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Technology transfer and commercialisation - Online course


Learn to formulate an action plan to transform inventions into innovations and get an overview of the technology transfer and patent commercialization process.

Cost: €250
  • Delivery:

    Self-paced, online course through the internet
    Participants learn at their own schedule

  • Dates:
    Start at any time
  • Length:

    6 weeks

  • Effort:

    3-5 hours/week

  • Level:

    Beginner - intermediate

  • Language:

    English

Online, self-paced

Online course through the internet: start at anytime and learn at your own pace.

Practice-doing

Applied learning based on a real project supported by case-studies and readings.

Participant-driven

A peer-driven community of practice to learn through debate and interaction.

Course overview


Why this online course

Practitioners that are involved in technology transfer and intellectual property (IP) commercialization operations need to know the process steps and critical factors that lead to transform early technology opportunities in the form of laboratory inventions into successful innovations available in the market.

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to formulate an action plan to transfer a technology (IP) from lab to market.
  • Get a comprehensive overview of the technology transfer process.
  • Know the fundamentals of technology identification, assessment, protection and maturation, as well as partner engagement, negotiation, contracting and monitoring.

Competences to acquire

  • Critical thinking. Ability to analyze situations and evaluate data, in the context of technology transfer and commercialization.
  • Decision-making. Capacity to establish an appropriate line of action in problem-solving, particularly in applying the technology transfer process to a given situation.
  • Initiative. Vision of opportunities and action-oriented regarding a technology transfer strategy.
  • Planning. Ability to effectively carry out an appropriate action plan in the use of technology transfer concepts.
  • Teamwork. Willingness to participate as an integrated member in a working group on technology transfer and commercialization.

Target audience

Professionals, executives and practitioners from worldwide universities, research centers and laboratories, research hospitals, consultancy firms, start-ups, companies, government agencies, business incubators, science parks, etc.

Requirements

No formal prerequisites in terms of qualifications, background, previous experience nor geographical location are required to enroll in this online course.

Course outline


Lesson 1. Introduction to technology transfer

  • Concept of technology transfer
  • Characterizing features of technology transfer
  • Technology transfer mechanisms
  • Motivations for technology transfer
  • Benefits of technology transfer
  • Law framework for technology transfer
  • Technology transfer offices

Lesson 2. The technology transfer process

  • Overview of the technology transfer process
  • First stage: create value to innovate
  • Second stage: develop the partnership

Lesson 3. Technology identification

  • The technology identification phase
  • Results of R&D activity
  • Invention disclosure
  • Interviewing researchers

Lesson 4. Technology assessment

  • The technology assessment phase
  • Factors to make the right decisions
  • Value proposition of the technology
  • Market analysis
  • Time of market entry
  • Protection strength
  • Capacity of the research team
  • Pathways to transfer technology
  • Partners in technology transfer
  • Technology transfer strategic plan
  • Market validation

Lesson 5. Technology protection

  • The technology protection phase
  • Overview of intellectual property rights
  • Getting the technology protected by patenting
  • Checking patentability
  • Filing the patent
  • The patenting process in a nutshell

Lesson 6. Technology readiness

  • The technology readiness phase
  • Bridging the gap towards the market
  • Development and proof of concept
  • Required partners

Lesson 7. Partner engagement

  • The engagement phase
  • The process for locating technology partners
  • The engagement process with technology partners

Lesson 8. Deal-making and negotiation

  • The deal-making and negotiation phase
  • Overview of the negotiation process
  • Preparing the negotiation process

Lesson 9. Contracting

  • The contracting phase
  • Overview of technology transfer contracts
  • License agreement
  • Structure of a patent license agreement
  • Spin-offs (startup creation)

Lesson 10. Process monitoring

  • The monitoring phase
  • Technology transfer implementation
  • The technology package to transfer
  • Monitoring actions
  • Disputes in technology transfer

