Working With the Office of Technology Transfer

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The Office of Technology Transfer evaluates and commercializes promising technologies developed within CHOP by the faculty, staff, and researchers. The team at OTT safeguards ideas, secures appropriate intellectual property protection, and makes connections with people and companies who would be interested in further developing the ideas and products to bring them to the market for the welfare of society. Visit OTT’s Resources section for a patent timeline, frequently asked questions, and more.

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Technology Transfer Process Overview

Disclose

Disclose

Research, observations, and experiments may lead to new discoveries or inventions. Such inventions should be submitted to the via Sophia prior to any public disclosure (such as a publication, meeting absOffice of Technology Transfer tract, or presentation). Invention disclosures are confidential and should fully document the invention, supporting data, contributors, and funding sources so that the intellectual property protection and commercialization potential can be evaluated.

Assess

Assess

Upon receipt of a complete disclosure, a licensing associate will review the invention and conduct an intellectual property (IP) and market assessment. Such assessment considers future technology development, the strength of the IP, market opportunity, and competitive landscape, and it guides the timing of IP protection and commercialization strategy.

Protect

Protect

Based upon the assessment, the Office of Technology Transfer will determine if a patent application should be filed on an invention. Patent applications cost thousands of dollars to file, prosecute, and maintain, and can survive for 20 years, which is why it is important to assess the potential return on such investment before filing. In some cases, certain IP, such as software, can be protected through other means such as copyright.

License

License

Inventions are typically commercialized through out-licensing to an existing company or through the creation of a startup company. Licensing Associates, utilizing their networks and contacts, market CHOP inventions and identify potential partners to develop and commercialize such inventions. Licensing Associates facilitate discussions between interested parties and CHOP inventors, protected by confidentiality agreements.

A license agreement will grant the rights to develop and commercialize the invention and specify terms, conditions, and royalties due to CHOP for the grant of those rights. The license negotiation process can take several months. Once the license agreement is finalized, it provides the basis for bringing the invention to market for public benefit.

Monitor

Monitor

After the license agreement, the Office of Technology Transfer follows up to ensure that the company is meeting its obligations under the license agreement, such as development milestones, reports, and payments. All income from the license agreement is distributed per CHOP’s Patent Policy to the inventors, their laboratories, departments, and the Research Institute to fund research and education.