Intellectual Property and licensing
Our innovative researchers deliver practical solutions to global challenges, and the resulting IP supports technology development that increases industrial efficiency, delivers sustainability, contributes to a thriving planet and drives advances in healthcare.
Express licensing
The Midlands Innovation Commercial Innovation of Research Accelerator (MICRA) has an express licensing portal that provides easy access to software, tools, publications, copyright materials, and research materials from eight partner universities.
Find out more on the MICRA Gateway
Our spin-out companies
Our spin-outs develop technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, microbial gene sequencing, and advanced biomaterials, and operate in sectors including biomedical, energy storage, rail transport, education, advanced medical therapies, diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and water treatment.
More on our spin-out portfolio
Reducing the world’s carbon emissions
Most of the world’s steel is produced via blast furnaces which produce iron from iron ore, and basic oxygen furnaces which turn that iron into steel, and this energy-intensive industry generates around 9% of total global CO2 emissions.
Birmingham researchers devised a ‘closed loop’ carbon recycling system that can be used to adapt existing blast and basic oxygen furnaces. The system replaces much of the coke used in the furnace, and reduces emissions by up to 90%.
Supporting treatment of rare cancers
The University of Birmingham and ORPHELIA Pharma extended their collaboration to leverage patient-level data of the BEACON trial to support the marketing authorisation of the first oral liquid paediatric formulation of temozolomide, developed for use in the treatment of relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma, which carries a very poor prognosis.
Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer usually diagnosed in young children, who have difficulty swallowing tablets, and Kizfizo (temozolomide oral suspension, 40 mg/ml) has been specifically developed as a taste-masked liquid to meet the needs of this patient population.
Novel training methods for social workers
A new research-based 360-degree video training package, that encourages effective relationship-based practice in child protection work, has been launched by the University of Birmingham and Sandwell Children's Trust and can be purchased by Local Authorities across the UK, making it accessible to social workers.
RIVRT (Research Informed Virtual Relationship-based Practice Training) is based on original research and created by the University of Birmingham with social workers, managers and young people at Sandwell Children’s Trust, and uses VR headsets and immersive videos allowing trainees to follow a social worker’s engagement with a family over 11 months.
Our IP in the news
Contact us
We always welcome general enquiries about commercial development and licensing, or our activities in specific technology areas. Contact us to see if we can help your mission succeed.
Key contacts
Jerel Whittingham, Head of IP and Commercialisation
Email Jerel Whittingham
Siobhan Daniels, Senior Spin-out Development Manager
Email Siobhan Daniels
Dr Anna Isakova, Senior Business Development Manager (Engineering and Physical Sciences)
Email Anna Isakova
Veemal Bhowruth, Senior Business Development Manager (Life Sciences)
Email Veemal Bhowruth