About
Durham University’s innovative and impactful research transforms lives, making a difference, globally and locally. Ranked as a world top 100 university with an international reputation in research and education (QS World University Rankings 2025), Durham University is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK universities.
Within Durham University, the Research Commercialization team supports the commercialization of research outcomes, including developing IP strategies, patenting, licensing and spin out creation.
This experienced team deals with approximately 50-60 research disclosures each year, spins out 3-4 businesses annually, and manages a range of license deals on behalf of the University. The team works closely with academics to develop and support appropriate commercialization strategies for their research, and alongside their Business Development team who has strong links to industry and investor communities.
The challenge
Proactive outreach to find and engage with potential partners for commercialization remains challenging.
Timing is crucial, and speaking to the right industry networks at the right time, and knowing when they would be ready to invest, can be unpredictable, especially for new technologies with uncertain futures.
Limited resources and differences in communication styles between academia and industry can also complicate collaboration. Durham University was looking for a robust solution to help showcase their diverse research to a qualified network of R&D companies interested in strategic innovation partnerships.
The solution
Our cutting-edge match making platform, Inpart Connect, forms the foundation of a thriving network, uniting over 6,500 academic organizations, biotechs, pharma companies and investors. Inpart Connect empowers research institutes to commercialize their scientific endeavors by enhancing their visibility, accelerating partner discovery, and providing valuable strategic insights.
Inpart Connect is an intelligent user-friendly platform that uses Natural Language Processing (NLP), smart matchmaking algorithms and supervised machine learning to match technologies based on predefined needs and requirements. Each potential match is curated and handpicked by our team of in-house STEM experts.
Since 2017, Durham University has been leveraging Inpart Connect to showcase their technologies to a global network of top R&D professionals across physical and life sciences. The platform’s smart matchmaking algorithm and team of STEM experts have streamlined Durham University’s outreach efforts, significantly enhancing the visibility of their technology portfolio.
Inpart’s dedicated account managers provide ongoing support, assisting with technology uploads and ensuring alignment with best practices. Additionally, Durham University benefits from an integrated portal on their website, linking back to their technologies on Inpart, and receives comprehensive Impact Reports every 6 months.
These reports provide detailed analyses of key performance indicators (KPIs), encompassing feedback, the list of companies viewing their technologies, the number of matches engaged, and other engagement metrics. Universities can leverage these reports to monitor repeat views from companies and gauge industry interest, especially in conjunction with the feedback or introductions they receive.
The result
Inpart has facilitated connections for Durham University with R&D companies worldwide, opportunities that would have remained undiscovered outside of Inpart’s network.
From 2017 to 2024, Durham University has posted 22 technologies on Inpart Connect, garnering 29 personalized feedback responses and 65 introductions. Among these technologies is the Novel Herbicide Technology from the Department of Biosciences, which recently established a partnership with a leading agricultural innovator to address pesticide resistance.
- 22 technologies posted
- 65 introductions facilitated
- 29 personalized feedback
Initially listed on Inpart Connect in March 2019, the technology garnered 128 views, including those from the university’s website portal, across 23 companies. Inpart’s proactive outreach efforts on behalf of the university facilitated 1 feedback response and 6 introductions. In August 2020, Inpart facilitated an introduction between the industry partner and Durham University, culminating in the signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement in September 2022 and the establishment of a three-year collaboration partnership in 2023.
- 128 total views
- 23 companies reached
- 6 introductions facilitated
- 1 feedback response
The industry partner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is ranked as one of the top 25 agrochemical companies globally and specializes in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of crop protection products worldwide.
The collaboration will focus on uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying herbicide efficacy and plant cell death response. The industry partner’s financial support will reinforce this research endeavor, aligning with their dedication to fostering early-stage projects in crop protection. The research holds promise in reducing pesticide usage, thereby mitigating its environmental impact.
“Introducing a leading agricultural innovator to our herbicide technology has initiated discussions on collaborative projects, which is excellent news for us. Thank you for making this connection.”
Dr. Heather AllinsonSr. Technology Transfer Manager
