vehicles in serious front and side crashes.
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Cars are put through a variety of frontal, side, whiplash, pedestrian impact tests, and an assessment of safety assist technology, and then rated on a one to five star basis, five
In the early days of pedestrian safety testing, ANCAP faced an absence of dedicated facilities within the Australian market equipped to conduct such assessments and analysis. CASR was, at the time (and still is), the only research facility in Australia with the capability to facilitate some of its earlier testing. The team at CASR had the skills and expertise to help them grow their own capabilities, and guide the direction of their new field of pedestrian safety testing and research. Their relationship has been likened to a research fraternity. CASR can now offer a new purpose built, pedestrian sub-system testing laboratory. The Impact Laboratory is a central part of CASR’s pedestrian safety research (which considers both accident prevention and injury mitigation through vehicle design) and has enabled the Centre to expand its services.
“We are always looking for new ways to make better use of the expert skill set that we have at our fingertips; whether that be for expert views on technical matters, or for inspiration and guidance on new fields of research. It’s a real perk of working with a research group at a University.” Nicholas Clarke, CEO Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)
Baby boom not gloom A collaborative partnership between the University, ARI, and Origio a/s, a world leader in assisted reproductive technology solutions, has resulted in the development of EmbryoGen®, a novel treatment option for women undergoing IVF who have had one or more previous miscarriages. The partnership began in 2004, when ARI approached Origio a/s with an innovative fertility culture medium for growing embryos. The culture medium contains a signalling molecule called GM-CSF found naturally in the mother’s tissues that protects the embryo from stress, making it stronger and more robust in the early implantation period, meaning fewer miscarriages for IVF patients. The product was the culmination of more than two decades' work for Professor Sarah Robertson, a reproductive biologist, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow and member of the University's Robinson Institute (pictured above). Attracted by the science, and convinced of
the commercial applicability of the technology, Origio a/s licensed the IP for the culture medium, and undertook the world’s largest fertility media study to verify Professor Robertson’s findings, and develop the world’s first natural growth factor medium with proven effect. In a major commercial breakthrough, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have now approved EmbryoGen to be marketed in the US, clearing the way for its use in one of the world’s biggest markets. The US decision follows earlier decisions by authorities in other major markets such as Europe, China and the Middle East to allow the use of the medium. Now available in over 40 countries, EmbryoGen® is making a difference to the lives of people. Origio a/s has received letters from grateful embryologists all around Europe, who have been able to help people as a result of this technology.
Women’'s health Bio Innovation SA recently awarded ARI a $97,000 Commercial Development Initiative grant to support the development of a blood test for endometriosis. Affecting 1 in 10 women at some point during their reproductive age, endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus is also found outside the uterine cavity, which can cause painful periods, severe pelvic pain and infertility. Diagnosis of endometriosis can be difficult and in an effort to avoid the risks, costs and relatively low diagnostic utility of exploratory surgery, diagnosis is typically delayed for 6 to 12 years. The University's Endometriosis Research Group has identified biomarkers (microRNAs) that are indicative of endometriosis. This project seeks to clinically validate these biomarkers in order to produce a prototype blood test, which would address many of the shortcomings and cost of existing endometriosis diagnosis. The proposed diagnostic is being developed by researchers Dr Louise Hull, Professor Sarah Robertson and Dr Vicki Nisenblat in collaboration with Associate Professor Cristin Print from the University of Auckland.
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an evaluation of their safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness compared with other treatments, as well as their likely impact on the health system.
Experience or exploitation? Research commissioned by the Fair Work Ombudsman, and conducted by two of Australia’s foremost labour law experts, Professor Andrew Stewart and Professor Rosemary Owens from the University’s Law School, highlights evidence of unpaid work experience, internships and trial work that could be seen as undermining the award system and other labour standards. Their report titled Experience or Exploitation? The Nature, Prevalence and Regulation of Unpaid Work Experience, Internships and Trial Periods in Australia, contains six key recommendations aimed at preventing the exploitation of workers who undertake unpaid work experience that is not linked with a formal education or training program. There are instances of employers who repeatedly use unpaid internships to perform a job. Free labour means someone is missing out on making a livelihood and could also mean a breach of the Fair Work Act, which may result in legal action. Ongoing education is required to reduce the problem.
