131 Million Yuan Invested, Zero Commercialized Outcomes: Why Do Research Achievements Keep Failing to Translate?
Recently, an “Audit Report on Guangxi’s Science and Education Revitalization Funds” released by the Guangxi Provincial Department of Audit has topped trending searches. The report shows that one university has cumulatively received fiscal appropriations for research funding131 million yuan, implemented 862 scientific research projects and achieved the commercialization of research findings0。
The substantial capital investment yielded only “zero conversions,” inevitably raising doubts—Where Exactly Were the Funds Allocated?
However, a simple calculation reveals the underlying issues, which are inextricably linked to factors such as research funding, the disconnect between researchers and the market, and the allocation of researchers’ time and energy.131 million yuan in research funding needs to support 862 projects, meaning each project would receive only a few hundred thousand yuan.For long-cycle, high-cost research projects in fields such as science and engineering or life sciences, let alone whether the project can enter the market within one year, such limited funding is insufficient to support the completion of its commercialization. Therefore, some netizens have stated:0 conversion, which is also understandable.
That said, butIt is an indisputable fact that, objectively, the project suffers from poor quality and fails to meet market demands.China produces a substantial volume of scientific research achievements each year, yet the majority remain “dormant patents.” This highlights the persistent barriers between the academic research community and the market, which hinder the commercial application of these findings.
In summary, inMarket, Policy, and Research LevelAmidst these multifaceted contradictions, the low rate of achievement transformation has become an unavoidable pain point for the entire scientific research community.
I. From the Perspective of Scientific Research: Three Major Issues Contributing to Low Translation Rates
As early as ten years ago, the low rate of commercialization of scientific and technological achievements in universities had already drawn public attention. The widely circulated claim that “the commercialization rate is only 15%” has been proven to be inaccurate; nevertheless, it remains an undisputed fact that the commercialization rate is indeed low.
The research process can be simply divided intoProject Initiation, Implementation, and ClosureThree Major Processes, Each of Which May Contribute to Low Conversion Rates.
1. Project Initiation Phase: Insufficient Innovation and Disconnection Between R&D Project Approval and Social Needs
First,The project may fail to meet market demands as early as the initiation phase.Researchers based in laboratories are highly susceptible to information barriers regarding market demands, which can lead to a disconnect between patents developed by universities and research institutes and the actual needs of the market, thereby failing to meet the technological requirements of enterprises.
Furthermore, the scientific research project'sOriginal Innovation CapabilityIt will also affect the outcome of commercialization. In China, patents are mainly categorized into three types: invention patents, utility model patents, and design patents. While the application criteria and scope of protection differ among these three categories, they are all broadly classified as patent achievements. Consequently, some projects that merely make “superficial” modifications to existing mature products—such as changing equipment materials or adjusting the design angle of medical devices—can still successfully obtain patent grants and be counted as scientific research outcomes.
Moreover, the cost of applying for patents in China is relatively low. A patent attorney revealed, “For just 10,000 to 20,000 yuan, a patent attorney can guide you through the entire patent application process and secure the patent.” Compared with some European and American countries, such as the United States, where obtaining a patent can cost nearly $100,000, the trial-and-error risk for patent applications in China is much lower. This may be one of the reasons why China has a large number of “dormant patents.”
Certainly,This is also related to some “legacy” policies.For a long time, society’s recognition of the importance of translating research findings into practical applications was insufficient, with the number of published papers and patents becoming key metrics for professional title evaluations. Consequently, this has led to many papers being published solely for the purpose of patent applications.
In addition, the scientific research project'sMarket Size, is also one of the key indicators determining whether successful commercialization can ultimately be achieved. A professional engaged in the commercialization of scientific research achievements once cited an example in an interview with VCBeat: they had encountered a patent for an innovative surgical procedure, yet the only physician performing this procedure nationwide, or even globally, was the inventor themselves. Scientific and technological achievements lacking such market potential are naturally unlikely to be selected by the market.
2. Implementation Phase: Failure to plan the commercialization pathway in advance, resulting in a lack of market feasibility for the project
Project initiation is a critical process for establishing the overarching direction of scientific research. If market research is not adequately conducted during the initiation phase, issues often arise during project implementation.“Researchers believe that high-quality research directions are difficult to apply and practice in the market.”the situation.
The primary reason for this situation is that researchers do not conduct their work with a translational mindset, making it difficult to identify market applications in later stages. If the ultimate goal from the outset is merely publication in academic journals, subsequent translation and development will naturally be hard to achieve.
Fortunately, a large number of researchers continue to conduct studies with commercialization in mind, designing the future translational direction of their projects during the research process.
