We want these new scientific insights to benefit society. This is also known as valorisation, and constitutes one of our core tasks as a university medical center.

In some cases, scientific research results in a product that we want to bring to market so that society can benefit from the invention. This often requires assistance from an existing commercial party. To manage this optimally, all knowledge institutions in the Netherlands have Knowledge Transfer Offices.

Utrecht Holdings serves as the Knowledge Transfer Office of Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht. Established in 1998, Utrecht Holdings brings innovations to market that result from scientific research conducted by employees working at Utrecht University or UMC Utrecht. Utrecht Holdings ensures that the inventions created by researchers at UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University have an impact on society. By arranging different aspects including patent applications and licenses, and helping to set up new spin-offs, the inventions are given the necessary support moving forward. The intellectual property of UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University is therefore safeguarded and any proceeds flow back to both institutions and to Utrecht Holdings itself for further investment in innovation and impact, and research and education, for example.

In the start-up phase, Utrecht Holdings often acts as (co-)shareholder of these spin-offs, which are mainly active in the fields of biotechnology, medical technology, education and ICT. In time, Utrecht Holdings ultimately aims to exit these shareholdings by selling its shares in the company. By then, the invention will either have been successfully launched on the market and/or Utrecht Holdings’ support will no longer be needed after other parties take over. Utrecht Holdings then sees to it that any money earned from these activities is used for Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht tasks including innovation and impact, and research and education.

Utrecht Holdings plays a key role in achieving the ambitions of Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, making knowledge available to society and contributing towards solving pressing social issues. Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht consciously join forces in this respect, also cooperating closely in conducting multidisciplinary research.