RTTP certification awarded to nanoGUNE’s Head of Technology Transfer
Ainara García-Gallastegui, Head of Technology Transfer at CIC nanoGUNE, has obtained the international RTTP (Registered Technology Transfer Professional) standard, which accredits the expertise and experience of professionals working in the field of knowledge and technology transfer, whether in academia or industry.
Currently, only 50 people across Spain hold this accreditation, whilst the global figure stands at around 500, which highlights the exclusive and highly specialised nature of this achievement. “This accreditation is a significant recognition, not only personally, but also in terms of nanoGUNE’s track record in the field of technology transfer: internationally renowned industrial contracts, efficient management of the industrial property portfolio, and the setting-up of spin-offs addressing vital social and healthcare needs are all the result of a well-aligned strategy that is now bearing fruit,” said Ainara García-Gallastegui.
Ainara García-Gallastegui joined nanoGUNE in 2018 with six years’ previous experience in technology transfer while leading translational research projects at Imperial College London and UCL (University College London). In 2019, she led the implementation of the Basque centre’s technology transfer plan, with outstanding results. “By the end of 2022, we had doubled our customer portfolio, 11 new licence agreements had been signed, and our licence revenue had increased tenfold,” explained García-Gallastegui. The certification process also took into consideration other significant milestones regarding the securing of funding by nanoGUNE’s spin-off enterprises, the sale of 80% of the shares in one of them, and the setting-up in 2024 and 2025 of two new spin-off enterprises, whose products are currently undergoing clinical validation, providing solutions in such critical areas as cancer and high-risk births.
The RTTP international standard
RTTP is promoted by the ATTP – the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals, an international alliance of technology transfer associations, including RedTransfer, AUTM and ASTP. The ATTP’s aims are: to develop and maintain professional standards in technology transfer; to support training programmes organised by various national associations; and to recognise technology transfer professionals through the RTTP certification designation.