ATP Innovations signs MoU with CSU, Wagga Wagga

Technology business commercialisation centre ATP Innovations has entered an agreement with Charles Sturt University and Wagga Wagga City Council to help put research on the track to market.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed last week the partnership will give CSU access to vital expertise to evaluate the commercial viability of its research while providing new conduits for commercialisation.

The Sydney-based ATPi will also bring to the collaboration a presence in that city's markets to provide business opportunities for the university's technology and the Wagga Wagga region.

Under the terms of the MoU, the parties have agreed to undertake an "enhanced interaction in the area of technology evaluation and commercialisation with a special focus on adding value to emerging enterprises or academics seeking commercialisation assistance".

ATPi chief Dr Mark Bradley conceived the collaborative idea after visiting Wagga Wagga with the NSW Innovation Council last year, followed by another visit with the NSW Department of State and Regional Development.

The result was a state-wide program known as the Regional BioBusiness Outreach Program.

Bradley said the latest partnership was a unique opportunity for ATPi to extend its reach into regional Australia, with the agreement hopefully providing a commercialisation model that could be replicated in other regions of NSW.

"We are delighted to be working together on this project, it's very exciting and we have high hopes for positive commercial outcomes," Bradley said.

CSU Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Training Prof. Paul Burnett said the agreement would ultimately benefit the Wagga Wagga community and economy.

"This an exciting initiative for the University's Wagga Wagga based researchers particularly those researching in two of our areas of research strength, namely agricultural and medical biotechnology," Burnett said.

Wagga Wagga's Mayor, Cr Kevin Wales, said the long-term objective of the partnership was to develop new industries that would generate regional jobs based on the research capabilities of CSU.

"Leveraging off the expertise at CSU, we hope to cement Wagga Wagga's place in the delivery of new technology and translate that knowledge base into new industry for the city," Wales said.

The partnership will involve improved information flow on related policy developments, joint projects including opportunities for personnel and the pursuit of infrastructure development in Wagga Wagga to assist technology commercialisation efforts.