Ateneo - UPO

The topics included in this course are: From an idea to an innovation: managing innovative projects, the teams, and the project management Managing and exploiting an invention: intangible assets, patents, and intellectual property From the lab to the market – the commercial exploitation of research: the tech transfer process and its different contracts, launching a startup, Funding a startup: angels, venture capitalists, corporate ventures, and collaborations The valuation of an intangible asset Business plan and business model canvas The due diligence process The elevator pitch The Lean Startup concept.

1. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, John Carreyrou, Knoft Publishing;
Letture suggerite:
2. The Lean Startup, Eric Ries, Crown Publishing;
3. 100 Great Businesses (and the minds behind them), Emily Ross e Angus Holland, Source Books Publishing;
4. Angel (how to invest in technology startups), Jason Calacanis, Harper Business Publishing;
5. Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, Joe Tidd e John Bessant, John Wiley & Sons Inc;
6. Innovation and Entrepreneurship; John Bessant e Joe Tidd, John Wiley & Sons Inc;
7. La Gestione Del Trasferimento Tecnologico - Strategie, Modelli E Strumenti, Andrea Piccaluga, Massimiliano Granieri e Giuseppe Conti;
8. Project Management: dall'idea all'attuazione. Una guida pratica per il successo; Marion E. Haynes, Franco Angeli;
9. Building Biotechnology: Biotechnology Business, Regulations, Patents, Law, Policy and Science, Yali Friedman, Logos Press.

The objectives of the Management of Innovation and Technology Transfer are to: * Introduce the problems in managing research projects and innovative life science projects * Define how to create value of innovative projects * Analyze the different ways of exploiting the value of innovative projects licensing or launching a startup * Understand the challenges in managing innovation.
The 3 ECTS assigned to the course are divided according to the following teaching formats:
* 1.5 ECTS of Executive / Direct Teaching (DE)
* 1.5 ECTS of Interactive Teaching / E-tivities (DI)

None

The course adopts an integrated teaching methodology that combines traditional lectures with active learning activities. Specifically, students will be engaged in:
(a) guided critical analysis and discussion of corporate case studies and innovation episodes in the Life Sciences sector;
(b) practical group exercises to develop a Business Model Canvas;
(c) interactive activities designed to foster independent judgment, critical thinking, personal synthesis, and communication skills.
Additionally, external guest speakers and experts may be invited to deliver presentations and seminars on topics within their specific expertise.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam consists of an integrated assessment designed to verify the achievement of the intended learning outcomes. The evaluation procedures are detailed below:
Structure of Exam Components:
• Final Group Project: Development and analysis of an innovation project and/or business plan, including the preparation of a concise presentation deck.
• Project Presentation: Oral group presentation of the developed project (estimated duration: approximately 15-25 minutes).
• Individual Interview: In-depth questions on the conducted analysis and the full course syllabus to assess the preparation of individual team members.
Grading Criteria and Weighted Contribution:
• Quality and thoroughness of the group project analysis: 40% of the final grade.
• Effectiveness of the presentation and communication skills: 30% of the final grade.
• Conceptual mastery and individual answers to oral questions: 30% of the final grade.
Grade Distribution Criteria and Scoring Bands:
• Grade 18-21 (Pass / Sufficient): Essential knowledge of theoretical concepts, group project complete in its baseline components, clear and basic presentation.
• Grade 22-26 (Satisfactory / Good): Good knowledge of theoretical contents, well-structured project analysis, and ability to answer individual questions with proper terminology.
• Grade 27-30 and Honors (Outstanding / Excellence): In-depth and thorough knowledge, capacity for independent critical reflection, highly original innovation project, and brilliant, highly effective presentation.
Recommended Study Materials:
To prepare for the exam components, students are advised to study the slides presented during lectures and the materials available on the online learning platform, alongside selected chapters from the recommended textbooks indicated in the reference section.

Technology Innovation Management: Definition of research, invention, and innovation; analysis of the innovation process and its different phases; the market pull and the technology push for product innovation; from academia to a company and the valley of death; the definition of entrepreneurship. Project Management: Definition of a project and a team; criteria selection of a project, the phases of a project, 12 steps in project management, challenges in managing projects and teams; the project life cycle; basic elements of project management (PM); analysis of factors involved in PM; SMART goals; conflict resolution Importance of the role of the Project Manager in dealing with conflicts and conflict resolution; the concept of stakeholders; project planning and tools; the GANTT chart; the Work Breakdown Structure; examples of PM. Technology (e)Valuation The concept of technology valuation and evaluation. Financing the startup: angels, Corporate Ventures, and Venture Capiitalists The concept of ownership dilution The exit strategy: when and how it is done Valuation models of an invention: The cost based approach, the market method, and the discounted cash flow method. Intellectual Property and its Exploitation: Overview on patents and the process to patent an invention, analysis, and discussion on requirements for patentability. Definition of the technology transfer process, analysis of best practice for a successful transfer of a technology, overview of contracts and agreements in the transfer of a technology, review of the patenting process in general and in different geographical areas. The business plan: Overview of Business Plan and its different sections; the elevator pitch and the presentation Intro to the concept of Business Plan (BP) Different purposes of a BP Different models of BPs Description and in-depth analysis of the different sections of a business plan, specifically: Executive Summary, Company description Management team Product(s) Market Competition, and Marketing activities The Business Model Canvas and the Lean Startup model Overview of the Business Model Canvas (BMC); analysis of the 9 components of the BMC; examples of BMC; definition of the Lean Start-up and the minimum viable product, the concept of the Lean Startup. Gender mainstreaming: approaches to grant equal benefits in actions and activities for women and mens and for eliminating gender inequalities.

The course aims to present key concepts underlying the exploitation of research results, with a specific focus on life sciences and the professional profile of Food Health and Environment graduates. The intended learning outcomes are structured according to the 5 Dublin Descriptors:
• Knowledge and understanding: Understand the theoretical principles and models of innovation project management, technology transfer, intellectual property protection (patents, licensing), and startup financing mechanisms in the Life Sciences and biotech sectors.
• Applying knowledge and understanding: Be able to analyze a scientific idea or technological process from an entrepreneurial perspective, construct a Business Model Canvas, and define the key elements of a Business Plan and commercialization strategy.
• Making judgements: Be able to critically evaluate the sustainability, economic feasibility, and overall impact of innovative projects, identifying and weighing risk factors across different stages of research valorization.
• Communication skills: Be able to present an innovative project clearly, concisely, and persuasively to technical stakeholders and investors (via executive pitch decks), collaborating effectively within a team.
• Learning skills: Ability to independently locate, interpret, and process technical, patent, or market documentation in the life sciences field to remain continuously updated on technological advancements.
Achievement Criteria for Learning Levels:
• Baseline Pass Threshold (Sufficiency): Demonstrate basic knowledge of innovation management concepts, understanding of business plan structure, and the ability to present the developed project simply and correctly.
• Advanced Level (Excellence): Demonstrate high autonomy in critically analyzing complex business models, rigor in applying technology evaluation tools, and brilliant, concise, well-argued communication during the presentation and individual interview.