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Quality health care for every individual As patients, we want timely access to safe, affordable treatments. As tax payers we want to be confident that government funds are spent appropriately and to best advantage. With those aims in mind, the Australian Government considers advice from three independent health advisory committees to inform decisions about which health technologies and services should be subsidised for Australians, to provide them with safe, effective and quality health care. Assessing the evidence that informs two of these expert advisory committees - the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) - is the team from the University’s Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA). Under contract with the Department of Health and Ageing, AHTA collate, appraise and synthesise existing clinical research on medical technologies and health interventions, develop economic models, and provide
This independent evaluation enables MSAC to provide an evidence-based recommendation to the Australian Health Minister, on whether a new medical technology or service should receive public funding via the Medicare Benefits Schedule, and whether established medical services should retain Medicare funding. Similarly, AHTA helps PBAC decide whether a medicine should be publicly funded through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the government program which provides our population with affordable access to a wide range of necessary and cost-effective prescription medicines. Around 80% of prescriptions dispensed in Australia are subsidised under the PBS. In 2010/11 the PBS processed 188.1 million benefit prescriptions, representing a cost to the Australian Government of $8.8 billion. Logically not every new drug that enters the market can make it onto the list or the scheme would quickly become unsustainable. Therefore it’s critical funds go into the most cost effective and beneficial health care technologies. AHTA’s work is helping our policy makers to make informed, evidence-based decisions about where this funding should be allocated.
Professor Simon Koblar, Robinson Institute
Stroke treatment
Healthy hearts
of the brokering of a three-way collaboration between the University, UniSA and the QEH.
ARI has assigned exciting stem cell technology to Australian regenerative medicine giant Mesoblast in a deal which could lead to a treatment for stroke sufferers.The stem cell technology developed by Professor Simon Koblar has shown the capability of human stem cells derived from adult teeth to have an intrinsic ability to form brain cells and interact with the nervous system. This early phase research has the potential to provide real benefit to those who have suffered a stroke however, it must undergo further pre-clinical and clinical trials before it can be commercialised. Early stage medical research findings of Universities would not get anywhere without the collaborative efforts of technology companies with the necessary resources and market expertise to translate them into real world impact. ARI is very excited about this deal which will see the upfront assignment fee reinvested into stroke research conducted by Professor Koblar. In addition to the assignment of the IP, Professor Koblar will still be involved in the next phase of development, acting in a key advisory role across ongoing pre-clinical studies.
Heart disease is the second biggest killer after cancer, and many heart conditions are caused by poor oxygen availability to the heart. To date therapies have focussed on reducing blood pressure to help struggling hearts pump with less resistance. Researchers at the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with UniSA and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, have been studying how improving the energy utilisation of the heart may help.
The University technology transfer companies were also instrumental in assisting Heart Metabolics raise $4 million capital for pre-clinical and clinical studies of their drug candidates. This included funds through the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund.
A breakthrough has come from the discovery of a compound that increases cardiac oxygen usage but has low toxicity. The compound may offer sufferers of conditions like cardiomyopathy and heart failure, where the heart struggles to pump enough blood, another therapeutic option. ARI worked collectively with UniSA and the QEH on the commercialisation strategy for this therapeutic. The technology was protected with a patent and then licensed to UK pharmaceutical company, Heart Metabolics Ltd, a company which has extensive experience in pharmaceutical investment and commercialisation. The license of the research is remarkable, not just because the technology is at the early pre-clinical stage, but because
Michael Bettess, Investment Manager and CEO of the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund said “this was an outstanding investment opportunity that offered an experienced international management team coupled with a technically de-risked lead program in the orphan drug space and significant blue sky potential through the inlicensed technology from the universities and hospital.� Development work is also being conducted in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen who is the other world leading cardiac energetic research centre, though Regis Professor of Cardiology, Michael Frenneaux.
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Algal biofuels
Plant breeding
Muradel Pty Ltd, an Australian joint venture between SQC Pty Ltd, ARI and Murdoch University, is establishing a commercial scale demonstration plant in Whyalla, South Australia, which will showcase their state-ofthe-art technology that produces biofuel from marine microalgae.
The University's Waite Campus is a centre of excellence for plant breeding and genetics.
