AIM: FIPP
14 September 2016
Frontier IP Group Plc
("Frontier IP" or the "Group")
Agreement with the Faculty of Science and Technology of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
Frontier IP, which specialises in the commercialisation of intellectual property, is pleased to announce that it has today signed an agreement with the Faculty of Science and Technology within the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal ("FCT NOVA") to assist with its spin-off and licensing activities emerging from its research programmes. This partnership is Frontier IP's second in Portugal and reflects the Group's view that there is significant opportunity in the region.
The Universidade NOVA de Lisboa is a research-intensive university (QS Top Universities 2016) and FCT NOVA, its engineering school, has particular research strengths in Materials, Environment, Energy, Biotechnology, Conservation and Restoration. Frontier IP and FCT NOVA will work together to maximise the commercial value of intellectual property developed within or owned by FCT NOVA. Frontier IP will receive a share of equity in each spin-off company created by FCT NOVA, as well as a share in the licensing revenue it receives.
FCT NOVA is an active research collaborator, both within Portugal and internationally, and its partners include Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Carnegie Mellon and the University of Texas at Austin, amongst others. The collaboration with Frontier IP aims to accelerate value creation from the research generated within FCT NOVA and provide access to early stage funding, commercialisation expertise and a wider network of industrial partners.
The signing of the agreement was attended by Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic, Mrs Kirsty Hayes. Addressing the audience, the Ambassador emphasised the importance of effective commercialisation of the intellectual property being generated through the investment in research and development in Portugal's universities. The UK has strong experience of intellectual property commercialisation and it has been a principle focus for British universities to develop a portfolio of intellectual property which has relevance to the business world.
Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic, Mrs Kirsty Hayes, said:
"I am delighted by the announcement of this important agreement between Frontier IP and FCT NOVA, which will drive the commercialisation of intellectual property from one of the leading Portuguese universities, which has a strong reputation for investment in research and development. This agreement represents a further strengthening of collaboration between Portugal and the United Kingdom."
Neil Crabb, Chief Executive of Frontier IP, said:
"We are delighted that FCT NOVA has chosen us as its commercialisation partner. This agreement gives us access to FCT NOVA's excellent research base and builds on the strong relationships with the industrial partners and academic institutions which we have already established in the region. We are looking forward to working with FCT NOVA to further develop and commercialise its strong intellectual property portfolio."
Dr. Fernando Santana, Director of FCT NOVA, said:
"Frontier IP has a strong reputation in the commercialisation of university-based technologies. We hope that this agreement will bring increased international visibility to FCT NOVA's portfolio, making it an even more successful institution by maximizing the impact of its knowledge. This shows FCT NOVA's commitment to innovation, which benefits the institution and the wider society it serves."
Enquiries
Frontier IP Group Plc |
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T: 0131 240 1251 |
Neil Crabb, Chief Executive |
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Company website: www.frontierip.co.uk |
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Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker) |
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T: 020 7894 7000 |
David Foreman, Catherine Leftley, Corporate Finance |
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David Banks, Sales |
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Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited (Joint Broker) |
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T: 020 7469 0935 |
Lucy Williams |
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Kreab |
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T: 020 7074 1800 |
Robert Speed, Matthew Jervois |
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Notes to Editor:
About Frontier IP Group plc
www.frontierip.co.uk
Frontier IP specialises in assisting institutions and companies in the commercialisation and exploitation of their intellectual property. It establishes formal and informal relationships with sources of exploitable IP, principally universities. Its core business is building and growing a portfolio of equity stakes in spin-out companies by taking an active involvement in the commercialisation and funding of these businesses.
About Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Faculty of Science and Technology
http://www.fct.unl.pt
FCT NOVA is one of the most prestigious Portuguese engineering and science public schools and it is engaged in extensive research activity developed in 16 research centres involving 1600 PhD and Master's students and a total of 550 academic staff (90% holding a Ph.D). FCT NOVA partners with foreign universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Carnegie Mellon and the University of Texas at Austin to offer some of its advanced study programs. The entrepreneurial drive of the students and graduates of FCT NOVA has led to many successful spin-offs that transfer knowledge to the market and help create value and social impact.