Professor Huang Zhen of Sichuan University once stated in an interview, “From the moment selenium-containing nucleic acids were successfully synthesized, I began to consider how to translate this technology into industrial applications and bring it to market.”
When Professor Huang Zhen discovered that selenium-modified nucleic acids could enhance the accuracy of nucleobase pairing and improve the precision of nucleic acid molecular recognition, he strategically outlined the future commercialization pathway for this technology. Currently, Professor Huang’s research group has applied selenium-modified nucleic acids to HPV detection, COVID-19 testing, Brucella detection, and tumor diagnostics, developing corresponding market-ready products. These efforts have secured China’s first-mover advantage in both the fundamental research and commercial development of selenium-modified nucleic acids.
3. Project Closure Phase: Publication of Papers as the Standard for Completion
Many research institutes and universities in China forThe criteria for project completion are as follows:Publish Papers, Obtain Patents. Consequently, some research projects initiated solely to fulfill grant requirements are deemed complete the moment their papers are published. This approach allows researchers to secure funding subsidies and rapidly transition to the next research endeavor.
Overall, every stage of scientific research can contribute to low translation rates. To address this issue, it is essential to start with the researchers themselves. Only when researchers have the intention of bringing their projects to market from the very beginning and consistently align their work with market needs throughout the research process can they accelerate the practical application of their findings.
However, beyond the research projects themselves, external factors also influence the rate of commercialization. For example,Conversion FormsWhether it is accepted by the market.
Currently, the primary forms of technology transfer include equity contribution through valuation, establishing companies, and selling patents. Among these, patent sale is the most commonly adopted method by researchers. For researchers, contributing patents as equity involves a series of complex ownership issues, such as patent ownership and intellectual property rights; any oversight could even lead to allegations of infringing upon state-owned assets. Meanwhile, founding a startup not only requires researchers to acquire market knowledge but also demands that they navigate and balance the transition between their identities as "scientists" and "CEOs." Researchers often find themselves stretched thin in terms of time, energy, and financial resources. Furthermore, even in the best-case scenario, a single scientific achievement is rarely sufficient to support a sustainable business model, making failure the norm rather than the exception in entrepreneurship. Consequently, the risk coefficient for researchers starting businesses is considerably high, leading many to avoid taking such risks.
After weighing the pros and cons, selling patents has become the fastest and lowest-risk option for researchers to profit.However, once a patent is sold, researchers lose control over its trajectory and application. It is not uncommon for companies to purchase patents solely to mitigate competitive market risks, with no intention of further development or commercialization. This phenomenon has led to the shelving of many high-quality patents.
II. Striking a Balance Between “Deregulation” and “Oversight”
Although the current rate of commercialization of research achievements in China is less than ideal, it remains a core priority for the government, universities, and the market. This is evident from the frequent issuance of incentive policies by local governments to promote the commercialization of such achievements.
As of 2021, China had issued more than 500 policies related to technology transfer, covering aspects such as ownership of achievements, state-owned asset management, performance evaluation, and promotion of commercialization. In addition to conventional measures such as “reducing burdens” and “providing funding,”The state is also gradually advocating for the establishment of cooperative mechanisms between technology transfer offices at universities and colleges across the country and local authorities., provide support in areas such as technology contract recognition services, undertaking science and technology planning projects, and fostering financial cooperation. Strengthen collaboration among the research sector, the market, and the government to break down barriers between them and ensure a smooth process for technology transfer.
Under the strong advocacy of the national government, local governments across the country have actively responded and taken action. Taking Shenzhen as an example, since it became a pilot demonstration zone in 2020, “optimizing the technology transfer mechanisms of research institutions” has become a key focus of the transformation efforts undertaken by Shenzhen’s scientific research institutes.
The “Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements in Medical and Health Institutions in Shenzhen,” released in March 2023, further devolved authority to researchers by stipulating that “all proceeds from the transformation of scientific and technological achievements shall remain with the institution, be incorporated into its budget, be subject to unified management, and not be remitted to the state treasury.” This provision triggered significant repercussions within the community focused on the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements.
However, both central and local policies emphasize financial support. Nevertheless, excessive or insufficient funding allocation is detrimental to the translation of scientific and technological achievements.
Excessive allocation of funds makes it difficult to prevent multi-tiered outsourcing, ultimatelyTurning Scientific Research into a BusinessThis situation only makes the current research and translational environment increasingly difficult. With insufficient funding, researchers naturally struggle to complete translational work.
Therefore, it is particularly crucial to strike the right balance in the allocation of funds and the delegation of approval authority. Even if an “astronomical” sum is allocated from the total R&D budget, the funding distributed to each individual project may be insufficient to cover the purchase of high-end experimental equipment for some project teams. Consequently, the final outcomes are often far from satisfactory.
