Biotech innovation commercialization at Universities in South Africa

In this episode I spoke to Saberi Marais, an Innovation Commercialization Manager for the University of Cape Town in South Africa; part of Research Contracts and Innovations. He commercializes the University's research outputs to realize their intended impact in society and return on capital. Saberi has extensive experience in deep technology invention valorization, project and business fund raising, deal structuring, investment funds management through the different stages of technology development and Venture Capital. He is experienced in a variety of industry sectors; including inventions in healthcare, medical devices, human and animal vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, biotechnology, renewable energy and various software and hardware applications. He was awarded the coveted DSI/ SARIMA Award for Professional Excellence in Innovation Management in 2020. He is a member of the SA Startup Act Movement steering committee. His previous work roles included the Head of the Seed Fund Programme at the Technology Innovation Agency where he oversaw the implementation, management and pipeline growth of the early-stage technology-enabling Fund; he worked as a Business Development Manager at Innovus, Stellenbosch University; and the SA Medical Research Council's Innovation team. Our very insightful conversation went quite in depth on several topics including: The role of universities in this whole innovation ecosystem Lessons learnt from the golden triangle in the UK and other ecosystems Examples of university spin out companies part of the biotech value chain in South Africa: Unistel medical laboratories from Stellenbosch university, Smart Spot from Wits university, Hyrax biosciences from UWC, Resyn biosciences from the CSIR, Cape Biopharms and Cape Biologics, Impulse biomedical from University of Cape town. Factors that set apart successful biotech startups and specifically university spin outs The IPR Act and other policies that govern the creation of biotech companies in South Africa The role of technology transfer offices at universities Various commercialization scenarios The evolution of the funding landscape in South Africa Trends to focus on in South Africa for a sustainable Biotech ecosystem in the near future