Course practice


Applied learning project

  • Commercialization of a new photobioreactor technology for microalgae cultivation

Case-studies

  • Identification of technology: research project on bone treatment
  • Assessment of technology: research project on bone treatment
  • Identification of technology: research project on bone treatment
  • Protection of technology: research project on bone treatment
  • Maturation of technology: research project on bone treatment
  • Deal making and negotiation: research project on bone treatment

Analytical tools

  • The Technology Transfer Canvas
  • Invention disclosure forms
  • Conversation with researchers to identify inventions / script of interview
  • Information available to identify inventions
  • Technology assessment dashboard
  • Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)
  • Preparation of technology brochure
  • Preparation of negotiation on technology transfer
  • Templates and models for technology transfer agreements

Readings

  • Carbon Nanotechnology Lowers Cost of Hydrogen Fuel Cell
  • Dynapower and Raychem Announce Technology Transfer Agreement
  • Patent Licensing: up to $1.18 Trillion contributed to U.S. Economy Since 1996
  • The technology transfer process in some universities
  • Navigating technology transfer issues
  • Improving invention disclosure quality
  • INNOVA Program, financing proof-of-concept projects
  • Reinventing tech transfer
  • Rive Technology, a spinoff to catalyst the industry

Weekly routine


Week 1. The process of technology transfer

GOAL
Weekly learning goal
Learn the introductory concepts of technology transfer and the key elements of the technology transfer process
LESSON
Introduction to technology transfer
  • Concept of technology transfer
  • Characterizing features of technology transfer
  • Technology transfer mechanisms
  • Motivations for technology transfer
  • Benefits of technology transfer
  • Legal framework for technology transfer
  • Technology transfer offices
READING
Carbon Nanotechnology Lowers Cost of Hydrogen Fuel Cell
A real example of technology transfer from academia to industry
READING
Patent Licensing: up to $1.18 Trillion contributed to U.S. Economy Since 1996

Academic technology transfer in the form of patent licensing benefits the economy in terms of gross industry output, gross domestic product (GDP), new companies, new products, and jobs.

LESSON
The technology transfer process
  • Overview of the technology transfer process
  • First stage: create value to innovate
  • Second stage: develop the partnership
READING
The Technology Transfer Process in Some Universities

Some real examples of technology transfer process in some renowned universities worldwide

TOOL
The Technology Transfer Canvas

Visualize the process of analyzing the transfer of a technology from laboratory to market in a certain organization

FORUM
Interaction and discussion with course peers

Share your viewpoint about your weekly learning on the online discussion forum

Week 2. Identification and assessment of technology

GOAL
Weekly learning goal

Identify potential innovations resulting from the R&D activity and assess them from the market perspective

LESSON
Technology identification
  • The technology identification phase
  • Results of R&D activity
  • Invention disclosure
  • Interviewing researchers
READING
Improving Invention Disclosure Quality

Practice-based recommendations to have better technology disclosing at universities

CASE
Identification of Technology: IBV Research Project on Bone Treatment

IBV is a technology center that carried out an applied research project to develop an advanced copolymer material for the treatment of bone defects in human beings. IBV tries to identify the possible results obtained from the project to find technology transfer opportunities.

TOOL
Invention Disclosure Forms

Some examples of invention disclosure forms used by renowned universities

TOOL
Conversation with Researchers to Identify Inventions

List of topics to guide a conversation with a researcher (or research group) and identify technology transfer opportunities

TOOL
Information Available to Identify Inventions

Template with possible resources available for collecting information to identify technology transfer opportunities

LESSON
Technology assessment
  • The technology assessment phase
  • Factors to make the right decisions
  • Value proposition of the technology
  • Market analysis
  • Time of market entry
  • Protection strength
  • Capacity of the research team
  • Pathways to transfer technology
  • Partners in technology transfer
  • Technology transfer strategic plan
  • Market validation
READING
Assessing IP and technology at the University of Liege

How universities assess their own technologies in practice by using already developed assessment tools

READING
Licensing or spinout? An overview of your options

There are two main options to transfer a technology from lab to market, namely licensing and spin-out, each of them having its own pros and cons at any given case.

