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Delve into the dynamics of science collaboration in the high-tech industry, focusing on Agilent Technologies' university partnerships, funding approaches, and challenges. Learn about shifts in research focus and conflicts encountered during negotiations.
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Roles and Perspectives in Science Collaboration – the view of the high-tech industry Dr. Peter KurzAgilent Technologies International SàrlMorges25 April 2005
Test andMeasurement Automated Test Life Sciences andChemical Analysis SemiconductorProducts $2.9B $2.0B $0.9B $1.3B Agilent Revenue – FY04 Agilent Laboratories
Agilent’s university collaborationsBasic observations & shifts in direction • More basic research and less applied research @ universities, due to internal shifts in Agilent. Sometimes of philanthropic nature (e.g., funding a professorship). • Not much contract research (of the type „Run this project for us“), rather funding of research conducted at the university, provided Agilent has an interest in the results. Exception: projects where only the university has expertise • Some research funded by EU or local governments • Acquisition of university spin-offs or university IP
Agilent’s university collaborationsRecent Issues • Universitites under too much pressure to commercialize & do not understand a) the investments required for product development, b) the limits of IP protection and c) the basis of profit calculation. E.g., a 20% royalty on a lab-status technology is usually not an option, unless there are special leverages. Examples: • Equity investment in spin-off failed because there were only 3 recently filed patent applications and one of the professors held unspecified rights in them • Expected royalty rate was so excessive that Agilent decided not to fund a project, but rather hire a scientist from the university. Now, government money could not be assigned
Agilent’s university collaborationsConflicts • In our experience, conflicts arise rather during the negotiation of the contract, than during execution. • There is one essential bottleneck that has a name: University Legal Departments. (Slow in response, no power to compromise, ...)One particular issue with the revision of § 42 Inventor Code in Germany: the professor is no longer the owner of his/her inventions. => 3 or 4 parties to agree (funding company, university, professor, student if any). Agilent has split up the agreements into 3 for that purpose.
