The institution has had a turbulent but successful two semesters.

Zurich University, Switzerland’s largest university, has held its annual press conference during which it looked back on its achievements of the past academic year, which include six new spin-outs.

On top of six new spin-outs, researchers at the university have also invented 45 new products, registered 20 patents and generated 34 licenses. On average, researches also engaged, per capita, daily in two new co-operative projects with commercial entities. The institution’s technology transfer office, Unitectra, generated an income of CHF57m ($64m).

One new spin-out that Unitectra has created is Ionight, based on research by astrophysicist Andreas Riedo. Originally conceived as an instrument for chemical analysis of soil samples on moons, asteroids and planets, the miniaturised laser-ablation mass spectrometer was adapted for applications on Earth when the mission to Mercury it was developed for was cancelled. It can now be used, for example, to test if food labelled organic is actually grown on land free of pesticides.

Older spin-outs have seen recent successes, too, with Molecular Partners, spun out in 2004, entering a research collaboration with Roche. The two will work together to discover, develop, and commercialise several proprietary therapeutics incorporating Molecular Partners’s technology – which allows for rapid development of protein therapeutics – and Roche’s toxic agents for the treatment of cancer. The deal generates an upfront payment of CHF55m ($62m) for Molecular, with a potential further CHF1bn ($1.12bn) if milestones are reached.

The commercialising successes are good news for the institution which has found itself in the public eye this academic year for forcing its former president Andreas Fischer to resign in November 2013. The resignation followed a complex series of allegations against one of his professors who may have helped his students gain PhDs without a proper dissertation. The investigation is continuing, with Michael Hengartner having taken over the position of president six months before his appointment was due to begin.

Michael Hengartner said: “Zurich University is an appealing partner for the economy. Our research leads to innovation which results in new products that benefit the larger community.”