How is tech transfer different in Australia? Listen as your host Lisa discusses tech transfer in Australia with her guest, Alastair Hick. Alastair is the Senior Director of Monash Innovation at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Alastair has over 20 years of experience in the research and technology commercialization sectors. Since joining Monash, he has developed a successful licensing and spinout program, including proof-of-concept funds and strategic partnerships with multiple investors.

Alastair speaks about the research taking place at Monash, what sets Monash apart from other universities, and some unique research platforms they have at the university. Alastair discusses The Generator, what it is, and what it does and how it will allow them to scale operations across campuses worldwide.

Listen as Alastair discusses the Monash Technology Transformation Institute, how it came about, and what they hope to accomplish with the institute. Alastair also shares that his office has 125 inventions disclosed each year and files on 50 to 60 of those. He speaks about his office's highest-earning inventions, corporate partners, and the philanthropic organizations they work with.

Alastair shares his office's biggest challenges, the organizations like AUTM they are involved with, where he stands on credentialing, and what he would like to see happen in his office in the coming years, all on this episode of Tech Transfer IP.

In This Episode:

• [02:08] Welcome to the show, Alastair!
• [02:31] Alastair shares his background and journey to Monash University.
• [05:31] He speaks about working at Cambridge Enterprise.
• [08:30] Alastair discusses moving to Australia and getting the position at Monash.
• [11:22] Lisa shares about Monash and when it was established.
• [12:04] Alastair speaks about the research taking place at Monash and the things that set Monash apart.
• [14:40] Alastair shares some unique research platforms that Monash has.
• [15:59] Are those research platforms available for any spinoff or startups that come out of the university?
• [17:18] Alastair shares how his office is structured.
• [20:10] Across the university, there are several business development managers that they work closely with.
• [21:22] Alastair discusses The Generator, what it is, and what it does.
• [24:10] He believes that The Generator will allow them to scale the operations across campuses.
• [27:32] Alastair speaks about the Monash Technology Transformation Institute, how it came about, and what they hope to accomplish with it.
• [30:13] They have established over the last ten years a model where the more options they have at each stage, the more chances they have to be successful.
• [31:19] Alastair shares that they have 125 inventions disclosed each year, and they file on 50 to 60 a year.
• [32:30] They average 35 to 40 licenses per year, and they spinout 2 to 5 each year.
• [33:48] What are your top 3 to 5 earning inventions?
• [36:21] Alastair speaks about a booklet on irritable bowel a student turned into an app, and it's a number one health app in 50 countries around the world.
• [40:21] Have you had any patent litigation in your time at the university?
• [42:17] Alastair discusses their corporate partners and how the structure deals with them.
• [44:27] Listen, as Alastair speaks about the philanthropic organizations they work with.
• [46:07] Alastair talks about what he has learned over the years.
• [48:48] Alastair shares some other successful technologies and startups.
• [53:08] What would you say are two of your biggest challenges?
• [55:52] Alastair doesn't believe they are doing as much for women inventors and entrepreneurs as he wishes, and they hope to rectify that next year.
• [58:29] What organizations like AUTM are your office involved in?
• [1:00:21] Alastair shares his stand on credentialing.
• [1:03:05] Alastair discusses what he would like to see happen with his office in the coming years.
• [1:06:21] Thank you so much for being on the show!

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