Partnering for change

From developing a cervical cancer vaccine and innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies, to delivering parenting strategies that effect change at the population level, the work of UniQuest has benefited millions of people around the world.

Partnership is a critical link between research and impact. By commercialising UQ’s vital research outcomes, UniQuest – the University’s main technology transfer and commercialisation company – has been helping disseminate solutions to global concerns for more than 30 years.

Joining forces with industry to provide companies with access to more than 7000 researchers, UniQuest is part of an integrated model of research management, industry engagement and commercialisation at UQ.

A commitment to efficient commercialisation ensures UniQuest’s sustainability, while its history of demonstrable accomplishment has established the company as one with a world-class track record.

UniQuest’s successes have included the commercialisation of:

A cervical cancer vaccine

With more than 100 million doses distributed worldwide, enhancing the wellbeing of more than 250,000 people per year, cervical cancer vaccine GardasilTM and its co-inventor Professor Ian Frazer AC have demonstrated the impact of UQ innovations. The technology, patented by UniQuest in 1991, licensed to CSL in 1994 – subsequently licensed to Merck and launched on the market as GardasilTM in 2006 – is now available in more than 120 countries.

Research conducted at UQ by Professor Ian Frazer AC (pictured) and the late Dr Jian Zhou on virus-like particles led to the development of the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine.

Research conducted at UQ by Professor Ian Frazer AC (pictured) and the late Dr Jian Zhou on virus-like particles led to the development of the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine.

Innovations in MRI technology

For more than two decades, UQ has been at the forefront of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) innovation – with its first being an image correction technology that has been incorporated in two-thirds of all clinical MRI systems installed worldwide after 1997. The technology was licensed to both Siemens and GE Healthcare, resulting in more than eight billion patient scans worldwide.

Successful parenting strategies

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program has been ranked by the United Nations as the number one parenting program in the world for its ability to reduce children’s behavioural problems, increase parenting skills and improve overall family wellbeing. The Program, developed by Professor Matt Sanders and delivered for more than 30 years, provides a range of parenting strategies. It is now available in 18 languages across 25 countries and an estimated seven million children have benefited from the Program.

Other accomplishments have included six service businesses, hundreds of license agreements with industry, and attracting corporate or venture capital into more than 70 start-up companies. UQ technologies licensed by UniQuest have generated more than US$10 billion in gross product sales, and start-up companies founded by UniQuest have gone on to raise more than US$515 million. In 2014, UniQuest successfully negotiated with Artesian Capital Management the establishment of a $10 million venture fund to provide early-stage capital to around 100 start-up companies as part of its management of Queensland Government’s technology incubator, ilab.

UniQuest’s offerings are organised into four channels to market: Engineering, Materials & ICT; Health; Science; and, Social Enterprise. Current examples of commercialisation from three of these channels to market include:

Engineering, Materials & ICT

An mHealth technology solution, developed by Associate Professor Udantha Abeyratne, delivers a medical diagnostic tool for respiratory diseases via a smartphone. UniQuest has licensed the technology to ResApp Diagnostics who will commercialise it further. This technology will lead to cost savings for consumers, insurers and governments through reduced consultations, shorter consultation times, the ability to use telehealth solutions, and a reduced use of antibiotics.

An mHealth technology solution, developed by Associate Professor Udantha Abeyratne, delivers a medical diagnostic tool for respiratory diseases via a smartphone.

An mHealth technology solution, developed by Associate Professor Udantha Abeyratne, delivers a medical diagnostic tool for respiratory diseases via a smartphone.

Science

UQ start-up company Nexgen Plants Pty Ltd is commercialising a platform technology, developed by Professor Peer Schenk, that enables virus-resistant plant varieties to be developed for major food, fibre, energy and ornamental crops. Nexgen Plants is collaborating with global company Syngenta Ltd to develop resistance in crops against three key viruses. This technology provides plant breeding companies with a range of virus resistance strategies.

Social Enterprise

Professor Nancy Pachana and Professor Gerard Byrne have developed a diagnostic tool to enable easier and more accurate screening of anxiety in older people. The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) has been licensed to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The GAI screening material has been translated into more than 13 languages and is available through UniQuest’s online eShop (eshop.uniquest.com.au).

To engage with UniQuest, call +61 7 3365 4037, read more about the company's commercial outcomes at uniquest.com.au or visit linkedin.com/company/uniquest