Partnerships in Technology Transfer: The NIH Experience

Luis A. Salicrup, Ph.D.Senior Advisor for International ActivitiesOffice of Technology TransferNational Institutes of HealthU.S. Department of Health & Human Services

FLC MeetingSeptember 14, 2005

NIH Mission

To uncover new knowledge that will lead to improved

public health

National Institutes of HealthBasic Biomedical Research in Support of the Public Health

Funding

Training

Basic Research

Clinical Trials

Inventions

Policies

Importance of Global Health Research

Humanitarian Objectives

Globalization of Health Problems

and their Relevance to Domestic Health

Economic Development and Political Stability

Relevance of Technology Transfer to Institutions in Developing Countries

Innovation of all types

National, regional and global needs

Reduction of the burden of disease worldwide

10/90 GAP

New Trends in Health Entities in LDCs• Increase in public-private partnerships• Developing countries (India, Brazil,

China, South Africa) strengthening investments in biotechnology research of endemic and neglected diseases

• Developing country institutions entering various types of R&D agreements for transferring technologies

Partners for Global Health

NIH OTT currently active exploring ways to enhance the process of transferring technologies to institutions in: – Asia

– Latin America

– Africa

– Eastern Europe

Collaborative work with institutions in developing countries has revealed needs and opportunities for transfer of NIH technologies related to:

• HIV/AIDS• Tuberculosis• Malaria• Dengue• Pertussis• Meningitis

• Rotavirus• Typhoid Fever• Cancer • Diabetes• Medical Devices &

Animal Models

Capacity Building at NIH-OTT

Information Access

Combined initiative by NIH-OTT and U.S. academic institutions

Database of technologies for neglected diseases

Resource tool for managers and scientists in developing countries

International Technology Transfer Internship Program

Aimed to train Scientists and Managers

Provide key exposure & practical experience

Long & Sustainable Process

Partnerships with several institutions in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe

Program Objectives

• Learn different aspects of IPM• Assessment & Commercialization of

Technologies • Exposure to practical aspects of

negotiation license agreement• Enhance understanding IPR Policy• Understand Global Challenges

– Clinical Trials– Capacity Building– Public-Private Partnerships

Training Implementation

Rotations will depend on the needs of partners

• Different OTT Divisions and/or • NIH’s ICs’ Offices of Technology

Development• U. S. Academic Institutions

Mentors (sustainable relationship)

First Phase: Staff from institutions in China, Brazil, South Africa, India, Argentina, Hungary

Additional Training

Participation in FAES/NIH TT Course

Participation in Seminars at OTT & NIH

Workshops in the field--Partners

Relevant courses & guidance at U.S. Universities

Participation in relevant professional meetings (e.g. AUTM, FLC, BIO)

Lessons Learned

Participating institutions should have – Some level of R&D capabilities– Clear objectives to address national and

regional public health needs

Need to work with public and private institutions in those countries

Comprehensive, multidisciplinary, sustainable training approach

Next Steps: Evaluation/Needs Assessment

ACCESSIBLE DRUGS,

DIAGNOSTICS,THERAPEUTICS

REDUCTION OF DISEASE BURDENS

(INFECTIOUS & CHRONIC)

POVERTY REDUCTION &

POTENTIAL ECONOMIC GROWTH

HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES

INNOVATION

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

CAPACITY BUILDING INDEVELOPING COUNTRIES

NIH CONTACTS

• NIH http://www.nih.gov• OTT http://ott.od.nih.gov• TT Training http://tttraining.od.nih.gov• Clinical Trials http://clinicaltrials.gov

E-mail: salicrul@mail.nih.gov

Health for All!