Committee outlines steps to improve tech transfer

etting new discoveries out of the lab and into the marketplace where they can benefit society is a challenge many research universities face. Earlier this year, President Seligman assembled a 19-member steering committee to look at how Rochester works with its scientists and with the business community to commercialize research innovations.

That group has released a report summarizing 10 months of analysis that included a faculty survey, benchmarking data from peer institutions, and a total re-evaluation of the University’s approach to technology transfer.

The committee, cochaired by Peter Robinson, vice president and chief operating officer for the Medical Center, and Sue Stewart, University vice president and general counsel, has outlined nine recommendations designed to enhance the University’s ability to compete globally in technology commercialization.

“I view this report and its nine general recommendations as important steps in furthering our progress in these areas,” says Seligman. “The report’s detailed analysis will provide the basis for stronger customer service both to internal and external constituencies and for further significant progress with respect to preparing University inventions for maximum public benefit and impact on the economy.”

Stewart says that while the University ranks among the top schools in the nation for patent filing and royalty revenue, Rochester needs to refocus attention on customer service and efficiency to stay competitive and to attract top-notch researchers.

“Historically the United States has had the best research universities in the world, including our own, but now countries around the globe are beefing up their programs and attracting leading researchers to their campuses,” says Stewart. “In order to have our country sustain its economic prosperity, it’s essential that we support our knowledge-based communities and draw those inventive scientists to our universities. To do that we must provide the necessary support to help scientists patent and license their work so that those discoveries can benefit their relevant disciplines and the world at large, not to mention generate revenue. One of the best ways is to have a nimble and efficient technology transfer office.”

In its recommendations, the committee emphasized the need to clarify the role of the University’s two technology transfer offices and refocus attention on core services such as assisting faculty with protecting intellectual property and filing patents. Stewart says results from a faculty survey indicate a need to improve service, communication, and timely responses to faculty, particularly in review of the drastically increased volume of material transfer agreements (MTAs) and confidentiality agreements (CDAs). To address the issue, the committee recommends that review of MTAs and CDAs be moved from the Offices of Technology Transfer to the Office of Research and Project Administration, and that two new staff positions be created to handle the workflow.

“Throughout this report there is emphasis on providing faculty and external clients with user-friendly services. The survey showed that some research faculty are concerned about responsiveness and delays. We plan to continue to measure faculty satisfaction with technology commercialization in the months and years ahead to ensure quality service.”

In addition to addressing faculty and licensee service, the report outlines new guidelines for measuring outcomes and monitoring expenditures in quarterly reports that will detail license income received, patent applications filed, patent expenses incurred, and other metrics. The quarterly reports also would identify prospective activities and highlight planning priorities as well as policy issues.

To ensure coordination, consistency, and efficiency in operations between both offices, the report recommends that the University establish a policy committee to monitor technology transfer services as well as other commercialization services such as economic development, industry-sponsored research, and commercial alliances.

“The policy committee will monitor our progress on technology transfer and report updates to the community. It’s a way to emphasize the importance of technology commercialization and a way to coordinate services between the Technology Transfer Offices at the Medical Center and in the College. It’s also a way to monitor how we’re spending money and to target those projects that offer the most potential for commercialization and economic impact.”

To view the full report and Seligman’s response to the recommendations, visit www.rochester.edu/president/technology/index.html.