Academicians have started to realize that research taking place in the lab should not stay only inside scientific journals but need to be translated into technology for the benefit of mankind and should also act as source for generating revenue for further research. Thus, renowned universities and research institutes have now started separate arms that can help in technology transfer of the research being done at the institutes. One such example is Exploit Technologies in Singapore.

Exploit Technologies (ETPL) is the technology transfer arm of the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore. ETPL was formed to commercialize the outcome of A*STAR research institutes and consolidate the patent portfolio of the institutes under A*STAR's ownership. BioSpectrum connects with Mr Philip Lim, CEO, ETPL to know more about ETPL, their recent announcements and future plans.

Please tell us about how ETPL was formed?
ETPL had its beginnings as the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB). It was officially named Exploit Technologies as a wholly-owned subsidiary A*STAR in 2002, when NSTB became A*STAR. Today, we're called ETPL. As the commercialization arm of A*STAR, we translate A*STAR's inventions into marketable products.

ETPL is a one-stop resource that bridges the gap between research and market. Our officers work very closely with their A*STAR counterparts to identify market opportunities and promising research as well-as-work with scientists and industry players to create licensing and spin-off opportunities.

In addition, we manage A*STAR's patent portfolio, provide gap funding for scientists to develop and productise their work, engage the ecosystem through outreach including conferences, forums and other forms of outreach, and we link scientists with industry.

Please share with us the various milestones that ETPL has achieved since its inception?
ETPL has had a busy decade. We manage more than 3,500 active patents and applications. We have granted more than 400 licences for A*STAR technologies, with realized imputed commercial value (RICV) of more than $500 million since inception. RICV is defined as the value the licensee is expected to have generated from incorporating the technology. ETPL has spun off more than 40 start-ups including biotechnology, ICT, manufacturing, shiipping, and more. ETPL has contributed to the economy by closing six times the number of licensing agreements since its inception in 2002.