Full
BookletIntroduction to Isis
Isis Innovation Ltd is the technology transfer company of the University of Oxford, commercialising the research generated by University researchers and owned by the University.
Isis was established in 1988 and in 1997 started a major expansion phase; Isis is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Oxford. The University assigns its intellectual property to Isis (where there are no pre-existing exploitation arrangements) and Isis then evaluates, protects, and markets the intellectual property. Isis provides researchers with commercial advice, funds patent applications and legal costs, and negotiates exploitation and spin-out company agreements. Isis works on projects from all areas of the University's research activities: life science, physical science, humanities and business innovation ideas in a broader sense. Isis' main activities are:
Patents & Licensing
Isis files, on average, one patent application each week and manages over 300 patent application families. Isis seeks to license technologies to companies to develop and sell technology based products. Licensees are sought from all technology and business sectors on an international basis. A separate booklet is available from Isis: 'Intellectual Property, Patents & Licences'.
Forming Spin-out Companies
Isis has assisted in the formation of more than 20 University spin-out companies since 1997, generating significant value in equity holdings for the University of Oxford. Isis works with University researchers to develop new business opportunities, identifying and sourcing investment, management and professional services.
The Oxford Innovation Society, founded in 1990, enables industrial companies to benefit from Isis' activities by having a 'window' on Oxford science. Members enjoy advance notification of all patent applications filed by Isis, a regular news-letter and Intellectual Property Portfolio, as well as customised research presentations and seminars. The Society holds regular meetings and dinners for its members, which provide a unique environment for constructive interaction between business leaders, investors and top University scientists.
The Isis Angels Network introduces private investors and companies interested in investing in spin-out companies from the University of Oxford to investment opportunities. IAN is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, established by Isis in 1999. Members of IAN may also be interested in serving as non-executive directors, nominated by the University, on the boards of the new spin-out companies.
In 2000, Isis successfully won a grant from the Department of Trade and Industry under the Biotechnology Mentoring & Incubator Challenge. Isis has organised its BioForm activity to optimise the process of establishing new biotechnology companies. BioForm provides the skills necessary, together with a network of professionals, to put together thriving biotech companies.
Isis manages the University's £4m University Challenge Seed Fund, awarded in 1999 as part of the Government's University Challenge Fund Scheme. The aim of the Scheme is to fill a funding gap in the provision of finance for bringing university research discoveries to a point where their commercial usefulness can be demonstrated and the first steps taken to ensure their utility. A separate booklet is available from Isis on the University Challenge Seed Fund.