Time to plug the gap

“From the idea to the market - commercialisation of R&D works” was the topic of the discussion that was held during the Economic Forum in Karpacz. As pointed out by the participants of the discussion, the ability to extend knowledge, and - above all - transform it into new products, services and technologies, determines the market success of companies and the entire economy. Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship are at the core of development strategies of companies and the foundation for creating the wealth of nations. The panellists discussed the best ways to commercialise R&D projects and transfer technology between sectors, as well as analysed potential obstacles and problems involved in the implementation of R&D results. 

Focus on the entire support ecosystem 

The discussion was opened by Joanna Kwiecińska, Director for Strategic Projects at the European Innovation Centre, who indicated the strong trend of growing expenditure on research and development. - Since 2015, companies have been allocating increasingly large financial resources to R&D. The annual growth dynamics exceeds 20 per cent. – observed Kwiecińska.

As she pointed out, in 2015, the business sector allocated over 8 billion PLN for scientific research and development. Only three years later, this amount doubled to PLN 17 billion.

Andrzej Dybczyński, Director at Łukasiewicz Research Network – PORT, highlighted two challenges that Poland is facing in terms of the implementation of the results of scientific research.

- Undoubtedly, we have great scientists who come up with really great ideas. On the other hand, however, they have a tendency to opt for the so-called technology push model, offering their solutions without first taking into account the needs of businesses. What they, unfortunately, lack are the skills or willingness to adopt the so-called technology pull model, oriented towards the actual requirements of the entrepreneurs - said Dybczyński.

- Another important challenge are institutional solutions. Commercialisation of research solutions is often viewed as a process that is taking place exclusively between the scientific and business circles. However, we have to look at the issue from a holistic point of view. This process must take place within the entire institutional ecosystem - emphasised the head of Łukasiewicz Research Network – PORT. In Mr Dynczyński's opinion, scientists and companies are naturally indispensable parties to the process, but they cannot act alone.

Dybczyński believes that the whole network of institutions providing support and financing is of crucial importance for the success of the process of commercialisation of scientific ideas and solutions. As he remarked, the establishment of the Łukasiewicz Research Network has changed the landscape of innovations in Poland, facilitating contact between science and business. The most important change was greater openness and listening to the needs of business.

- Nowadays, entrepreneurs looking for scientific and technological support for their ideas can take advantage of an extensive research organisation, which is able to quickly prepare an offer covering the entire process line. Our organisation provides free of charge alternatives to those areas of projects that may be challenging, as well as recommends teams of experts and equipment for R&D works - added Dybczyński. 

Investing in knowledge pays off 

Adam Piotrowski, president of a stock exchange listed company VIGO System, which is a global leader in production of uncooled infrared photon detectors, admitted that institutions like Łukasiewicz Research Network are crucial and helpful for entrepreneurs.

- This kind of exchange of knowledge and information is working. I encourage other entrepreneurs to cooperate and - first and foremost - to invest in knowledge - commented Piotrowski. 

As he explained, when his company came across a problem a year and a half ago, he turned to two scientists for help. Together they mapped resources in order to implement and commercialise a photonic integrated circuit.  - Currently, this technology is at the core of my company's strategy. It will also be at the foundation of our revenue plans for 2026 and 2027. This shows the need for long-term planning of such investments - added the president of VIGO System. 

Tomasz Nasiłowski, president of InPhoTech, a company offering modern solutions based on fibre optic photonics to the industry sector, noted that a considerable problem for Poland is the lack of a big global technology company.

- There is no Polish Siemens or Alcatel. Such a large global player can be a driving factor for the entire industry. It also promotes a specific technological culture - explained Nasiłowski. 

The result is a poorly developed awareness of intellectual property in Poland, he added. He gave the example of California, where on the basis of a patent alone it is possible to obtain financing from banks. - Unfortunately, in our country, one does not always have a sense of creating real value when creating intellectual property. This needs to change, but it will be a long process - he observed. 

In Mr Nasiłowski's opinion, other challenges for Poland in terms of improving the degree of commercialisation of scientific research include a lack of a broader strategy for creating innovation both from the perspective of universities, entrepreneurs and state authorities. What is also of key importance is better education of students of technical universities, especially in terms of process management. 

Arkadiusz Wójs, Rector of the Wrocław University of Technology, discussed what the modern university of technology should be like. As he noted, universities have a whole range of duties - from noble ones, such as expanding knowledge for the benefit of the whole civilisation, to more down-to-earth tasks, such as providing technological support for the construction of a chimney in a nearby production plant. 

- There is certainly a difference between universities financed with public money and research institutes and centres that carry out technological projects for companies - said Wójs. 

In his opinion, overcoming obstacles to the commercialisation of R&D works is a considerable challenge due to relatively low investment outlays, both on science and economy, as well as insufficient number of scientists employed in enterprises. 

- Unfortunately, companies invest little in innovations. Many companies are assembly plants - subsidiaries, while the know-how is created elsewhere. Polish companies are also reluctant to taking risk. Perhaps this has its roots in Polish mentality, political uncertainty in our country, as well as the specific nature of our legislation - indicated the Rector.

As he added, unfortunately scientists also have a tendency to adopt a conservative approach and stay in their comfort zone rather than show initiative. 

Multiplying unnecessary patents 

The topic of the lack of willingness on the part of the academic community to take risks was continued by Prof. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, deputy head of the Department of Teleaudiology and Screening at the Institute of Hearing Physiology and Pathology. As Prof. Skarżyński observed, at times universities choose not to bear the financial risk related to patent implementation at all. 

- We once worked with a certain university on the commercialisation of an interesting patent. The cooperation turned out to be a failure. The university did not want to cover 10 percent of financing. It wanted 100 percent of the risk to be borne by someone else. This is, unfortunately, often the case - commented Skarżyński. 

Wojciech Murdzek, Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for Reform of the Functioning of Research Institutes, agreed that this was a common problem. As he added, after the recent changes, universities have recorded a sharp increase in terms of the number of registered patents, which, however, does not necessarily entail a qualitative leap. In his opinion, adjustments are needed to improve this mechanism. We are facing two major challenges that need to be addressed. 

- Two wide gaps remain in the process of commercialisation of academic research, and this is a problem not only for our country, but for countries all around the world. Upon completion of preliminary research, suddenly it turns out there is no funding to continue it. What is lacking is not only a system for project validation at that stage, but also a system for its financing. We want to change this with the NCBiR accelerator programme and targeted, precisely selected measures - said Mr Murdzek. 

- The second gap occurs at the stage when we already know that a given patent may be successful, but the problem is the transition to the production stage. We are also planning to address this problem with NCBiR and appropriate funds - he emphasised. 

Grzegorz Kądzielawski, Vice-President of the Azoty Group, discussed the issue of overcoming these obstacles.  - We have launched our own implementation centre. It is used not only for our own projects, but also for projects of external entities. It is linked with our acceleration programme - explained Mr Kądzielawski. 

- We offer financial support. We provide assistance both to formally organised groups, but also to individual scientists. Our assistance covers not only financial, but also legal and technical support. It pays off, since if a given scientific idea works, we can talk about its further commercialisation. Sometimes we become a shareholder in such a project and we can make money out of it in the future - he pointed out.