A fruitful new collaboration between the University of Montpellier, the University of French Polynesia and SATT AxLR

[Press release] - Published on July 3, 2024 in Press room

This Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the University of Montpellier, the University of French Polynesia (UPF) and SATT AxLR will strengthen their ties by signing a letter of agreement aimed at strengthen UPF's skills, research capabilities and project development through the presence of the University of Montpellier and SATT AxLR in a southern territory. The agreement was signed by Nabila Gaertner, vice-president of the UPF research commission, Philippe Nérin, president of the SATT and Philippe Augé, president of the UM.

A long-standing relationship between these universities

In 2020, a promising collaboration was initiated between the University of Montpellier and the University of French Polynesia under the impetus of Jacques Mercier and François Pierrot, vice-presidents of the UM, and Nabila Gaertner for the UPF. This initiative aims to strengthen the UPF's skills and research capabilities, while consolidating the UM's presence in a southern territory.

Two framework agreements have been signed to structure this cooperation, underlining the importance of UM's support for UPF. Thanks to this partnership, the UPF benefited from the support of the UM and the SATT AxLR in its application to the "Innovation Outre-Mer" call for expressions of interest, for which it was awarded the Nãhiti project (a project aimed at structuring the innovation ecosystem in Polynesia).

This partnership enables the UPF to benefit from the expertise of the UM and SATT AxLR in the detection and analysis of innovation, as well as in the communication of best practices and certain standard contracts. In addition, the UM contributed as a member of the jury for the Polynnov call for project funding, as part of the Nahiti project.

A signature with special challenges

This agreement aims to facilitate investment by SATT AxLR, via the UM, in French Polynesia, by establishing clear operational, legal and financial terms and conditions for these investments.

Expected benefits :

• For the UPF: access to funding for maturation projects, thereby increasing opportunities for technology transfer and the creation of value from innovations originating in its territory.
• For UM: strengthening of academic and scientific links with a region presenting particularly interesting research challenges for the PEI strategy (southward strategy).
• For SATT AxLR: an opportunity to develop innovations in key areas such as health, agronomy and the environment, with a particular focus on societal issues in tropical zones.

Commitments :

UPF projects may be submitted to SATT AxLR by UM, subject to co-ownership of intellectual property rights. A maturation agreement will be signed, defining the contributions of each party and the methods for valorizing the results. SATT AxLR will have an exclusive commercialization mandate, with revenues distributed in accordance with the UM-AxLR framework agreement.

This letter of agreement represents a crucial step towards perpetuating and intensifying the collaboration between UM, UPF and SATT AxLR. It provides a clear, structured framework for the support and valorization of UPF innovations, strengthening our strategic positioning and our academic and scientific partnerships.