News Alerts

International experts appointed to Innovation Review

Four international innovation experts have agreed to provide advice to the review of Australia's National Innovation System.

The international experts are:

• Professor Alan Hughes of the University of Cambridge (UK). Professor Hughes works on the measurement of innovation, in small and medium enterprises, measurement and evaluation of industrial and business support policy. Professor Hughes will be visiting Australia 7-11 April and will meet the review panel of the review of the National Innovation System. He will also be giving a seminar hosted by the Australian Business Foundation on 10 April in Sydney.
• Professor Richard Lester of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA). Professor Lester works on industrial innovation and the management of technology, national and regional productivity, competitiveness and innovation performance. Professor Lester works on a broad range of multidisciplinary research projects concerning the uses of science and technology in industry and the implications for society and the global economy. He will visit Australia in May to work with the panel and its working groups and assist with roundtables and workshops.
• Professor Stan Metcalfe of the University of Manchester (UK). Professor Metcalfe works on the development of science and innovation policy in the UK. He specialises in evolutionary economics in relation to innovation, competition and economic growth, and the development of science and technology policy and management strategies. Professor Metcalfe will be in Australia in June to work with the Review panel as it drafts its report.
• Professor Keith Smith from the Australian Innovation Research Centre. Professor Smith has worked in Europe for many years on innovation policy. His research work includes the nature and dynamics of innovation processes and innovation systems, innovation in low-technology industries and innovation statistics, and the development of science, technology and innovation policy.

Other participants in the review, in addition to the 11-member Expert Panel chaired by Dr Terry Cutler, are Nick Donofrio, IBM’s Global Vice-President and Head of Innovation and Technology and Professor Mark Dodgson, Director of the University of Queensland’s Technology and Innovation Management Centre.

Submissions to the Review are open until 30 April.

More information is at http://www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview

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ARC Fellowships open to international researchers

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, has stated that that Australian Research Council (ARC) fellowships, , including the new Future Fellowships scheme, will be progressively opened to greater international competition.

Senator Carr said that opening ARC fellowships to the best Australian and international researchers was part of a suite of improvements to ARC funding schemes to create and enhance international research collaboration opportunities.

Other changes include:

• Allowing Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry), available under the ARC Linkage scheme, to be awarded to the highest calibre postgraduate students irrespective of nationality;
• Removing restrictions on the use of ARC funds for travel for international collaborators; and
• Making enhanced international collaboration a priority for all ARC fellowship schemes.
• Senator Carr said the changes will bring ARC schemes into line with those of overseas counterpart agencies

More information is at http://www.arc.gov.au.

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Funding for Learned Academies

Australia’s Learned Academies have been awarded $561,272 over two years for research into issues of public interest including nuclear energy, nanotechnology safety, multiculturalism, workforce needs, and new approaches to illness and wellness. The funding is provided under the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects scheme.

The new research projects will:

• explore aspects of integration and multiculturalism in Australia, like language use, marriage patterns, location and political participation, to learn how they contribute to social cohesion, development of a common national identity and core values, and to inform public policies on migrant settlement, citizenship testing, national security and social integration. (Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia)
• develop a comprehensive picture of the current and future state of Australia’s humanities capability to inform government, industry and community responses to national priority areas of workforce need. (The Australian Academy of the Humanities)
• examine the use of technology enhanced language learning activities as a university retention strategy and inform the sector on best practice for teaching the widest possible range of languages other than English (The Australian Academy of the Humanities)
• shape new approaches to illness/wellness through applications of converging technologies, eg. smart packaging, air and water treatments with neuronal chips and robotics. (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering)
• analyse the research of historians, political analysts, physicists, environmentalists, legal analysts, economists, cultural critics, anthropologists and others to clarify the political, scientific, environmental and social contexts in which decisions on nuclear energy are made. (National Academies Forum)
• examine nanotechnology research trends and priorities in Australia and develop appropriate criteria for assessing the health, safety and environmental risks on a case-by-case basis for different applications. (Australian Academy of Science)

For more information, visit http://www.arc.gov.au.

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Australia to get technology exchange

Australia’s first technology exchange, the Asia Pacific Technology Exchange (APTEX), is to be established in Sydney in a joint venture between NSX Limited, which owns and operates the National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSXA), and Enterprise Pacific Limited, a non-profit company established under the Pacific Technology Corridor Business Plan.

The new exchange, which will be similar to NASDAQ in the United States and AIM in the United Kingdom, will  assist emerging and established technology companies to raise capital. It is expected to be operating towards the end of the year, and at its launch is likely to list around 20 companies. One company, Armatex Group, headed by former racing driver, Mr Frank Matich and with Mr Gerry Harvey as a significant investor, is already lined up to list on APTEX, and six or seven are moving towards listing. Armatex has a patented technology for applying a light weight but toughened plastic coating to core wood, polystyrene and cardboard products, creating new packaging applications which are currently being commercialised.

The chairman of Enterprise Pacific, Geoff Mullins, said that giving technology companies easier access to capital was “the key to ensuring they retain a national link while becoming globally competitive.”

He said the location of APTEX in North Sydney’s Pacific Technology Corridor was a step towards establishing a technology precinct that would create 50,000 new jobs by 2020.

