Careers for Scientists in Technology Transfer & Business Development

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Careers for Scientists in Technology Transfer & Business Development"

Amberly Hill
7 years ago
Views:

1 Careers for Scientists in Technology Transfer & Business Development Steven M. Ferguson, CLP Special Advisor for Technology Transfer NIH Office of Technology Transfer Jeffrey W. Thomas, Ph.D. Frederick Unit Supervisor NCI Technology Transfer Center

2 What is Technology Transfer? Technology Transfer is the process of transferring discoveries and information among the academic, industry and government sectors to facilitate the development and commercialization of technologies and to further promote research.

3 What is Technology Transfer? Technology Transfer SCIENCE

4 Aspects of Technology Transfer Sharing discoveries and data for research (Cell lines, software, public databases, publications) Facilitating & documenting research collaborations (Material Transfer Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Collaboration Agreements) Patenting and licensing of technologies (Manage patent portfolios, out-license to others) Commercial development of technologies (Start ups, in-licensing of technologies)

5 For Scientists Where Does Technology Transfer Fit? Humanitarian Objectives Globalization of Health Problems and their Relevance to Domestic Health Economic Development and International Relations

6 Technology Transfer / Business Development: A Possible New Career For You? Yes, life is possible after research! How can I consider technology transfer/business development as a career? What are some of the daily activities in these jobs? How do I best make the transition? Our own career stories

7 Technology Transfer: An Interdisciplinary Field Scientific Discovery Intellectual Property or Patents Commercialization

8 Drug Development: From Lab Bench to Patient Scientific Discovery Intellectual Property TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER Technology Transfer BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ATTORNEYS Financial Capital Corporate Partnership R&D Clinical trials Regulatory Sales & Marketing Manufacturing

9 Critical Elements of New Career Development Transition from Scientific Research to Business Business Set a realistic career goal as early as possible and make progress toward the goal continuously It is a marathon but not a sprint

10 Who Participates in the Technology Transfer Process? Technology Transfer Professionals Scientists Lawyers Patent Examiners Patent Agents Licensing Specialists Entrepreneurs Business Development Economic Development Publishers

11 Technology Transfer at Universities and Federal Labs Evaluate inventions for patenting Closely work with inventors Work with law firms and management of patents Identify and negotiate with a commercial partner for license or collaboration agreements Managing relationship with corporate partners

12 Business Development at Small Biotech Companies Management of intellectual properties In-license technologies from universities and research institutes Out-license to large pharmaceutical companies Corporate management Entrepreneurship possibilities

13 Business Development at Large Pharmaceutical Companies Member of a group Specialized in one area More in-licensing than out-licensing deals More stable (historically) but at slower pace

14 Typical Education Background Mix May Include: Ph.D. or M.S. in biological sciences Registered patent agent M.B.A. J.D.

15 Required Attributes For Career Transition Skill sets Work ethic Potential for development

16 What Skills are Needed for Success in Technology Transfer? Expertise in one of the primary fields of Science, Law or Business Ability to learn the relevant aspects of the other disciplines Exceptional written and oral communication skills Teamwork Time/Project Management

17 Your Algorithm For Success C = (A +P)*V*L C: career success A: achievement P: potential V: visibility L: luck (Yes, this will be on the test!)

18 How to Conduct Your Job Search Networking Right self -image Communication skills Know your self Circulate your resume

19 How Can I Get Additional Training In Technology Transfer? Tech Transfer fellowships & internships Courses offered from Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) and Licensing Executives Society (LES) University Programs, including Activate / Innovate NIH FAES Graduate School Certificate Program in Tech Transfer

20 NCI Technology Transfer Fellowship CRTA Training Fellowship Negotiator, Marketing or Combined Tracks Same responsibilities as an FTE Technology Transfer Specialist One year appointment with additional one year options up to a total of five years Salary based on CRTA fellowship standards considering degree(s) held and relevant experience

21 NCI Technology Transfer Fellowship Requirements Advanced degree in Science, Public Health, Law or Business within the past 8 years Background in Science Exceptional oral and written communication skills Demonstrated interest in Technology Transfer Applications accepted year-round:

22 Steve s Career Story Graduate school at University of Cincinnati Intramural scientist at NCI in the late 1970s Unhappy / mismatch in lab research Transition to sales / marketing / product management in lab reagents & equipment MBA from George Washington University Jobs at university & small companies Joined technology transfer in 1990

23 Jeff s Career Story Bachelor s from Indiana in Biology and Chemistry Managed an environmental consulting lab Ph.D. from Illinois in Biochemistry Postdoc at North Carolina NCI Technology Transfer Fellowship Permanent position at NCI Technology Transfer Center

24 Business & Entrepreneurial Education Programs At NIH

25 Business & Entrepreneurial Education Courses At NIH Technology Transfer Biomedical Business Development For Scientists Tools For Technology Transfer Biotechnology Business Leadership International Strategic Partnering Marketing Strategies Business Finance & Accounting For Scientists

26 Business & Entrepreneurial Education Courses At NIH Negotiation Workshop Medical Product Development Art of Drug Design and Discovery Current Concepts in Therapeutics Demystifying Medicine For Ph.D. Students Capstone Course In Technology Transfer

27 Example of NCI post-doc who took NIH Training Programs Now working at VC/Merchant Banking Firm Source: Burrill & Co.

28 Technology Transfer: Exciting and Growing Field Challenging but fun daily activities Demand for skilled people Employment in: University tech transfer offices NIH and other government labs Not-for-profit research institutes Corporations Patent laws firms

29 Sources Of Information On Technology Transfer Training and Careers NIH Technology Transfer ott.nih.gov NIH FAES Graduate School faes.org Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) autm.net Technology Transfer Society - t2society.org Licensing Executive Society (LES) lesi.org Kaufmann Foundation kauffman.org Federal Lab Consortium federallabs.org Techno-L Listserv techno-l.org

30 Other Sources of Information Institute Technology Transfer Offices at NIH NCI ttc.nci.nih.gov NIAID, NHLBI, NIDDK Universities: Johns Hopkins, UMD, UMBC, Georgetown, George Washington, Howard, Virginia Government: NIST, Navy, NASA, Army, DOE, USPTO Economic Development : Local, County, State, TEDCO, MD Tech Council Technology Companies Fellowships, internships, details or volunteer in a Technology Transfer Office

31 Acknowledgements A very special thanks to Kai Chen, Ph.D., M.B.A.

32 Contact Information Steven M. Ferguson, CLP Special Advisor for Technology Transfer NIH Office of Technology Transfer Jeffrey W. Thomas, Ph.D. Frederick Unit Supervisor Technology Transfer Center National Cancer Institute

Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) Program Overview and Internship Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) Program Overview and Internship Requirements Pharmaceutical Sciences Applied sciences that underlie the practice of pharmacy the development, manufacture,