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Dear Colleague, I am pleased to provide an introduction to this publication which outlines the activities of UMIP (The University of Manchester Intellectual Property) and provides a practical guide demonstrating how you, the University and the wider society can benefit from the commercialisation and application of knowledge, expertise and intellectual property created and developed in the University. At heart, all of the University's activities are concerned with the business of knowledge transfer. Through our teaching and research, we play a key role in advancing education, discovery and innovation, but also more broadly in enriching our culture and enhancing the quality of public life in our society. The protection and commercialisation of our expertise and intellectual property is simply another aspect of that broad knowledge transfer process. If handled professionally, it can also provide a valuable revenue stream for the University and a lucrative source of additional financial reward for individual members of academic and research staff and students. It is for these reasons that exemplary knowledge and technology transfer is identified as a key strategy in our Strategic Plan. In pursuing that strategy, the University has formulated one of the country's most generous and forward-thinking policies on Intellectual Property and commercialisation. It has also set itself ambitious targets to increase invention disclosures by staff, the proportion of our research income derived from industry sources and the value of licences granted to third parties to develop IP created in the University. The aim of all of these policies is to motivate you and make this University the preferred destination for innovators and creators of intellectual property and the preferred partner for major national and international companies. UMIP is wholly owned by the University, acts for the University and has responsibility for taking forward these policies and managing the commercialisation of University Intellectual Property. It operates through a network of its staff based in the Faculties. This Guide explains in detail how UMIP operates and how you and the University can benefit from its services in this important area of activity. I hope this booklet will encourage you to explore further the opportunities for commercialisation arising from your research activities. Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell FRS President and Vice-Chancellor

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