The “Technology Transfer Office IFO 2” project, acronym “TRIglIFO2”, is part of the tender for the financing of strengthening and capacity building projects of the Technology Transfer Offices (UTT) of Italian Universities, of Public Research Bodies (EPR) Italians and Scientific Hospitalization and Care Institutes (IRCCS) aimed at increasing the intensity of technological transfer flows towards the business system, to be financed within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 1 " Digitalisation, innovation, competitiveness, culture and tourism” - Component 2 “Digitalisation, innovation and competitiveness in the production system” – Investment 6 “Industrial property system” financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

The common denominator of the Scientific Hospitalization and Care Institutes (IRCCS) is the close link between Research and clinical activity, or their mission in translational research. In this, the IRCCS express their vocation towards more advanced biomedical Research compared to other health service Bodies, playing a Hub role in the transfer of knowledge. Among the main missions of the Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO) is the dissemination of the results of scientific Research through support for patenting policies and the strengthening of the capacity for commercial exploitation of the rights deriving from its intangible portfolio.

The aim of the project, therefore, is to strengthen the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) through greater attention paid to the protection and transfer of Industrial Property titles, increasing the opportunities for contact and promotion towards the industrial world, as well as the activities and initiatives aimed at encouraging the technological transfer of patent titles.

This project, in providing operational continuity, beyond the expiry of the first loan granted ("TRIglIFO" valid for the period between 01.09.2020 and 30.06.2023), aims to strengthen, for the period between 01.07.2023 and 06.30.2025, the operational structure of the IFO Technology Transfer Office, so that it can be projected towards greater dynamism and better interaction between Research, Industry and SMEs in the biotech and diagnostic sectors. The rationale behind the fact that IFOs will be able to benefit enormously from a strengthening of the operational structure of the TTO lies in the numerous activities that the Institutes already have in place in collaboration with the regional, national and international industrial fabric in the sectors of oncology and dermatology.

As anticipated, IFOs stand out nationwide for their high scientific productivity.

Over the past few years, numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of using RNA and DNA analysis technologies for the identification of relevant diagnostic biomarkers. These detection technologies are now used in a growing number of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests and enable low-cost detection, stratification, and therapeutic guidance. New molecular markers are at the center of numerous strategic plans, both at a national and international level. The institutional core business, in fact, is today focused on the filing of patent applications based on methods for detecting miRNAs within liquid/solid biopsy samples in order to understand the degree of risk of recurrence, persistence of tumors and also give it a predictive value.

This excellence, however, does not yet translate with the same effectiveness and efficiency in Technology Transfer. Starting from these premises, and from the observation that it is necessary to provide medical Research with a connection with the industrial world, the activity of the TTO must be able to implement strategies suitable for bringing patents to industrial maturity so that they can become certified diagnostics essays (CE-IVDR). We will therefore try to move from the discovery and patenting phase having a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) equal to 4/5 to a value equal to 7/8, as required by the reference market.

There are several results that are expected to be achieved through the project:

• The promotion and organization of clinical/translational Research in collaboration with public and private Bodies;
• The creation of valid conditions for the harmonious development of new knowledge and technological skills for a real osmosis with other structures and reference centers in the sectors of neoplastic and dermatological pathologies at a national and international level;
• Identification of the most appropriate protection methods for safeguarding the Industrial Property of IFOs and its inventors;
• The guarantee of economic valorization of the institutional patent portfolio and a freedom to operate in the experimentation and marketing of innovative products;
• Analysis of the innovative scope of the technologies, their competitive potential and evaluation of competing technologies;
• A constant internal technology scouting activity aimed at raising awareness among the Operational Units and encouraging internal exploratory Research to verify the innovative scope of inventions and identify the best possible path for protection, development and/or valorisation;
• An external open innovation strategy capable of identifying the intangible heritage worthy of protection and economic/patrimonial valorisation and of incentivising the promotion of an entrepreneurial culture of Research, considered an essential strategic value and a differentiated competitive advantage;
• Promotion/enhancement of Research results with a view to encouraging the creation of Spin-Off and/or Start-Up companies;
• Enhancement of the knowledge and skills of the resources operating within the IFO TTO: the KTM (Knowledge Transfer Manager) and the IP (Innovation Promoter);
• Commercial, co-development and exploitation agreements to be stipulated with various national and international companies operating in the sectors most similar to the institutional core business;
• Preparation of information materials and participation in dedicated events;
• Training and constant updating on issues relating to Technology Transfer.