WORKING WITH MRC TECHNOLOGY

How do we work with MRC scientists?

MRCT has a dedicated Business Manager (BM) for every MRC Unit and Institute. Each BM is a PhD level scientist, and most have post-doctoral research experience. BMs are allocated to Units based on their own scientific background and they are therefore able to understand the technical issues behind your invention.

Patent, Legal and Commercial Expertise

In addition to the scientific expertise required to hold a meaningful conversation with you about your science, a large number of MRCT staff (including BMs) have a track record of achievement in industry and business.

We can assess patentability and commercial potential using our extensive experience and knowledge. We file and manage patents with the assistance of professional patent agents and market your inventions to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries through an broad network of contacts.

Finally, when deals are struck, our legal team is able to put together strong licence agreements with our new partners to facilitate the accelerated development of new products from MRC science.

Awards to Inventors

The MRC allocates a share of its income from licensing and sale of its intellectual property to the scientists and Units that contribute to this. Called the ‘Awards to Inventors’ scheme (ATI), this is intended to encourage maximum involvement in the exploitation of research. Inventor(s) receive full payment up to the first £1,400 that an invention earns, a third of any earnings up to £80k, a quarter up to £600k, a fifth up to £1.5m, 15 per cent up to £15m and 10 per cent of any earnings over £15m. And for any intellectual property that generates earnings of at least £80k, Units receive the same share as inventors.