Transfers and opportunities

The transfer of technology or knowledge is the process consisting of valorising a research outcome from the University of Liège in order to render it commercially exploitable on the (socio-economic) market.

These results can be patented or not. It can consist of:

• a substance, a molecule, a material...;
• a machine, an electronic device...;
• technical software or not...;
• a method of work or analysis, or not;
• a brand, including that of the University of Liège.

The unique operator for negotiating and carrying out the technology transfers is the Business-University Interface.

Everything to know about the management of revenues from commercialisation

Gesval is in charge of the management of revenues from technology or knowledge transfers.

The University of Liège has adopted, for the benefit of our researchers (measure extended to FNRS and CHU researchers) , the rule known as the "three thirds principle" in allocating valorisation revenues*. The framework agreements with the FNRS and the CHU also provide for returns to these institutions.

*One third maximum for the researchers concerned: the researchers can individually waive the part due to them in favour of the laboratory on which they depend at the moment the invention was made. These revenues benefit from a special tax status, being taxed at a fixed rate of 34%.

A third minimum for the service(s) concerned: This non-reducible third may; however, be increased through contributions from researchers, if they decide to transfer them to the research unit.

The last third is conserved by the Institution, primarily for the purpose of maintaining the valorisation mechanism (patent funds, maturation, investment...). Since 2016, the University waives its share for the benefit of the other beneficiaries up to a profit of €25,000.

Evaluation and negotiation

• The technical and economic evaluation of the results and the negotiation of the transfer is a profession in its own right, mastered by the experts of the Interface.
• The technical evaluation consists of measuring what remains to be done to arrive at a commercial product, and to find the partners and the most adequate partnership mode to achieve this.
• The economic evaluation is above all function of the market demand, of the competitive advantage that the technology provides the partner, rather than the intrinsic scientific quality of the results. In a genuine partnership relation, this evaluation leads to a development plan for the technology elaborated with the partner, be it industrial or financial.
• The compensation method and its importance are very variable depending on the technological field, on the degree of maturity of the technology, on the development plan and on the nature of the partner. It is the mission of Gesval to find the best coordination for a sustainable partnership allowing the University to take part in the commercial success when it occurs. The processors have the tools, training and information necessary for the development of balanced proposals.
• Project management is performed within Gesval, which is equipped with the adequate tools to carry out professional management.