CASE
Assessment of Technology: IBV Research Project on Bone Treatment

IBV is a technology center that carried out an applied research project whose main outcome is the formulation and processing conditions of the advanced material. IBV tries to assess the possibilities of its commercial exploitation.

TOOL
Technology Assessment Dashboard

Methodology for evaluating technology from different perspectives considering relevant areas: technology profile, target market, time of entry, strength of protection, team capacity, partners, and pathways.

TOOL
Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are a method of estimating technology maturity. TRL is based on a scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology.

FORUM
Interaction and discussion with course peers

Share your viewpoint about your weekly learning on the online discussion forum

Week 3. Protection and readiness of technology

GOAL
Weekly learning goal
Analyze the approach to protect a technology and the need to further develop it (proof of concept, readiness)
LESSON
Technology protection
  • The technology protection phase
  • Overview of intellectual property rights
  • Getting the technology protected by patenting
  • Checking patentability
  • Filing the patent
  • The patenting process in a nutshell
CASE
Protection of Technology: IBV Research Project on Bone Treatment

IBV is a technology center that carried out an applied research project to develop an advanced copolymer material for the treatment of bone defects in human beings. With the outcomes of the technology assessment in mind, IBV tries to analyze the possible types of protection which may apply to the technology resulting from this research project.

LESSON
Technology readiness
  • The technology readiness phase
  • Bridging the gap towards the market
  • Development and proof of concept
  • Required partners
READING
Bridging the technological “valley of death”

The difficulty of bridging the technological valley of death, that is the gap between academia and industry when it comes to technology transfer.

READING
INNOVA Program: Financing Proof-of-Concept Projects

A real example of a technology proof-of-concept funding program at a university to bridge the ‘valley of death’

CASE
Readiness of Technology: IBV Research Project on Bone Treatment

IBV is a technology center that carried out an applied research project to develop an advanced copolymer material for the treatment of bone defects in human beings. With the outcomes of the technology assessment in mind, IBV tries to analyze the possibilities of further developing the technology to a more advanced state that will attract industry interest.

FORUM
Interaction and discussion with course peers

Share your viewpoint about your weekly learning on the online discussion forum

Week 4. Engagement and negotiation

GOAL
Weekly learning goal

Find the right partners to engage in the technology transfer process and define the deal to initiate a negotiation process

LESSON
Partner engagement
  • The engagement phase
  • The process for locating technology partners
  • The engagement process with technology partners
READING
Reinventing Tech Transfer

A real example of new ways to engage with industry at academic institutions with regards to technology transfer

READING
Business Scouts at the University of Southern Denmark

How universities interact with industry to improve the feedback towards a better technology transfer process

TOOL
Preparation of Technology Brochure

Template for preparing a technology document (promotional brochure) for a technology. The purpose of this document is to show information about the technology to potential customers interested in acquiring it, allowing essential details to be disclosed in order to quickly assess interest.

LESSON
Deal-making and negotiation
  • The deal-making and negotiation phase
  • Overview of the negotiation process
  • Preparing the negotiation process
CASE
Deal-making and Negotiation: IBV Research Project on Bone Treatment

IBV is a technology center that carried out an applied research project to develop an advanced copolymer material for the treatment of bone defects in human beings. With the outcomes of the technology assessment in mind, IBV tries to define the roadmap to facilitate the negotiation process with a possible licensing partner.