Since 2010, Muradel has gained world recognition with the operation of their pilot plant in Karratha, Western Australia that has been used to develop sustainable biofuel processing technology aligned with Australia’s aim to develop a low-carbon economy. The secret to Muradel’s technology is the exploitation of a tiny non-invasive, naturally occurring and highly productive marine organism that can be readily concentrated and turned into oil. The Karratha pilot plant operated continuously over 2 years to test carbon neutral technology developed at the University of Adelaide that is able to concentrate the algae so that it is readily converted to oil, which can be integrated into the existing global crude oil supply chain.
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The Barley Breeding Program in particular has attracted major industry partners worldwide, including brewers such as Heineken, Carlsberg and Sapporo. For the last five years the University’s barley varieties have been marketed through a commercial partnership with Viterra (formerly ABB Grain). University barley varieties currently comprise over 90% of the South Australian crop and 50-55% of the national barley crop. Brewing companies and maltsters have worked with our researchers to breed new varieties of barley to better suit their production processes. Significant malting varieties developed by the Program include Clipper, Schooner, Sloop, SloopSAA and DhowA, feed varieties include Galleon, Barque, Keel, CapstanA and MaritimeA, and the hulless variety TorrensA. The University is currently commercialising the malting varieties FlagshipTM and GairdnerPlusTM, and the feed variety FleetTM. The University also has a strong history in developing new wheat, triticale and faba
bean varieties produced at the Waite and Roseworthy Campuses. These varieties have improved production qualities and drought resistance have been widely adopted by growers, contributing to billions of dollars worth of harvested production. Returns from these agricultural innovations account for the majority of the University’s royalty income, in particular barley varieties Sloop SA and Commander, together with Yitpi Wheat. Royalties from these varieties however are often impacted by environmental factors such as drought and flood. Researchers continue to deliver grains better adapted to Australia’s climate, with higher yield and tolerance to crop disease.
Dr Kate Delaporte School of Agriculture, Food & Wine
Restoring arid Designer lands in Australia eucalypts Arid Recovery is an ecosystem restoration initiative based in the South Australian outback. It is a joint project, run by BHP Billiton, the SA Department for Environment, Water & Natural Resources, the University and the local community.
Collaboration between the University, ARI and Humphris Nursery, based in Mooroolbark Victoria, has resulted in the introduction of two new varieties of Mallee eucalypts into the Australian plant market: the Nullarbor Rose and the Nullarbor Lime.
The program is presently centred around a 123km² fenced reserve at Roxby Downs. The BHP owned reserve is being used as a testing ground to develop and implement methods for broad scale restoration of arid lands via the use of exclusion fencing.
The eucalypt is a classic Australian icon. Perfectly suited to growing in a variety of terrains and climates, this Australian native plays a vital role in Australia’s ecosystem.
The long term goal is for feral species management and ecosystem recovery regeneration beyond the fence. Feral cats, rabbits and foxes have been eradicated from a total of 60km² and this has provided an area of complete protection into which four species of locally extinct mammals have so far been reintroduced. The University has been primarily involved in this aspect of the project, carrying out numerous research programs on the site, particularly regarding the reintroduction and ecology of bilbies.
Humphris is a leading production nursery, experienced in grafting existing market varieties of eucalypts. Aware of the growing demand for plants suitable for low water landscapes, they actively sought out a way to develop an edge to set them apart from their competition. An online search revealed some intriguing research being conducted by Dr Kate Delaporte on new hybrid varieties of Mallee eucalypts which were low water usage and produced the most exquisite floral displays. Unfortunately it was not going to be possible to simply licence-in the new varieties and start selling them to the masses. The main
consumer market is the eastern states of Australia, with a very different climate to the new varieties’ natural growing conditions in Western Australia. In order for the new plants to tolerate the wide range of environmental conditions found on the east coast, they would require propagation by grafting; a feat that no one had successfully achieved within these eucalypts before. To arrive at the final product, it took the combination of Dr Delaporte's extensive knowledge of the Eucalyptus genus, and Humphris' expertise in grafting propagation techniques within the horticulture industry. With the success of the first project, Humphris now see an opportunity to create “designer” trees, and are looking to develop new purpose-bred varieties with Dr Delaporte to suit the needs of local councils and urban planners. Trials are also underway to breed new varieties that can be propagated by tissue culture and this work is supported by ARI’s Commercial Accelerator Scheme.
