Diverse perspectives from around the globe help us discover new and innovative ideas in the world of technology transfer. Today, I’m speaking with José Ricardo Aguilar, a key figure in the Knowledge and Valorisation Department at Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN). Established in 1991 through an initiative by the University of Coimbra, IPN is a private non-profit organization that promotes innovation and technology transfer, bridging the gap between the scientific and technological community and the production sector.

Since 2002, José has been instrumental in promoting the use of the IP system within IPN's innovation ecosystem. He offers vital support to researchers and entrepreneurs, helping them grasp the fundamentals of IP and facilitating technology transfer. Furthermore, since 2011, he has served as an invited lecturer at the Universidade de Coimbra School of Pharmacy, sharing his IP expertise with graduate and master's students.

His active involvement extends to various advisory committees, including the EPO Standing Advisory Committee on Patent Information and Documentation since 2018, and both the EUIPO Observatory SME Expert Group and the EARTO Legal Experts Working Group since 2019. José’s responsibilities also include providing legal support to ESA Space Solutions Portugal, hosted by IPN, and contributing as a researcher at the SPARC – Space Law Research Center at Universidade Nova de Lisboa.

In our conversation, José illuminates how IPN is driving forward applied research, fostering entrepreneurship, and nurturing tech-based startups in Coimbra, Portugal.

In This Episode:

[02:44] The tech transfer landscape in Portugal. For a long time Portugal was a closed country to technology and companies, but they are catching up.

[03:51] Challenges include protecting the results of global collaborations.

[05:07] The Portuguese government has been focusing on collaborations with key entities of R&D and promotion of tech transfer activities. They've also received special funding. There's also a development of widespread incubators all over the country.

[07:08] Key factors contributing to their success include learning from much more developed entities, which helps to avoid obstacles and go directly to a more developed process.

[08:30] IPN and how it contributes directly to tech transfer in Portugal. It's a private nonprofit that was created by the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe.

[08:59] IPN is known for applied research in their dedicated lab and business incubators.

[09:50] They've also been a big part of raising awareness for the topic of IP.

[10:50] How regulating bodies affect the landscape and culture of IP. The Portuguese Innovation Agency has a trend of supporting and launching initiatives for the promotion of tech transfer.

[13:34] IPN has established collaborations and partnerships with national and international entities. They are a networking agency. They are widely known inside and outside of the EU. They've had interactions with Brazil, Africa, and  Middle Eastern Countries.

[15:24] Key initiatives focused on improving patent information accessibility and usability include having a strategy for communication and documentation. They are enhancing procedures for better public outreach. The EPO is focused on an assessment of global needs. 

[16:59] José became involved in IP when he received an invitation to be part of a project launched by the patent office.

[18:12] The ESA Space Solutions Portugal is one of the most demanding projects at IPN. They are a business Innovation Center and they promote and support the launch of new space businesses. They are also ambassadors for their partnerships and technology brokers.

[21:26] Common misconceptions among researchers and entrepreneurs can be a result of lack of knowledge. Education and sharing information with future entrepreneurs is a huge goal and task for IPN. 

[24:01] José shares a story about a change in IP law a few years ago. They now have a provisional application.

Resources: 

José Ricardo Aguilar LinkedIn

Instituto Pedro Nunes