NCDC225: Coordination of Joint Work Products for Land Grant University Technology Managers Most Closely Associated with Agriculture and the Life Scie
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NCDC225: Coordination of Joint Work Products for Land Grant University Technology Managers Most Closely Associated with Agriculture and the Life Scie
Duration: 09/01/2010 to 09/30/2012
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Advancing and coordination of the North Central regions intellectual property is of high significance. Moving research discoveries from the universities into commercial ventures will add to this region's economic capital and job creating capacity.
The coordinating committee for advancing intellectual property (IP) collaborations in the North Central states and beyond would address the following questions:
How should the North Central region position its 12 member states for its IP future?
What is the cost of not being strategic in proactively designing its IP future?
What is missing for success now?
What would a mind map for the future look like?
What do venture capitalists need from technology managers that they cannot get now?
Can our 12 states benefit from coordination?
What would coordination look like?
What can be coordinated across our 12 states and what must each state do alone?
Where would we start?
Should we focus our efforts in a particular area first?
What would it cost to coordinate?
How do you assure successful launching of coordinated efforts?
How important is it to have a point person who owns the coordination process?
How would you launch such an effort?
The stakeholders for this coordinating committee include the 12 North Central State Experiment Stations, scientists in agriculture and the life sciences, technology managers who work most closely with agriculture and life science IP, including commercialization of IP. Venture Capitalists and private sector customers are key customers/stakeholders. Collaborations beyond the North Central region are expected and will benefit all regions of the United States.
Objectives
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Develop a strategy to advance the intellectual output of our 12 North Central states.
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Develop a strategy to market the intellectual output of our 12 North Central states.
Procedures and Activities
Next Steps in advancing potential Intellectual Capital Coordination
The technology managers from 11 of the 12 states met on July 27, 2009 along with a number of Experiment Station Directors and addressed the following questions/issues:
1. Do the tech transfer staffs at the 12 Land Grant Universities agree that a strategic approach would be beneficial?
2. What activities/collaborations exist already and what can be learned from such activities?
3. Determine interest in proceeding with collaboration of IP in the North Central Region
4. Determine most important fields to start IP collaboration based on needs identified.
Two Working Groups were established at the July 27, 2009 Meeting
The Marketing Working Group consists of:
Christopher Fender, U. of Missouri, Chair
Erin Bender, Ohio State Univ.
Denny Otsuga, South Dakota State Univ.
The Best Practices Working Group consists of:
Emily Bauer, U of Wisconsin, Chair
Emily Wee, U of Illinois
James H. Rhodes, U. of Minnesota
Thomas Herlache, Michigan State Univ.
Lesley Millar, U. of Illinois
Marketing Group Topics:
1. Market to scientists in the industry
2. At the discovery, development, and final marketing levels
3. Discover what companies want and how they want to be approached
4. Develop strategy so that companies can become aware of our assets
5. Third Party Brokers
6. Broaden the client base beyond traditional agriculture
Best Practices Group Topics:
1. Describe best success stories by major issue (Label area specifically)
2. Identify key problems and potential solutions
3. Consider use of webinars as a communication tool for this working group
4. Examples of Best Practices
5. Master Agreements
6. How are the 12 North Central Universities organized around IP
7. MTAs
8. Non-patented licensing, e.g., cell lines and vectors
9. Collaborative Development Agreements
At the April 2010, spring business meeting of NCRA, the North Central Directors approved the creation of a new NCCC for IP coordination. At this meeting the two working groups developed in July of 2009 advanced their efforts. A session was also held with a venture capitalist to seek his input on what may be gained from coordinating IP across the North Central region.
The NCCC for IP is ready to have its first official meeting to advance a work plan.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Facilitate movement of intellectual property into the private sector
- Enhance collaborations across universities, private sector and government
- Increase visibility for our region for venture capital
- Provide opportunities to brand and market our region's assets
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
Organization/Governance
The recommended Standard Governance for multistate research activities include the election of a Chair, a Chair-elect, and a Secretary. All officers are to be elected for at least two-year terms to provide continuity. Administrative guidance will be provided by Arlen Leholm, NCRA Executive Director and a NIFA Representative.