Zhang Xiaoyu, the first person in China to obtain the RTTP (Registered Technology Transfer Professional) certification, mentioned in an interview:“Beyond funding, the success of technology transfer depends on many other factors.”This statement is true: in translational work, researchers must not only manage the use of funding but also allocate their time and energy between professional duties and scientific research.
Taking clinicians as an example, many hospitals that prioritize translational medicine link it to physicians’ evaluations and performance metrics. While this approach undoubtedly provides a significant positive incentive, its limitations must be clearly recognized. To meet these targets, physicians are compelled to devote more energy to research tasks. However, their primary duty remains patient care; such a reversal of priorities will ultimately prove counterproductive.
Therefore, major research institutions and universities must strike a balance between “delegation” and “regulation” in policy formulation to effectively promote the translation of scientific achievements from top to bottom.
III. Emerging from the “Cambrian” Period of Achievement Commercialization
It is undeniable that the translation of scientific and technological achievements in China still has a long way to go. On the other hand, we can also see that under the incentives of policies and markets, many universities and research institutes have developed their own models.
In recent years, China has vigorously promoted the translation of scientific research into practical applications through its policies and guidelines, stimulating strong market enthusiasm for commercializing research outcomes. Waves of trends such as “entering universities to recruit professors” and “professors launching startups” have continued to surge. Driven by the dual momentum of heightened interest in scientific innovation and a boom in technology transfer, a cohort of “pioneers” in research commercialization has emerged in China.
In terms of scientific research, Tsinghua University’s strength is unquestionable. In the area of commercialization, Tsinghua University has long topped the rankings among Chinese universities in terms of the monetary value of converted research achievements.
Tsinghua University’s status as the leading Chinese university in technology transfer is inseparable from its comprehensive commercialization system.
First, at the stage of project initiation for scientific research, Tsinghua University evaluates the likelihood of successful commercialization to ensure that the pathway for translation is strategically planned from the outset. Subsequently, dedicated technology transfer specialists provide one-on-one guidance and planning for each project, addressing gaps in industrial application and technological development during the commercialization process.
Moreover, Tsinghua University boasts extensive resources within the investment community. It is often said in the venture capital (VC) sector that “Tsinghua alumni account for half of China’s investment landscape,” a statement that holds true. Alumni of Tsinghua University are frequently found in prominent investment firms, where they tend to pay particular attention to projects founded by fellow alumni. Furthermore, Tsinghua Holdings alone is affiliated with more than 50 investment institutions, providing stable financial support for the commercialization of scientific research achievements.
In addition to its superior objective conditions, the ingrained belief in “innovation and commercialization” that is part of Tsinghua people’s DNA also provides a solid foundation for Tsinghua’s technology transfer efforts. Tsinghua University holds an annual “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition” to cultivate students’ innovative and commercialization capabilities, with some outstanding startups even originating from this competition.
Tsinghua University is by no means an isolated case; other leading institutions, including Peking University, Shenzhen University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and ShanghaiTech University, are also intensifying their efforts in technology transfer to accelerate the commercialization of more high-quality projects.
Excellent translational models on the global stage continue to draw the attention of translational researchers in China.
In terms of incubation systems, the OTL model can provide full-chain services for early-stage projects, ranging from evaluation to resource provision. Regarding the establishment of resource networks, Harvard University leverages its “alumni power” to create a distinctive capital environment. In addition to conventional on-campus funds, these universities also raise public or private equity through partnerships to facilitate the commercialization of product projects. In encouraging innovation, how to ensure researchers’ benefits and incentivize their innovative work through the distribution of proceeds among researchers, their laboratories, and the university...
Since its establishment, Orange Bureau has successively compiled case studies on the commercialization of research outcomes from globally renowned universities and research institutions, including Stanford University and Harvard University, which have garnered widespread attention.
Collection of Medical Innovation Pathways from Top Universities Worldwide (Click the Link to View)
The translation of scientific and technological achievements is never an overnight success.The United States, now a titan of commercialization, also underwent nearly a century of exploration before emerging from the “Cambrian” period of scientific research and ushering in a boom in innovation translation.We do not deny the fact that there are still shortcomings in the translation of scientific research achievements, but we also cannot deny the achievements made and the good momentum that is emerging at the current stage.
The best time to plant a tree was yesterday; the second-best time is today. Currently, tens of millions of researchers, technology transfer professionals, and enterprises have embarked on exploring new paradigms for translating scientific achievements into practical applications, learning and adapting as they go. Perhaps time will provide us with the answers.