Companies listing will meet the NSX listing rules, and trading will occur through the NSX electronic trading platform.

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Auto Review discussion paper released

A discussion paper has been released to guide submissions to the review of Australia’s automotive industry, being undertaken by the former Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks.

Mr Bracks has provided an Interim Report to the government , and is now moving into the public consultation stage of the review. The discussion paper highlights some of the challenges faced by the industry, and is accompanied by a background paper which provides additional detail about the industry and the policy environment.

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, said the findings of the review will help to inform the government’s implementation of the $500 million Green Car Innovation Fund.

The fund, announced during the election campaign last year, will support industry research on fuel efficiency and vehicle manufacture, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions, and promoting Australian manufacture of low-emission vehicles such as hybrid, flexible fuel and low-emission diesel vehicles.

The review’s discussion and background papers are available at www.innovation.gov.au/automotivereview and submissions are due by 14 May. The final report of the review will be completed by 31 July.

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SA doubles Scientist of the Year prize money

The South Australian Government has doubled the value of its award for South Australian Scientist of the Year to $50,000.

The award, granted for the first time last year, is part of the state’s Science Excellence Awards. It was won last year by Laureate Professor John Ralston, the Director of the Ian Wark Research Institute, who was also named the 2007 South Australian of the Year.

The Science Excellence Awards are now in their fourth year. Other categories, each worth $15,000 in prize money, include Excellence in Research for Public Benefit; Excellence in Research for Commercial Benefit; Constellation SA Award for Excellence in Collaborative Research; and Science Educator of the Year. Nominations close on May 9, and winners will be announced on August 22.

Further information is at www.scienceawards.sa.gov.au

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Announcements

Call for Nominations: 2008 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science Awards

We are seeking nominations for Australia’s national science and science teaching awards:
• The $300,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
• The $50,000 Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
• The $50,000 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
• The $50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
• The $50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools

Nominations are open until 5 pm AEST, Friday 9 May 2008

Details at http://www.dest.gov.au/scienceprize or contact the Science Prizes Secretariat in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on (02) 6240 5066, email: pmprize@dest.gov.au

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Conferences & Events

IP Australia and Rothworx are partnering together to present Innovate 2008

IP Australia and Rothworx are partnering together to present Innovate 2008.

As part of World IP Day, a one day conference is being held in conjunction with Showcase 2008 on Friday 18th April at Australian Technology Park, Sydney.

The conference will cover relevant, complex and sensitive issues facing all professionals working in Intellectual Property.

No matter what stage of the innovation process you are at our experts have been there and are keen to share their experiences to assist you. Case studies including ResMed, CSIRO, Johnson & Johnson, Sydnovate and many more will help you overcome all obstacles in the innovation process.

Maintain your competitive edge, be at the forefront of innovation, protect your intellectual property, maximize your return on research & development, ensure ideas turn into commercial reality and financial success.

Interactive Panel, Have your questions answered! Excellent Networking Opportunities!

Conference price includes Morning Tea, Lunch & Afternoon Tea.

For more information click here or call 02 9363 1401

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Business Services

Spruson&Ferguson: patent and trade mark attorneys

With over 120 years experience, Spruson & Ferguson is a leading intellectual property firm in Australia which provides a fully integrated service for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of your intellectual property.

Spruson & Ferguson is one of the largest intellectual property firms in Australia, with a team of over 220. Our 60 plus patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers work in specialised practice areas; Chemical/Life Sciences, Mechanical, Electrical/Information & Communications Technologies (ICT) and Trade Marks, together with Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers which provides intellectual property commercialisation, enforcement and dispute resolution services.

Spruson & Ferguson’s patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers have extensive intellectual property and industry experience in science and engineering including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, phototonics, transport, telecommunications, mining, publishing, consumer products, ceramics, chemistry and mechanical/medical technologies.

The depth of our industry experience is an attribute that many of our clients hold in high regard. Spruson & Ferguson is a recognised as a market leader with multinationals and many of Australia’s foremost research institutions entrusting to us to protect and assisting with the maximisation of returns on their intellectual property assets.

Our comprehensive range of services includes patents, trademarks, designs, domain names, IP audits, due diligence, dispute resolution and litigation and intellectual property commercialisation services including licensing, joint ventures and research and development collaborations.

For more information about our comprehensive range of intellectual property services, please contact one of the following relationship principals:

Chemical: Dr John McCann BSc (Hons) PhD FIPTA
Life Sciences: Dr Andrew Blattman BScAgr (Hons) PhD GDipIP FIPTA
Electrical: Robert Miller BE BLegS FIPTA
ICT: Scott Berggren BSEE MSEE LLB FIPTA
Mechanical: Greg Turner BE FIPTA
Trade Marks: Annette Freeman BA LLB (ANU) LLM (UTS)
IP Commercialisation: Rob McInnes BSc (Hons) LLB (Syd)
IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Simon Williams BA LLB (Syd) LLM (Lond)
Managing Principal: David Griffith BE (Hons) FIPTA

Telephone: (02) 9393 0100
Fax: (02) 9261 5486
Email mail@sprusons.com.au
Website here 

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