Our Services
"We've worked with FAL since the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) program was established in the early 90's. They've guided us with set-up structure, as well as day to day legal advice. There have been three incarnations of our CRC, all slightly differently as the program has evolved, with the last the most complex.
It's four years since the last restructure and thanks to FAL's great advice we have flexibility for the future, depending on how successful we are."
Robert Cowan, CEO,
Hearing CRC
STARTING RESEARCH
There are many models under which research is conducted and since the early 90s, we have had experience in establishing and supporting a vast array of research collaborations.
We understand the complexity involved; whether it’s a CRC, a commercial entity or a government body, we can help you determine the optimal entity structure. We are specialists in managing complex, multi-party agreements and ensuring that everyone's needs are considered.
We can advise on all aspects of starting up, from funding and tax status, to licensing, employment and property agreements, corporate governance and due diligence. And of course, we can ensure provisions are in place to manage intellectual property brought into, or developed by, the venture. We're also well-placed to ensure that the right agreements are in place from the very beginning to guide future commercialisation.
Some examples of our experience include:
- Advised more than 60 CRCs and their participants on the full range of issues a CRC will encounter over its lifetime, including drafting constituent documents to set up the CRC's structure and governance
- Advising an intellectual property investment consortia on the optimal structure for their venture
- Establishing companies, using venture capital funds - one to develop and commercialise hearing aids and devices and another to develop, manufacture and sell organic compounds to the pharmaceutical industry
- Advising a major property developer regarding the establishment of an on-line business focusing on the distribution of architectural plans
- Advising on structuring a collaborative venture for the design and construction of innovative energy technology generators
- The creation and operation of an international consortium to design, manufacture and launch a terrestrial orbiting satellite
- The transfer of intellectual property in therapeutic technology from a number of research organisations and consortia to a start-up entity. The entity was later acquired by a major international publicly-listed company
- Tax and restructuring advice for a number of current and proposed CRCs ranging from implications upon inception to commercialisation and beyond
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Drafting various agreements required in establishing research entities, including:
- Confidential Information & Confidentiality Agreements (CDAs)
- Funding, Licence & Commercialisation Agreements
- Material Transfer Agreements
- Research Agreements
- Multi-party contracts for the establishment of research facilities and collaborations
- Shareholder, JV (incorporated and unincorporated) and Trust agreements
- Employment Agreement
For more information, contact either Peter Francis or Jenni Lightowlers.
