Technology Licensing Offices: Money, Money, Misunderstood, Money

The http://www.scienceboard.net/ target="_new">Science Advisory Board raised the issue with its members as to whether technology transfer is jeopardizing the research and educational missions of universities.

ARLINGTON, VA -- April 29, 2002 -- The primary role of technology licensing offices at universities is to facilitate the identification and protection of commercially significant technologies arising from academic research activities. To support this role, many of these offices have developed expertise in patents, copyright and trademarks as well as the licensing of intellectual property and commercial enterprise development with the university. The http://www.scienceboard.net/ target="_new">Science Advisory Board raised the issue with its members as to whether technology transfer is jeopardizing the research and educational missions of universities. Of the 3,995 respondents, 47% of them believe that the profit-making emphasis of technology licensing offices is endangering the traditional role of the university as a research and educational center. However, an additional 40% of the respondents do not support this point of view (the remaining 13% are not sure).

While the prevailing view amongst The Science Advisory Board is that universities engage in technology transfer in order to make money, it is not a majority opinion. Historically in the United States there are three major reasons universities actively partner with industry through technology licensing agreements. The primary one is that universities are mandated under the Bayh-Dole Act to secure, if possible, the commercialization of inventions resulting from federally funded research. Secondly, universities need to ensure that they have the necessary resources to support the research mission of their faculty and educational opportunities for their students. Lastly, universities have a societal responsibility to help sustain the local, state and even national economies.

Despite the increasing role technology licensing offices play in university life, the academic tradition of publication is still vigorously upheld. Publication in peer-reviewed journals is one of the strongest means of validating the findings of academic researchers. It is absolutely critical to tenure decisions and helps engender professional recognition and secure funding. Furthermore, given the employment outlook for many young scientists, universities would be remiss if they did not seek to provide their students with experiences that are more closely aligned with contemporary industry. Facilitating student participation in industrial-based research provides students with insight into the biotech and pharmaceutical industries and gives them the opportunity to take part in addressing real world" problems. By assisting the university research community in transferring technologies to industry for commercialization, new educational dimensions and research opportunities for students and faculty are actually being created" states Dr. Tamara Zemlo, Director of Scientific & Medical Communications at The Science Advisory Board.

ABOUT THE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

The Science Advisory Board is an online panel of more than 11,600 scientists, physicians and other life science and medical professionals from 62 countries. By convening electronically, Science Advisory Board members participate in online studies to voice their opinions on issues that directly affect the evolution and development of the tools and techniques of their professions. The Science Advisory Board is currently conducting ongoing studies in other exciting areas of the life sciences. Scientists can contribute their own views on the tools and techniques of their field by participating at http://www.scienceboard.net/" target="_new">http://www.scienceboard.net. The Science Advisory Board was organized in 1997 by BioInformatics, LLC, a http://www.gene2drug.com/" target="_new">market research and consulting firm located in Arlington, VA.

CONTACT:
Dr. Tamara Zemlo
Director, Scientific & Medical Communications
The Science Advisory Board
2111 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22201
703.525.3872 x360 phone
t.zemlo@scienceboard.net
http://www.scienceboard.net

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