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High efficiency waveguide laser
Optimise your networks
Researchers at the University’s Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) have developed what could be the world’s most efficient laser created in a glass host.
TelAri Analytics, a new commercialisation activity by ARI and the University’s Teletraffic Research Centre, was launched in 2012 to commercially develop and distribute a novel mobile network network optimisation tool.
Direct writing of waveguide channels in rare-earth doped glass is a single step optical process. It creates waveguide lasers which are highly efficient, tunable, cost effective, and compact. The 2 micron waveguide has shown 50% internal slope efficiency – to our knowledge, the most efficient laser created in a glass host. The development of the waveguide laser has been supported by a Commercial Accelerator grant from ARI and has now been demonstrated to operate in the short-infrared spectrum at 1.1 micron, 1.9 micron, 2.1 micron, and 2.91 micron, wavelengths never before demonstrated from a planar, rare-earth doped laser. These lasers are tunable over a wide range, encompassing telecoms bands and mid-IR sensing bands, and targeting a broad range of applications.
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The multi-million dollar software development was originally funded by Telstra. The TRC raised additional investment funds, including support from the ARI Commercial Accelerator Scheme, to secure a $250,000 Commercialisation Australia Grant. The product, TelAri Analytics, is a mobile network dimensioning technology for telecommunications companies to manage their capital expansion and upgrade network capacity efficiently and effectively. TelAri Analytics has been through extensive validation and verification locally for the last 5 years and the Commercialisation Australia support will help demonstrate that the tool can be adapted to multiple commercial telecommunication networks around the world.
TelAri Analytics uses measurements from the network (e.g. service demand and power usage) to estimate the remaining capacity at each critical element, to forecast a “capacity expansion date”, and associated action plan. As such the network operator is able to manage current assets and plan for future capital requirements to meet network demands. Traditionally networks have been dimensioned against KPIs that reflect specified levels of service availability. This is a relatively simple process for fixed line networks and mobile networks up to 2G, however 3G mobile technology is a step change in complexity over 2G, integrating voice and video calls, live TV, streaming video and internet in a shared environment. ARI is currently pursuing patent protection for the sophisticated modelling and analysis functionality that underpins this technology. Such functionality has not been incorporated in any known commercially available 3G or 4G mobile network dimensioning tool.
University spinout takes control of video surveillance Spun out of the University in September 2009, SNAP Network Surveillance Pty Ltd was established to commercialise world-leading research in large-scale video surveillance undertaken in the University’s Australian Centre for Visual Technologies (ACVT). The technology helps solve the security dilemma currently facing airports, casinos, CBDs, shopping malls and large sporting and entertainment venues around the world. In a high profile security environment, a real emergency is a stressful time. It is vital that CCTV operators are efficient and effective. Managing hundreds of potential camera images is potentially confusing. SNAP de-risks those critical times by providing simple, logical and comprehensive support. SNAP enables CCTV operators to track targets from camera to camera around even the largest CCTV networks. The software
automatically integrates data from thousands of security cameras creating a powerful video surveillance network. In 2012 the company was able to leverage additional funding from several sources. The Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund (TTCF) provided additional equity investment in April and in May SNAP secured Experienced Executives grant funding from Commercialisation Australia, which resulted in the appointment of their new CEO, John Laverty. With total investment in the company now exceeding $2.5 million SNAP has gained significant momentum. SNAP software was demonstrated at the Security 2012 trade show in Sydney and was later named ‘Best in Show’ by the editor of the Security Electronics & Networks Magazine. The company has now formed a distribution partnership with market leader Pacific Communications, to manage SNAP’s products in Australia and New Zealand.
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open innovation
ARI’s Managing Director, Robert Chalmers writes for The Conversation
Concepts like “Open innovation”, “Crowdsourcing”, “Open Access”, “Open Source”, “Open Data” and others are being bandied about. What does it all mean and how do these approaches relate to the “old school” approaches of developing and exploiting intellectual property? Open Innovation is a concept promoted in part by the author and academic Henry Chesbrough. Unsurprisingly, this approach boils down to the need to engage with other people and their perspectives to develop better products or services. Of course, open innovation has been happening since time immemorial. Many companies have embraced open innovation through collaboration with their own consumers, researchers and external partners, including companies like Siemens, Cadbury and Lilly - with their open innovation drug discovery program. Crowdsourcing of ideas and funding is all the rage: from philanthropic purposes, to start-ups, to multinational companies which now routinely use crowdsourcing to gather innovation they can’t generate internally. The rise of crowdsourcing raises a number of understandable concerns. There’s potential for scandal: where a crowdsourced project takes money, fails or doesn’t even use it for the project; or exploitation where those who contribute ideas receive no reward. A plethora of crowd sourcing platforms have emerged with a variety of business models, some for profit and others not. Kickstarter (www.kickstarter.com) is a good example
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– hundreds of millions of dollars pledged by millions of people for tens of thousands of projects, just since April 2009.