TOOL
Preparation of Negotiation on Technology Transfer

Template to prepare a technology transfer negotiation that may be useful to consider all relevant aspects

FORUM
Interaction and discussion with course peers

Share your viewpoint about your weekly learning on the online discussion forum

Week 5. The technology transfer agreement

GOAL
Weekly learning goal

Establish the key aspects/structure of the technology transfer contract and identify the monitoring actions that are needed

LESSON
Contracting
  • The contracting phase
  • Overview of technology transfer contracts
  • License agreement
  • Structure of a patent license agreement
  • Spin-offs (startup creation)
READING
Agreements: A Review of Essential Tools of IP Management

The types of major agreements that can be utilized in technology transfer as part of the relationship between public-sector research institutions and industry

READING
University Spinoffs: What, Why, and How?

A wider understanding of university spinoffs and academic entrepreneurship from a scientific evidence perspective

CASE
Rive Technology: A Spin-off to Improve Catalysts

Rive Technology is a start-up that commercializes an MIT-developed invention that improves catalysts used in oil refining. The case illustrates how a given situation of spin-out creation has been addressed in practice, as part of the process to transfer an invention from bench to market.

TOOL
Templates and Models for Technology Transfer Agreements

Some templates and models for technology transfer agreements used by renowned institutions

LESSON
Process monitoring
  • The monitoring phase
  • Technology transfer implementation
  • The technology package to transfer
  • Monitoring actions
  • Disputes in technology transfer
FORUM
Interaction and discussion with course peers

Share your viewpoint about your weekly learning on the online discussion forum

Week 6. Applied learning project

GOAL
Weekly learning goal

Apply the knowledge acquired during the course to a practical situation through the "practice by doing" approach, so an effective retention of information and learning experience can be achieved

PROJECT
Commercialization of a new photobioreactor technology for microalgae cultivation

Imagine you are a practitioner working for a technology transfer office, whose main role is to advise scientists on commercialization of their inventions. Say that you have been provided with an invention disclosure form to communicate a new technology (“novel photobioreactor for mass cultivation of microalgae”), and you need to properly advise the inventor to move forward in technology transfer.

FORUM
Interaction and discussion with course peers

Share your viewpoint about your weekly learning on the online discussion forum

SURVEY
Satisfaction, learning and suggestions

Take a few minutes to answer this survey to find out your satisfaction with the course, evaluate your learning as a participant, and receive your suggestions for improvement.

CREDENTIAL
Course completion document

Download the course completion credential (statement of completion)

Analytical tool


Technology Transfer Canvas

Exclusive analytical tool utilized during the course that is developed by The Transfer Institute.

Course credential


Statement of course completion that is downloaded by participants upon completion of the course.

Download course syllabus


Download the PDF course brochure to know all details: objectives, competences, content, practice, recommended weekly routine, learning methodology, credentials, etc.

Preparation for certification


This course prepares for the online exam to become a Certified Professional by The Transfer Institute in this domain of business. Participants have to enroll separately in the professional certification that supplements this course. Please check out our pricing options and discounts.

The Transfer Institute learning experience

  • Mode of delivery: online, self-paced, flexible duration

  • Practice-doing approach: applied project, peers’ review, tools

  • Participant-driven learning: community of practice, facilitator

  • Educational material (lessons, case-studies, readings, tools...)

  • Course completion credential; professional certification available

  • Planning for a successfully learning experience

Pricing options

Course

250

Online course

 

Course + Certification

450

Online course + Professional certification online exam
Save €50 with this package

Prices in EURO inclusive of taxes. By clicking on "Enroll' you will be redirected to our online store. Payment options are: Paypal, credit card, and bank wire (direct bank transfer).

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We are trusted by leading customers

University of Manchester / Imperial College London / National University of Medical Sciences Pakistan / Universidad Carlos III de Madrid / Universidad Autónoma de Baja California / Universidad de Concepción / Centro Investigación Polímeros Avanzados / CSIC / Fundación Cientifica AECC / Corfo / Onedose Pharma / Libelium

"The program systematises the approach to technology transfer and gives value by solving practical cases. I highly recommend it for all professionals involved in technology transfer"

Alumni Research Centre, Mexico

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