The DDA (the UK Defence Diversification Agency) and PA Consulting Group, the leading international management, systems and technology consultancy, today announced a collaboration agreement to accelerate transfer of technology originated by the UK Ministry of Defence into development of commercial products and processes.
The DDA has already shown how intellectual property (including patents) arising from science and technology originally developed for defence applications, can be the key enabler for highly successful, commercial products and processes, including flat panel loudspeakers and mobile phone antennas to GPS systems and coatings technology.
The DDA/PA Consulting agreement will enhance the DDA's ability to broker technology transfer deals with companies in a wide range of industries including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, electronics and communications, both across the East of England and more widely through PA's networks.
The collaboration involves the secondment of Dr Tony Cronshaw, Senior Consultant at PA's Cambridge Technology Centre, to the DDA, joining its 20-strong UK network of regional Technology Diversification Managers (TDMs), providing a portal for companies wishing to take up transferred technology.
Professor Damien McDonnell, Director General of the DDA, welcomed the agreement as a 'breakthrough' commenting:
"This collaboration will increase the number of licensed applications by drawing on complementary skills and resources, including DDA's technology brokerage skills, it's Synnova ® tools for technology transfer and intellectual property management, and the resources for new product and process development through PA Consulting's Technology Centres."
Tony Cronshaw, commented:
"This is an exciting opportunity because there are wins for all parties - the companies taking up transferred technology, the DDA, Defence Science and Technology, and for PA".
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