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United States Department of

AgricultureRichard J. Brenner, Ph.D.Richard J. Brenner, Ph.D.Assistant Administrator of ARSAssistant Administrator of ARSOffice of Technology TransferOffice of Technology Transfer

Partnering with Federal LaboratoriesPartnering with Federal Laboratories

October 24, 2007St. Michaels, MD

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USDAUSDA

“The People’s Department…”

17 Agencies, 12 Offices

Conducts intramural research principally in 3 Agencies

“…provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.“

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“… is the federal institution devoted to resolving problems caused by the interaction of wild animals and society. The Center applies scientific expertise to the development of practical methods to resolve these problems and to maintain the quality of the environments shared with wildlife. “

Partnering with USDA…Partnering with USDA…

Over 160 scientists, technicians, and support personnel at its Fort Collins, CO, headquarters and at field stations in several other states.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/nwrc/research/index.html

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“The Forest Service (FS) administers programs for applying sound conservation and utilization practices to natural resources of the national forests and national grasslands, for promoting these practices on all forest lands through cooperation with states and private landowners, and for carrying out extensive forest and range research.“

Over 500 scientists at 6 Research Stations and the Forest Products Laboratory.

Partnering with USDA…Partnering with USDA…

http://www.fs.fed.us/research/

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“ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to:

• ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products • assess the nutritional needs of Americans • sustain a competitive agricultural economy • enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and • provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and

society as a whole.”Over 2100 scientists at 100 locations, many co-

located with Land Grant universities. 1100 projects in 22 National Programs

Partnering with USDA…Partnering with USDA…

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/Research.htm

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How Does Industry Partner with How Does Industry Partner with USDA for Commercialization / R&D?USDA for Commercialization / R&D?

Licensing current protected technologies (including plants) to private sector firms for commercial production.

Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) establish research partnerships to solve industry problems.

Through the Office of Technology Transfer…

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Business/Business.htm

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Office of Technology Transfer Office of Technology Transfer (ARS)(ARS)

Manages intellectual property issues for the Manages intellectual property issues for the Secretary of AgricultureSecretary of AgricultureHas sole authority for licensing inventions Has sole authority for licensing inventions

arising from arising from intramuralintramural research in any of the research in any of the USDA agencies (including Forest Service, USDA agencies (including Forest Service, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Animal Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS))Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS))

Has authority to develop and sign CRADAs for Has authority to develop and sign CRADAs for ARS, develop CRADAs for APHIS Wildlife ARS, develop CRADAs for APHIS Wildlife Services, and review CRADAs for FS and Services, and review CRADAs for FS and othersothers

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Office of Technology TransferOffice of Technology Transfer

Patenting

• 8 registered patent agents

• Located in Beltsville, MD; Peoria, IL; Albany, CA

Licensing

• 4 senior licensing specialists

• HQ based

Tech Transfer Coordinators

• 7 specialists with life science / ag background

• Distributed across geographic Areas of ARS

Marketing

• Targeted marketing

• Web subscribe Tech Alerts

• Partnering opportunities

Centralized in policy and approvals, licensing, marketing; decentralized in negotiation and implementation of CRADAs

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Technology Transfer Coordinators

Technology Transfer Coordinators

David Nicholson – PWA510-559-5641David.Nicholson@ars.usda.gov

Rob Griesbach -BA301-504-6421Rob.Griesbach@ars.usda.gov

Don Nordlund – SAA/ MSA706-546-3496Don.Nordlund@.ars.usda.gov

Renee Wagner – MWA309-681-6565Renee.Wagner@ars.usda.gov

Thomas ValcoCotton Tech Tran & Education Coordinator662-686-5255CTTEC@ars.usda.gov

Bryan Kaphammer – NPA / SPA970-229-5528Bryan.Kaphammer@.ars.usda.gov

Vacant –NAA215-233-6610

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ARS Decision-Making ARS Decision-Making PrinciplesPrinciples ARS conducts research to develop and ARS conducts research to develop and

transfertransfer solutions to agricultural problems solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority.of high national priority. Licensing Licensing policies are mission driven.policies are mission driven.

Research programs are designed with Research programs are designed with stakeholder input, and outcomes are stakeholder input, and outcomes are measured by positive impacts.measured by positive impacts. ARS ARS has a “market pull” orientation.has a “market pull” orientation.

A variety of tools are available for A variety of tools are available for partnering and technology transfer.partnering and technology transfer. Select the right tool for the job.Select the right tool for the job.

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Types of Tools Used in Types of Tools Used in Technology TransferTechnology Transfer

Confidentiality Agreement Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) Cooperative Research and Development

Agreement (CRADA) Patent, PVPC License Agreement Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Non Funded Cooperative Agreement Partnership Intermediary Agreement

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USDA Licensing PracticesUSDA Licensing Practices

No licenses are required for research-No licenses are required for research-only use of USDA inventions.only use of USDA inventions.

Most commercial licenses are Most commercial licenses are exclusive or partially exclusive.exclusive or partially exclusive.

Exclusive commercial licenses for plant Exclusive commercial licenses for plant varieties reserve the right to make the varieties reserve the right to make the licensed varieties available to others licensed varieties available to others for research and breeding.for research and breeding.

Support licensees against infringementSupport licensees against infringement

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Annual Report to Congress on Annual Report to Congress on Technology Transfer --- FY Technology Transfer --- FY

2006 Metrics2006 MetricsLicenses: Licenses: Active: 332 (130 with universities)Active: 332 (130 with universities)New: 25New: 25Biological Materials: 16 (5 new)Biological Materials: 16 (5 new)

Licenses with products on market: Licenses with products on market: 100+ (28 from university co-owned)100+ (28 from university co-owned)30 are plant materials (plant patent or 30 are plant materials (plant patent or

Plant Variety Protection Certificate)Plant Variety Protection Certificate)

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Annual Report to Congress on Annual Report to Congress on Technology Transfer --- FY Technology Transfer --- FY

2006 Metrics2006 MetricsCRADAs: CRADAs: Active: 211Active: 211New: 54New: 54Amended: 73Amended: 73

Material Transfer Agreements: 700 Material Transfer Agreements: 700 (500 outgoing)(500 outgoing)

Invention Disclosures: 105Invention Disclosures: 105Patent Applications Filed: 83Patent Applications Filed: 83Patents Issued: 39Patents Issued: 39

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New Initiatives for Partnerships

ARS signed its first Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) to promote biocomposting / bioenergy research & businesses in Maryland (TEDCO)

USDA has requested Enhanced Use Lease authority from Congress (pending Farm Bill) Facilitates longer-term partnerships with private sector Allows private sector to renovate / build infrastructure on

federal property in exchange for long-term lease of space. Encourages joint investment / risk sharing for more difficult

research goals (e.g., biofuels, nutrition / disease prevention) USDA would use PIA partner to facilitate & manage

relationships

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Pilot plants and other ARS Infrastructure:

Enhanced Use Lease to facilitate Public / Private Partnerships

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The future ….biobased products & biofuels

Switchgrass& biofuels

Component separation

New foods & biobased products

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Richard J. Brenner, Ph.D.Assistant Administrator

Office of Technology Transfer5601 Sunnyside AveBeltsville, MD 20705

(301) 504-6905

Photo: Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MD (Joann Perkins)

Partnering with Federal Laboratories: USDAPartnering with Federal Laboratories: USDA

October 24, 2007 St. Michaels, MD

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Business/Business.htm