Few studies have explored the global state of university intellectual property commercialization as deeply as this brief, Unlocking University IP: Global Insights into Commercialization Challenges and Opportunities. In this episode, we take a close look at that landmark UIIN Insights Brief with its lead authors, Dr. Todd Davey and Medisa Focic, to better understand how universities around the world are managing and monetizing their research. Together, they offer a rare global perspective on the systems, people, and policies that shape how ideas move from campus labs to the marketplace.

Dr. Todd Davey, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Institut Mines-Télécom Business School in Paris and Associate Partner with the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN), brings decades of experience in connecting academia and industry. His co-author, Medisa Focic, a PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney, studies how IP policies are designed, implemented, and interpreted across Europe. Their combined research examines five major regions —North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America —and what these differences reveal about innovation and opportunity.

The conversation touches on everything from the Bayh-Dole Act’s lasting influence in the U.S. to Europe’s evolving focus on valorization, where social and cultural value often matter as much as revenue. Todd and Medisa explain how strong, government-driven innovation systems in parts of Asia contrast with Africa’s emerging models built on homegrown solutions and local needs. Across these regions, they uncover a common thread: universities recognize the potential of IP, but still face structural and cultural barriers that hinder their progress.

By the end of the discussion, a call for collaboration across continents emerges. Todd and Medisa make the case for ecosystem thinking: a more inclusive, evidence-based approach that measures success beyond patents and profits. They highlight lessons from institutions like MIT, Oxford, and Tsinghua University, where leadership, culture, and clarity around IP have turned innovation into impact. Their message is clear: unlocking the world’s intellectual property potential starts with aligning people, policy, and purpose.

In This Episode:

[00:33] Introducing guests Dr. Todd Davey and Medisa Focic, who are here to talk about the UIIN Insights Brief.

[01:08] Todd has a background in entrepreneurship and university-industry collaboration.

[02:16] Medisa has done research on IP management and policy frameworks across Europe.

[03:52] The motivation behind their ambitious comparative study and what they hoped to uncover.

[05:16] Why IP remains an underexplored asset in higher education worldwide.

[06:21] Examining the persistent gap between potential and real commercialization outcomes.

[07:45] How the absence of coherent IP policies limits innovation capacity.

[08:38] Understanding the “Valley of Death” and the time it takes for research to reach the market.

[09:26] Concentration of licensing revenue among elite universities and lessons learned.

[10:52] Rethinking how success is measured beyond patents and spinouts.

[12:12] The Bayh-Dole Act’s lasting impact on the North American IP model.

[13:31] Why the U.S. framework can’t simply be copied in civil-law systems like Europe.

[15:18] Exploring Europe’s valorisation approach and its focus on social and cultural value.

[16:31] Examples of non-traditional outputs—policy advice, education, and consulting.

[18:06] Broader focus on societal good and inclusive research across disciplines.

[19:47] Social innovation accelerators in Canada and similar global movements.

[20:42] Asia’s government-driven IP strategies and their success factors.

[22:20] How policy, infrastructure, and funding link R&D to commercialization in Asia.

[23:35] Emerging IP frameworks in Africa are centered on local solutions and social impact.

[25:03] Why resources, context, and priorities shape Africa’s innovation path.

[26:57] The seven major global challenges identified in the UIIN report.

[29:20] Underfunded tech transfer offices and the need for skilled personnel.

[30:33] Academic incentive gaps and the burden of extra commercialization work.

[32:44] Addressing bureaucracy and cultural barriers between academia and industry.

[33:39] Building trust through small collaborations and clear communication.

[35:54] Shared goals, transparency, and mutual benefit as foundations for partnership.

[37:35] Encouraging academics to learn the language of industry and engage directly.

[38:56] Misalignments between institutional policies and real-world IP practice.

[40:26] How unclear disclosure processes frustrate academic inventors.

[41:47] Lessons from MIT, Oxford, and Tsinghua—what top performers do differently.

[44:00] Institutional culture, leadership, and training as key ingredients of success.

[45:26] The role of revenue-sharing policies in motivating and rewarding researchers.

[47:37] Balancing financial incentives with recognition and purpose.

[48:47] Moving from one-to-one collaborations to broader ecosystem models.

[50:38] Real-world example: Siemens’ shift to many-to-many partnerships.

[52:25] Recommendations for developing stronger institutional innovation cultures.

[55:16] Aligning incentives between faculty, TTOs, and administration.

[57:12] Expanding training and capacity-building programs across regions.

[60:04] Integrating social and economic impact metrics into tech transfer performance.

[63:15] The future of ecosystem-based innovation and the rise of data-driven insights.

[66:00] Redefining success to include collaboration, trust, and social value.

Resources: 

Unlocking University IP: Global Insights into Commercialization Challenges and Opportunities

Todd Davey - Todd Davey - Institut Mines-Télécom

Todd Davey - LinkedIn

Medisa Focic - LinkedIn