A new approach to improve technology commercialisation in university medical schools

Abstract

US university-based technology transfer has grown exponentially since the passage of the Bayh–Dole Act in 1980. As a result, invention disclosures and technology commercialisation initiatives have significantly increased, creating the need for a standardised, qualitative method of screening proposals that might have commercial potential. Successful academic bioscience technology commercialisation is difficult at best because of early stage bioscience inventions, faulty concepts, long lead times, high risk technologies, and working with physicians and medical researchers who frequently have little or no interest in the commercialisation process. We describe an easy-to-use, standardised, web-based technology assessment instrument that was used to better evaluate bioscience invention disclosures at the University of Kansas School of Medicine Technology Transfer Office. After implementing the new system and eliminating backlogged invention disclosures, staff reported that they migrated from very qualitative discussions taking many months to more quantitative, fact-based evaluations and discussions focusing on commercial value. Consequently, they reported making quicker and improved Go-No-go decisions investing further resources in only those technologies with the highest potential for commercialisation. In addition, they improved inventor satisfaction and strengthened their relationships with physicians, inventors, and researchers.