2025 Conference Programme

It is no surprise that research led by academics is a breeding ground for new innovations and technologies, but finding the right industry partners remains a challenge, and successful connections rarely happen by chance. This session will provide concrete tips to enhance visibility, communicate value, and build lasting relationships with industry stakeholders. What are the most effective strategies to identify the right partners, and to connect to them? How to make your academic assets noticeable and valuable to stakeholders? From a pharma scouting perspective, how is the evolution of TTO practices perceived? How could TTOs increase their efforts to promote cutting-edge research and target the right stakeholders?

Bridging the gap between academic discoveries and industrial applications requires a solid proof of concept as well as tailored de-risking strategies. In this pivotal but complex step, partnerships can be an effective answer in helping to determine whether a research asset can pave the way for new technological advances. In this endeavour, close interaction and dialogue between different communities – such as research, market players and investors – is crucial to reduce technology and market risk. This session will explore examples of partnerships that have successfully transformed early-stage innovations into tangible opportunities and pre-commercial phases. Why choose a collaborative model to secure go/no go stages for innovation? What are the determinants for an effective partnership?