The special collaborative research program between PxDT and University of Tsukuba has introduced an epoch-making mechanism to accelerate social implementation of technologies originating from academia. Intellectual property aspects, such as patent applications and expertise confidentiality, are important in establishing business around a technology. However, in collaborative researches between companies and universities, a considerable amount of time tends to be spent in complicated procedures such as negotiations and contracts accompanying patent application. To avoid such time consumption, PxDT has established a unique structure with University of Tsukuba.

PxDT establishes Digital Nature Laboratory (DNG) at University of Tsukuba and conducts special joint research projects

<Phase 1 (Dec 2017 – Nov 2022): Stock Option-Based IP Transfer Model>

Based on the research outcomes obtained through this special joint research project, a contract was signed under which PxDT comprehensively transferred intellectual property rights from the University of Tsukuba at the moment of their creation. As compensation, PxDT issued stock options to the University of Tsukuba. This was an unprecedented industry-academia collaboration scheme in which intellectual property rights generated at the university were comprehensively transferred to a company using stock options as leverage. This scheme eliminated all the procedures associated with patent applications and enabled continuous and rapid implementation of technological seeds into society.

<Phase 2 (From Dec 2022): Industry-Academia Collaboration Consortium Model>

After five years of Phase 1, Phase 2 seeks to explore a more sustainable approach to industry-academia collaboration. Under the goal of establishing an ecosystem that enables continuous creation of seeds and societal implementation, an industry-academia collaboration consortium is being launched. Companies participating in this consortium will have access to the research outcomes obtained from the special joint research project between PxDT and the University of Tsukuba, and will be able to consider their societal implementation. Through co-creation with participating companies, we aim to maximize the value of the research outcomes and achieve rapid societal implementation.