The presentation by Lisa Lorenzen outlines the role of a technology transfer organization in facilitating partnerships between researchers, inventors, and industry. The organization’s primary functions include forming research partnerships, protecting intellectual property (IP), and commercializing new technologies. These objectives are achieved through a range of services such as implementing industry research agreements, managing patent applications, and licensing technologies, all with the overarching mission of commercializing innovations for public benefit.
A significant focus of the presentation is on the organization’s flexible approaches to structuring research agreements with industry partners. Several models are described, including traditional non-exclusive royalty-free licenses, company ownership of IP with associated assignment fees, managed financial risk agreements with performance-based royalty conditions, and customized niche agreements for specific activities such as field trials or clinical research. Lorenzen also contrasts these approaches with policies at other universities, revealing variations in how basic and applied research IP is managed, assignment practices, and licensing terms. The document emphasizes the importance of aligning agreement structures with the needs of industry while upholding the institution’s mission and regulatory requirements.
