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Directors' Forum 2025

Join us for the exclusive annual Directors' Forum on 6-7 February 2025 in Lille, France. Organised by the Directors' Forum Special Interest Group (SIG), this year's Forum will focus on "How can AI be useful in the next KTO generation of 2030?”. Tailored for current and former Heads of Knowledge Transfer Departments and Offices, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with senior peers while gaining insights into the future of KTOs. 

Key highlights include a site visit, insights into the French valorisation ecosystem, and a day of in-depth sessions on AI tools, practical applications, and best practices. Don’t miss the chance to connect, collaborate, and discover actionable strategies for leveraging AI to drive innovation in your KTO.

  • Programme
  • Speakers
  • Venue

Programme

  • Thu 06 February 2025

    • 13:30 - 14:00    Bus Transfer

      There will be a bus available from the Hotel to the Site Visit location. Meet us at the lobby of the Hotel.

    • 14:00 - 15:30    Site Visit: Plaine Images

      For the early arrivals, SATT Nord is organising a visit to the Plaine Images, Europe's leading hub for cultural and creative industries.

    • 15:30 - 16:00    Bus Transfer to Institute Pasteur de Lille

    • 16:00 - 17:30    Site Visit: Institute Pasteur de Lille

      SATT Nord is organising a second visit to the Institute Pasteur de Lille, an international medical research center. If you happen to arrive late, you can join this second site visit directly.

    • 16:00 - 16:15    Welcome by Frédéric Batteux, Director General

    • 16:15 - 16:45    Presentation by Benoît Deprez, Introduction to Institut Pasteur de Lille

    • 16:45 - 17:30    Lab tours and a quick visit to the Institute's museum

    • 17:30 - 18:30    Insightful Introduction to the Valorisation Ecosystem in France

      In conversation with Fabrice Lefebvre, President of SATT Nord, Franck Dumeignil, VP Valorisation of University of Lille, and Benoît Deprez, Director of Drug Discovery Center, Institute Pasteur De Lille.

      Fabrice Lefebvre will provide an insightful introduction to the valorisation ecosystem in France, with a particular focus on the SATT approach. The University Innovation Center “PUI Lille”, of which SATT Nord is co-founder, will also be presented by Franck Dumeignil, VP Valorization of University of Lille.

      The SATTs (Sociétés d’Accélération du Transfert de Technologies) are specialised entities created to bridge the gap between public research and industry. They play a crucial role in transferring technology from research laboratories to businesses by funding the maturation and proof-of-concept phases of projects. With a network of 13 SATTs across France, they support the commercialisation of innovations, enhance the competitiveness of industries, and foster the creation of high-tech startups.

    • 18:30 - 18:45    Bus Transfer back to the Hotel

    • 19:00 - 22:30    Welcome Reception and Networking Dinner

  • Fri 07 February 2025

    • 08:00 - 09:00    Breakfast with ASTP

      If you're staying at the Couvent des Minimes de Lille hotel, we invite you to join us for breakfast with ASTP Board members to discuss key topics on the 2025 agenda and explore how ASTP can support you and your office. We also look forward to hearing your insights on how we can enhance our offerings to better serve the KTO community.

    • 09:00 - 09:30    Welcome Coffee and Networking

    • 09:30 - 09:45    Welcome and Introduction to the Topic

    • 09:45 - 10:45    Which AI Tools Are Available Today?

      Néstor Rodriguez, Co-Founder and Managing Director - Atrineo AG, Germany

      Atrineo AG has been equipping Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) across Europe with AI-driven tools and training that streamline daily Knowledge and Technology Transfer processes. This keynote outlines, based in this experience, the most relevant practical AI-powered solutions for TTOs, addresses gaps in current offerings, and demonstrates how AI-powered agentic workflows can automate complex tasks such as market analyses and contract reviews. The keynote will also show a live demo of a patent analysis agent producing a comprehensive market study report within minutes to exemplify how dedicated tools will shape KTT in the future. The keynote will also discuss how TTOs could implement these capabilities and provide a vision of how the field might change in the near future through the adoption of these technologies.

    • 10:45 - 11:00    Coffee Break

    • 11:00 - 11:45    Which AI tools do KTOs use today?

      In this session, KTO Directors who are actively using AI tools will share their insights and experiences. Hear how these tools are being implemented in various offices, the benefits they bring, and the challenges faced.

      Brechtje Vreenegoor, KTO Manager, Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands

      Philippe Nérin, President, SATT AXLR in Montpellier, France

      Declan Weldon
      , Head of Technology Development & Licensing, Cambridge Enterprise, UK

    • 11:45 - 12:30    Discussion Session

      Directors have a role and responsibility right now to provide a vision for the services and the level of service they want to offer and what automation is needed and right and what is not needed so we don't loose humanity all together in the AI data driven world. What should not be automated, what new offerings should be made, what hard and soft skills should they recruit for and encourage in our teams, what hard and soft skills should they develop in themselves, what new KPI's might be needed for the KTO and the team to ensure that we have the best human led rather than automated data driven KTO? Also something about security of the information used.

    • 12:30 - 13:00    ASTP Meets the French KT Community

      The French KT Community are invited to attend this session where we will be introducing ASTP and explore how ASTP membership can support their needs.

    • 13:00 - 14:00    Networking Lunch

    • 14:00 - 15:30    Best Practices in Using AI tools

      The floor is open for discussion, aiming to identify common obstacles, explore innovative solutions, and highlight best practices in implementing AI tools in KTOs.

    • 15:30 - 16:00    Coffee Break

    • 16:00 - 17:30    Workshop: Generating a Final Report Using AI Tools

      Wrap up the day with a practical session to create a report using different AI tools, capturing insights from the day’s discussions.

    • 17:30 - 18:00    Closing Reception

Speakers

Venue

Venue - Hotel Couvent des Minimes

17 Quai du Wault, Lille 59800, France

The room rate for:
- the night of 5th and 6th February is €179 per night inclusive of breakfast.
- the night of 7th February is €149 per night inclusive of breakfast.

Reservation can be made via  hotel website  and enter the promo code ASTP2025.

Other hotels in the neighbourhood
- Novotel Lille Centre Grand-Place, 116 rue de l'Hopital Militaire, 59000 Lille (400m from Couvent des Minimes).
- Aparthotel Adagio Lille Centre Grand Place, 68 Rue De L Hopital Militaire, 59800 Lille (500 (400m from Couvent des Minimes).
 

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