A Career in ...
Technology Transfer

What does your company do?

Valeo Management is a limited partnership, which commercialises technologies from a group of four Quebec universities.  We concentrate on promoting ideas with a solid business case that meet important industry needs. Most of Valeo Management's current activities involve technology transfer under licence and we work in close collaboration with the Research Bureaux from each university. Income is given back to the universities and the inventors. Valeo Management has also helped to create spin-off companies including two in biotech-pharma: AngioChem (blood-brain barrier vectors) and YD3 (medical device for measuring dynamically in 3D the characteristics of a knee).

Why is this important?

We ensure sustainability in development and commercialization of university research and the spread of of promising discoveries into society via business. We also set-up & fund proof-of-concept experiments that greatly increase the value of a technology. Without these experiments, potential licensees often do not consider the technology, rendering its commercialization more difficult or even improbable. 

What prompted you to leave research?

During my graduate studies, I quickly realised that I very much enjoyed giving seminars. I also wanted to be in contact with other people, communicating and presenting technologies, which I preferred to working at the bench.

How did you find the transition from university-based research to working in the commercial sector?

I actually found it smoother than I had expected. Maybe this was because I began in a start-up company where everyone had to multi-task in their work - we were all in the same boat!  I did notice, in the private sector, there is a greater emphasis on complying with deadlines in order to meet the needs of the market (“time-to-market” concept).

What skills from your research career were applicable to working in technical support management?

My clients were scientists working in private or public labs, so the years I spent in the lab prepared me adequately to understand their needs; resulting in an efficient service.

What new challenges did your current post bring?

The main challenge has been to develop my business flair and not to spend too much time evaluating the commercial potential of a technology.  The dynamics of business are not based on crystal-clear facts (as in science) but on taking risks and using instinct. Another challenge has been finding ways to tell some scientists that their research cannot be commercialized. There can be many reasons for this like intellectual property issues, production costs, competitors, absence of market for a technology, etc.

What advice can you offer to others thinking of a career in life science commercialisation / business development?

I would recommend contemplating a career in technology transfer, which is undergoing a very exciting and rapid evolution. Technology transfer and commercialization of research are by essence multi-disciplinary and the variety offered by a degree in microbiology is definitely an excellent preparation for this career pathway. Also many projects involve microbial processes such as protein production. I believe that holding an M. Sc. or a Ph. D. degree in a relevant field can be an asset, helping in the interaction with the scientists who feed the technology pipeline. Some experience in the private sector can also be a major asset.