Technology Transfer
An overview of the technology transfer process at the University of Rochester
The technology transfer process at UR Ventures is designed to help you take your research from the lab and bring it to the market. We guide you through each step, from protecting your intellectual property to developing a commercialization strategy and connecting with industry partners.
On this page, you’ll find a clear overview of the key steps involved in moving your innovation forward. For more detailed information, you can also download our technology commercialization guide.
Topics on this page:
Step one: Research
At the University of Rochester, research is the starting point for innovation. It’s where new ideas and discoveries begin, often leading to impactful breakthroughs.
As you explore these possibilities, it’s important to reference the University’s IP policy. When significant university resources—like specialized labs, equipment, or funding—are involved, the University retains rights to any resulting innovations. UR Ventures is here to guide innovators through the commercialization process, ensuring these policies are followed while helping bring new ideas to life.
Step two: Invention Disclosure
The next step involves notifying UR Ventures about your invention or discovery by submitting a disclosure. This action initiates the evaluation process for commercialization and protection opportunities. The disclosure captures essential details about your invention, including its concept, functionality, potential applications, and the circumstances of its creation. This process allows us to evaluate the invention’s potential for commercialization and protection.
We encourage you to complete an Invention Disclosure as soon as you believe you’ve discovered something unique with potential commercial value. It’s crucial to submit your disclosure well before sharing your discovery publicly—whether through publications, poster sessions, conferences, press releases, or other means. Public disclosure may compromise the ability to secure patent protection, making early engagement with UR Ventures a vital step in protecting your innovation.
Step three: Assessment
Once your disclosure is submitted, a UR Ventures technology licensing specialist will reach out to assess the novelty, protectability, and market potential of your invention. This evaluation will include its relationship to existing intellectual property, market size and growth potential, and the resources needed for further development. Additionally, the assessment will consider pre-existing rights, potential competition, and whether the invention could serve as the basis for a new business startup. Based on this review, UR Ventures will determine whether to pursue intellectual property protection or recommend continued development for protection at a later stage.
Step four: Protection
If the invention is deemed suitable, UR Ventures will pursue IP protection, usually by filing a patent application. UR Ventures will engage outside counsel to draft a patent application based on detailed documentation of the invention provided by the researchers. Researchers also provide feedback on patent drafts.
There are three main types of patents:
- Utility Patents: Cover new and useful processes, machines, manufactures, or compositions of matter. This is the most common type of patent and applies to a wide range of innovations, from technological devices to pharmaceuticals.
- Design Patents: Protect new, original, and ornamental designs for manufactured products. These patents focus on the appearance rather than the functionality of an item.
- Plant Patents: Granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.
There are also two types of patent applications:
- A provisional patent application is a temporary application that establishes an early filing date and allows the inventor to use the term “patent pending” for 12 months, without starting the official examination process. It does not mature into an issued patent unless the inventor files a corresponding non-provisional application within the 12-month period.
- A non-provisional patent application, is the formal application required for obtaining a patent.
While patents are important, they are not the only form of legal protection. Other protections include:
- Copyrights: Protect original works of authorship such as literature, music, art, and software.
- Trademarks: Protect brand names, logos, and slogans that distinguish goods and services.
- Trade Secrets: Confidential business information that provides a competitive edge, such as formulas, practices, designs, and processes.
Step five: Marketing
UR Ventures technology licensing specialists lead the effort to identify and engage potential licensees, utilizing their industry expertise and connections. A potential licensee may include established companies seeking to integrate new technologies into their products or services, or new spin-out companies formed to commercialize innovative discoveries. Inventors are encouraged to remain actively involved, sharing their unique insights and networks to support these efforts. This collaborative approach between technology licensing specialists and inventors is key to successfully marketing and commercializing new technologies.
Step six: Commercialization
Once a licensee is identified and a license agreement has been executed, the licensee works to develop the invention into a marketable product or service, refining the technology to reduce risks, demonstrate reliability, and meet market demands. This phase often involves additional testing, prototyping for manufacturability, and performance improvements. Documentation for training, installation, and marketing is also created. Benchmarking tests may be conducted to highlight the product’s advantages and position it effectively in the market. At UR Ventures, our goal is to ensure that innovations reach the market, benefiting customers and addressing important needs or challenges, with the ultimate aim of improving lives.