---
title: "What should be the exit strategy and technology transfer of diverse academic seeds? | From Japan to Belgium: A Biotech Field Report Series"
description: Explore Dr. Naohiko Aketa's insights on technology transfer and exit strategies for biotech ventures, focusing on spin-offs and collaborative innovation from Japan to Belgium.
---

[Blog | Solvay Lifelong Learning ](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog)

# [What should be the exit strategy and technology transfer of diverse academic seeds? | From Japan to Belgium: A Biotech Field Report Series](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog/exit-strategy-and-technology-transfer-of-diverse-academic-seeds)

 Written by [Dr Naohiko Aketa](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog/author/dr-naohiko-aketa) | 11/13/24 3:39 PM

Dr Naohiko Aketa came from Japan to join our Advanced Master in Biotech and Medtech Ventures. In this series, originally published in Japanese on the[ Nikkei Biotechnology & Business Publications](https://bio.nikkeibp.co.jp/), he shares insights into his experience. We’re pleased to re-publish parts of his reflections in English for our blog readers.

[Find the full, original articles in Japanese here.](https://bio.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/column/16/091500081/)

**“Even the Flemish universities, which are internationally leading in the field of biotechnology, have a wealth of intellectual property in terms of quantity and diversity,** but **not enough specialised personnel**—in the life sciences sector—to make appropriate use of it and promote its development internationally. **TTOs act as a bridge between universities and companies, providing support for IP strategies.** The TTA supports the effective transfer of promising research results to industry. **After the course, under the guidance of the TTO,** a group assignment was given to conduct an **FTO study** of a real project and develop a business strategy.

 

> **Open innovation is an approach in which not just one organisation, but several research institutions and companies work together to develop new ideas and technologies.**

 

In addition to collaborating with companies (e.g., through joint research) and **licensing patents and technologies,** there are other ways to bring the results of universities and other research institutions into society, such as the **creation of spin-offs and spin-outs.**

**Notably, when innovative technologies that challenge conventional wisdom emerge,** they require a **development approach that differs from the existing framework** and, moreover, **if this competes with existing technologies, it may be difficult for large companies to promote the new technology.** In such cases, **the creation of spin-offs/spin-outs is considered,** but it is **not easy for university researchers with limited experience to take technology development forward.** In addition, experienced managers who can be relied upon are often reluctant to become managers of high-risk start-ups. **As a result, more than 90% of start-ups misjudge their development timelines and fail to raise funding in time.**

 

> **So what elements need to happen for a spin-off/spin-out to be successful? The "6 T's" were introduced during the course as points that developers need to consider from an investment perspective: technology, team, timing, terms, and transparency.**

 

**In 2005, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman made the groundbreaking discovery that replacing some of the components of mRNA can inhibit inflammatory responses in vivo.** The significance of this was not understood at the time, and **the company they founded the following year, RNARx, did not achieve significant results;** in 2010, Moderna, a US company, was founded based on their findings, and the following year **Karikó and BioNTech (Germany) started a collaboration.** Subsequently, **Moderna (US) and BioNTech (Germany) (co-developed with Pfizer)** separately carried out research and development of mRNA vaccines, and **during the COVID-19 pandemic,** they succeeded in bringing a **vaccine to the world in the shortest development time in history.**

**This case illustrates that even with superior technology, the path to widespread societal adoption is not easy and depends on many factors.** Sometimes, **development through collaborative research or licensing to other companies can bring technologies and products to society more quickly than a spin-off/spin-out.”**

* *

- Are you interested in joining our latest cohort? See all the information about the [Advanced Master in Biotech & MedTech Ventures on our programme page! ](https://exed.solvay.edu/11-program/1050-advanced-master-in-biotech-and-medtech-ventures?hsLang=en)
- [See all articles in this series ](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog/tag/japantobelgiumbiotechreportseries?hsLang=en)

[View full post](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog/exit-strategy-and-technology-transfer-of-diverse-academic-seeds)

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