Supply PushProgram Model

RERC on Technology TransferJames A. Leahy

RERC onTechnology Transfer

• Mission statement

• Center overview/background

• Definition of supply push model of technology transfer

• Confidentiality issues

Seeking Technologies

• Invention competitions

• USPTO patent database

• Conferences

• Open solicitations– Federal labs

– Other RERC’S

– Aztech’s innovation program

Prescreening of Technologies

• Identify competing products

• Interviews of consumers & experts

• Preliminary patent search through USPTO & IBM websites

Technology Acceptance

• Negotiating & executing an agent agreement

– What is an agent agreement

• Securing working prototype and additional documentation from inventor

Product Team

• Consumer focus groups

• Marketing study

• Technical evaluation

• Identify prospective licensing partners

Commercialization Package

• Cover letter

– Delineate purpose of correspondence & package

– Informs reader of intent to license

– Informs reader of planned future follow-up

Commercialization Package• Videotape, pictures, or CAD drawings

• Visit to potential licensees

• Executive summary

• Overview

– Background

– Current situation

CommercializationPackage

• Technical evaluation

– Discussion of specific device features

– Human & environmental factors

Commercialization Package

• Marketing evaluation

– Target market

– Market projections

– Market growth

– Competing products & manufacturers

Commercialization Package

• Marketing evaluation

– Opportunity for device

– Marketing strategy

– Sales projection

Commercialization Package

• Consumer focus groups

– Current consumer status and satisfaction level

– Evaluation of the device

– Description of the ideal product

Licensing

• License negotiations

• Royalties

• Monitoring sales

Acknowledgement

This is a presentation of the T2RERC which is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of

Education, under grant number H133E980024. The opinions contained in this presentation are

those of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Education.