Open data is newer than any of the “open” movements – essentially open access to data sets rather than just research publications.
Open Access is a crowd-based movement promoting the push toward open access for journal articles. After decades of paying staff to generate journal content and then having to pay again to access that content, universities are reconsidering the best way to disseminate knowledge.
There are many different groups working on this from different angles, including the Open Data Commons (http://opendatacommons. org/) – a sort-of copyright-based Creative Commons for data, and the Open Data Foundation (www.opendatafoundation.org/) – directed at enabling access to consistent metadata to inform public policy and decisionmaking.
Open Source is sometimes seen as the precursor of other “open” movements. Emerging out of the Free Software Movement in the 1980s, open source provides access to the source code of computer software so others can further develop that code. There are many different flavours of open source, with many tricks and traps for those who aren’t aware of the conditions of access. Different licence agreements contain different provisions around rights of use, restrictions on downstream works, warranties, indemnities and other matters. Many benefits have flowed from the use of open-source models of software and hardware development, including the Linux operating system, Arduino electronics, and even key software embodied in nearly every mobile phone. The open-source model has also spilled over into biology and science. For example, Richard Jefferson’s shared his discovery of a key genetic tool – the beta-glucuronidase gene – used in plant genetic engineering. He gave research labs free access to this tool, but charged for its commercial use and then invested the proceeds to further promote open source initiatives.
The promise of innovation and efficiency held out by making use of “Big Data” in the public and private sector will not be fully realised until there is better progress on common standards for open data, as well as a change in culture more open to the benefits that flow from sharing. Proprietary models which are founded on protecting and exploiting intellectual property are often cast in opposition to “open” models. But this apparent opposition is an illusion. Many of the open models are actually built on intellectual property rights – it is just the way in which those rights are used that differs from proprietary models. An open conclusion - Individuals can and do choose how open or closed they wish to be in their work. This does not have to be an ideologically fixed and static choice between polar opposites. Being open – through social networks, in research or business – is the trend, but a blend of different approaches gives us a healthy innovation ecosystem. Abrigded from the original article ‘Explainer: what is the open movement?’ http://theconversation.com/au
innovation ecosystem ADELAIDE RESEARCH & INNOVATION ARI exists to accelerate the development of real world impact resulting from ideas developed by the University of Adelaide’s talented researchers. We offer resources, support and commercial funding pathways to the researchers at the University of Adelaide, and provide a point of access for government and business to engage with academics on research, development and innovation. ARI is committed to delivering a positive impact through innovation, research, education and community engagement. Learn more: www.adelaideresearch.com.au ADELAIDE RESEARCH & INNOVATION
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events 2013 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
For researchers at the University of Adelaide INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL ENGAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION TO IP FUTURE RESEARCH LEADER’S PROGRAM
BREAKFAST SEMINAR SERIES ‘THE INNOVATION JOURNEY’
We are happy to host a customised session designed to guide you and your colleagues through options for commercial engagement, from contract research to commercialisation. These can be tailored to address your specific areas of interest and include strategy, pricing, approvals and IP.
This program was developed collaboratively by the G08 and seeks to build a range of skills and knowledge critical to successful leadership, for emerging and aspiring research leaders. ARI deliver the ‘Introduction to IP’ module and the program is free to University staff.
- 24 April OPEN INNOVATION Jurgen Schneider, Regional General Manager [Siemens] - 6 June SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION Donald McGurk, MD & CEO [Codan] & Chris Burns, CEO [Defence Teaming Centre] - 8 August EXTERNAL INNOVATION Innovation through collaboration with the University of Adelaide Featuring Fil Ciancio [San Remo Macaroni]
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