R & D and Collaboration 

Many organisations have intellectual property which they would like to develop or acquire but do not have the financial or technical resource to do so.

Working with a third party partner can often provide this missing resource; organisations often enter into research and development agreements or a similar form of collaboration agreement in order to achieve their goal.

Collaborative ventures should be properly negotiated and documented to ensure a fair and sensible outcome. We advise colleges, universities and the businesses and organisations that work with them on how to develop innovative and effective ways to work together.

We have an experienced team available to help at each stage of the venture, from preparing non-disclosure agreements to negotiating the key terms of a formal collaboration agreement. 

Here’s how we can help

The processes we can advise on and assist with include:

• Collaboration agreements for joint research projects
• Advising on structuring innovative projects
• Creating spin-out companies and joint ventures

Evaluation and testing projects for new inventions, including clinical trials arrangements


For further information please contact Alex Craig, call 0191 211 7911 or alternatively email us at advice@muckle-llp.com

Related Resources

in the Legal Information Centre

• What kinds of intellectual property can be protected?
• When does a contract come into existence?
• Who has the rights to intellectual property?
• What is the difference between an offer and an invitation to treat?