Frontier IP Plc (LON:FIPP), a specialist in commercialising university intellectual property has signed a partnership agreement with the UK government’s Department for International Trade, which paves the way for the Group to build on its growing position in Portugal.
The agreement will see the British Embassy in Lisbon provide strategic support to Frontier IP through regular meetings with the Ambassador and DIT staff, and introductions to potential industry partners and key decision makers in the Portuguese government and economy.
Frontier IP is already a leading university IP commercialisation partner in Portugal, home to a range of world leading companies, including those in the paper, cork and renewable energy sectors.
The Group has formal relationships with two of the country’s leading universities, the Universidade de Nova de Lisboa Faculty of Science and Technology (FCT Nova) and Universidade de Évora. The Group is in discussions with several other Portuguese universities and research institutes. Frontier will be announcing the first spin out shortly.
The Group staged its highly successful Capital Markets Day at the British Ambassador’s residence in Lisbon in January this year. More than 70 investors, government representatives and academics saw technology demonstrations, including medical devices and printable electronics based on cellulose technology.
The British Ambassador to Portugal Kirsty Hayes said: “We are very proud to witness Frontier IP’s growth in Portugal and the increasing number of projects they are working with and currently managing. Frontier IP plays a key role in stimulating a two-way flow of knowledge and brings a wealth of expertise into the commercialisation of IP, narrowing the gap between university research and successful commercial products. We now welcome Frontier IP as one of our Strategic Partners, which is also a recognition for DIT’s support to the company for the past two and a half years. It has been great to be part of this success, and we are committed to ensuring Frontier IP’s continued progress in the Portuguese market.”
Frontier IP Chief Executive Officer Neil Crabb said: “We’re looking forward to building on our existing strong relationships with the British Embassy in Portugal and the Department of International Trade. The support and the connections they can provide will be invaluable in helping us grow our business in the country.”
