Press Release - Delivering the Commercialisation of Public
Sector Science
8 February 2002
Sir John Bourn, the Head of the NAO, reported to Parliament
today that there has been progress in capturing for the nation more
of the economic and social benefits of scientific research funded
by the taxpayer. Commercialisation can range from making research
outputs available to all, free of charge, to forming companies to
develop innovative products in partnership with the private sector.
Following agreement with the Treasury in 1999, scientific
establishments have kept money made from their research and used it
to sustain further commercialisation and further research.
Sir John found that a wide variety of commercialisation
activities are taking place across the diverse range of research
establishments, including a number of projects that offer the
prospect of real health improvements in areas as diverse as asthma,
cancer care and women’s health as well as innovations in the plant,
animal and earth sciences.
The public sector also stands to benefit financially. The report
shows that some £17 million of annual income is being generated
from existing projects across the establishments examined.
Commercialisation projects are innovative and their success cannot
be guaranteed but Sir John suggests that a thorough approach to
risk management will increase the chances of success and help to
minimise the impact of failure.
Sir John considers that effective commercialisation is not
possible without an enabling culture, and that committed leadership
has been evident in areas where the most progress has been made.
The report suggests that effective accountability and appropriate
rewards for the contributions of scientists and other specialists
all help to build an enabling culture. He also notes that research
establishments should continue to manage actively any conflicts of
interest that emerge as a result of commercial work.
Successful projects need the right skills and sufficient
resources. Sir John welcomes the employment in some research
establishments of skilled commercial people to manage intellectual
property and negotiate with private sector partners. Although some
additional finance has been allocated, many research
establishments’ commercialisation activity is limited in part by
the scarcity of resources.
To help increase the number and quality of commercialisation
projects, the report makes a number of recommendations, including
reviews of research establishments’ commercial performance against
a well thought through strategy; increased recognition of
commercial activity in individuals’ appraisals; and reviews of
existing intellectual property and commercial budgets.
Sir John Bourn said today:
"I have said on many occasions that I support worthwhile
and well thought through innovation and risk taking in the public
sector. Successful commercial projects building on the excellence
of our scientific research offer the prospect of valuable benefits
for the country. A real commitment to success and a thorough
approach to managing the risks involved in these projects is
vita."
Notes for Editors
- Commercialisation is about helping the nation to make the most
of advances in science made through publicly funded research. This
can range from making research outputs available to all, free of
charge, to forming companies to develop innovative products in
partnership with the private sector. Sir John’s report assesses the
capacity of our scientific research establishments to meet the
cultural, practical and commercial challenges of commercialising
the know-how and intellectual property arising from scientific
research findings.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website at http://www.nao.org.uk/ Hard copies can
be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702 3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the
head of the National Audit Office employing some 750 staff. He and
the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 11/02
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