Please find below details of the upcoming session on Open Innovation, jointly hosted by the Royal Statistical Society’s Business and Industrial Section (BIS) and Reading Local Group. If you plan to attend, please respond to Richard Everitt ([log in to unmask]) so we have an idea of numbers for catering.
 
A pdf of this advert is available at http://goo.gl/ZgwATJ
 
Open Innovation
 
11th February 2015
16:00-18:00 (with drinks and networking from 15:30)
Room 113, Mathematics Building, Reading University
Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading RG6 6LA
 
Directions:
The meeting is on the first floor of the Mathematics Building, which is building number 4 on the map at http://goo.gl/AtV6rU.  The university is easily accessed by bus from the railway station (see http://goo.gl/Ybe9AB for further details).  Parking is limited on campus - please contact Richard Everitt ([log in to unmask]) if you require a parking permit.
 
Abstracts
 
Open modes of innovation:  International evidence on the use of external collaborations
Professor Giuliana Battisti
Warwick Business School
A vast literature recognises that the intensive use of external search and collaborations is an important factor affecting firm performance and firm organisation. However, little is known about its spatial distribution. Using large scale empirical evidence the extent of openness across developed and developing economies is explored. Special emphasis is put on its influence upon the performance of innovation leaders and innovation followers as well as the presence of a substitution effect with respect to traditional R&D and patents.  The role of endogenous skills is also considered.  
The sources of external collaborations investigated include universities, customers, suppliers, competitors, government, private research labs and consultants. 
 
 
Developing effective partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry: an academic’s experience
Prof. Benjamin J. Whalley
Professor of Neuropharmacology and School Director of Research
School of Chemistry, Food and Nutritional Sciences
University of Reading.
Academic research in the life and health sciences has traditionally sought funding from government (e.g. Research Councils) to study basic mechanisms underlying health and disease. While such efforts remain a vital component of academic research, more recent emphasis (e.g. REF2014) on the demonstration of societal impact from research in these areas has catalysed greater interaction between academics, industry and the third sector and been termed Open Innovation. Moreover, many UK universities win a greater proportion of their overall research income from charitable and industrial sources than from Research Councils; something which should be taken into account when devising strategies to increase research income and success.  
This presentation will describe some of the opportunities and challenges that face academics and industry when considering the benefits and risks associated with such partnerships. The speaker has worked extensively with industry (e.g. GW Pharmaceuticals, UCB Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, GE, GSK) and charity (Ataxia UK) partners either via directly negotiated contracts or via organised competitions for grant funding (e.g., NC3Rs CRACK-IT or TSB challenges) in the area of preclinical drug development in central nervous system disorders. This work has led to a number of international patents and ongoing Phase II and III human clinical trials of non-psychoactive components of cannabis for use in the treatment of life-threatening childhood epilepsies. By using examples from this experience, we will consider different approaches that can be taken to intellectual property, price negotiation, strategies for publication, publicising and marketing academic expertise, network building and the management of impact when working with these partners. Practical advice for academics when first engaging with industry and third sector partners will also be provided in order to avoid common pitfalls and misconceptions.
 
 
Open Innovation and the Mondelēz International “Call for Wellbeing”
Dr Miles Eddowes
Associate Director of Open Innovation at Mdlz
Mondelēz International is the $36billion turnover portfolio of global food brands that had been part of Kraft Foods Inc up to its corporate split in Oct 2012.  The company has a long history of working with different models of collaborative research and product development stretching back before the term Open Innovation itself was coined.  This talk will review a selection of case studies for learnings on how important it is to match the choice of partner and the type of relationship for each unique innovation need.  By taking a look at the Mondelēz International strategy for Mindful Snacking and Sustainable Resources, a number of areas will be highlighted where further innovation is required in the way the company innovates.

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