First, a four- to eight-hour RapidScreen to assess categories of readiness related to the technology, technology team, institution, and market. RapidScreen evaluates both the technology and the infrastructure required to advance commercialization. Second, a 40- to 60-hour MarketLook assessment of the market size and opportunity with a focus on the U.S. market. MarketLook’s goal is to uncover the market’s voice with respect to the technology. By uncovering this voice, the TTO can work with the inventor to negotiate a license; form a spin-off; create research, development, and sales collaborations; and/or address shortcomings that are barriers to market acceptance. The MarketLook process uses as its main research method primary interviews (phone calls, in-person interviews, and email exchanges) with potential customers, end users, partners, and other expert validators in the technology’s target markets.

Cliff Zintgraff, UTEN Austin program manager, and Alexandra Marques, CRIA, University of Algarve.

The assessment process yielded a number of useful lessons.

RapidScreen

1. A good technology description and good Internet research can lead to strong initial primary interviews. The first interview was two degrees, or hops, from a deep expert in the field.
2. Corollary to #1 – university researchers make good first interviewees. They are willing to talk and share and can inform about industry possibilities.
3. Complex ownership arrangements involving multiple institutions should be documented in writing and readily accessible.

MarketLook

1. Good interviews can help you know rapidly if a market exists or not. We knew within three calls that there is no solefish industry in the U.S. However, we did learn of several flounder producers. The inventor told us that flounder could be positively affected by the additive.
2. Opinions can change radically with just one hop in the value chain. Aquaculture managers and fish behavior researchers immediately saw the potential value in the technology. Fish nutritionists saw the potential challenges!
3. The MarketLook process created two opportunities for collaboration, a confirmation that an assessment-oriented (as opposed to sales-oriented) process can lead to collaboration opportunities.

Impact on TTO Practices

As a result of this UTEN training, CRIA is implementing the following procedures in its operations.

1. Technology ranking and stages: CRIA is implementing a process to rank technologies and identify their stages of development. This process will be used to set priorities and identify appropriate next steps for priority technologies.
2. Central collection of analysis data: Processes will be defined such that technology analysis results in the central collection of analysis data for efficient execution of processes.
3. Clarify needs of research and industrial markets around UAlg technologies: UAlg will apply processes that rapidly expose the market interest in UAlg technologies. The processes will work to view the technology from the market’s perspective. The goal of the process is to see all options for a technology and develop alternatives that may go beyond initial researcher expectations and intent.
4. Identify specific potential collaborations: Beyond overall market understanding, processes will be defined to identify and pursue specific licensing and other opportunities for UAlg technologies.

Dina Chaves, Senior Officer, INPI is conducting her internship at IC² Institute from July to early September with a focus on technology valorization and US market development for several technologies from NOVA University. Her current focus in on Paper-e. To date several companies such as ASK-RFID, RFSAW, 3M and TI have been contacted and/or expressed early stage interest in the technology. Perhaps most promising, a joint planning grant for research exchange between UT-Dallas under the auspices of their VP of research, Dr. Bruce Gnabe, a world leader in thin film research, and NOVA university is currently being developed. This joint partnership has the potential to leverage UT Dallas’ unique research capabilities and industry contacts to make Paper-E a success for the UTEN project.

Maria José Francisco and Mark Lenox at Texas A&M

Maria José Francisco, Entrepreneurship Program Executive Director, Instituto Superior Técnico is conducting her internship at IC² Institute, The University of Texas at Austin during August with a focus on technology valorization and business development. Her “learning-by-doing” on the transfer of Portuguese medical technologies to US markets has included visits with experts at the Texas Institute for Preclinical Studies at Texas A&M University concerning PET modalities, hardware, software, physics, system design, and regulatory support. She also visited with experts at INCELL in San Antonio and at BioHouston and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Currently she is working on UL and FDA approval for PETSys and was directly aided in sourcing program and regulatory guidelines from those critical groups by the UTEN@Austin team.

Miguel Moura, Patent Examiner, INPI is conducting his internship at South Texas Technology Management (STTM) from July to early September and is working with John Fritz and Sean Thompson, both Technology Licensing Associates. Miguel is focusing his internship on the early stage patenting decisions an office has to undertake with a future license in mind, and all the IP portfolio management required along the way, from initial idea disclosure by an inventor, until the end of the license.

Miguel Moura and Ana Rita Remígio at STTM in San Antonio

Ana Rita Remígio, Technology Transfer and Licensing Officer at UATEC, Technology Transfer Unit at the University of Aveiro, is currently conducting her internship at the office of Hulsey IP – Intellectual Property Attorneys in downtown Austin dealing with technology protection and managing IP Asset Reports. From September through October she will intern at South Texas Technology Management (STTM) to focus on technology transfer processes and frameworks, covering different stages, from idea submission to licensing. Her internship has also a focus on the valorization of several technologies from the University of Aveiro, thought assessment and market validation studies.

David Resende, Researcher in the GOVCOPP Research Unit, University of Aveiro is conducting his internship at IC² Institute, from July to early September. He is working with Cliff Zintgraff on technology valorization and US market assessments for several technologies from his university. He is also studying UTEN Texas partner TT Offices to develop methodologies for evaluating and assisting Portuguese TT Offices.

Marlos Silva, Technology Transfer Officer and Entrepreneurship Coordinator, UATEC, University of Aveiro is currently conducting his internship from July through October at the Office of Technology Commercialization at The University of Texas at Austin working with Max Green, Licensing Specialist. His internship is focused on developing entrepreneurial teams and partnerships while actively working with technologies from the University of Aveiro, and leveraging the contacts of the UTEN team to pursue new opportunities for technologies from his portfolio.

Pedro Silva, Technology Transfer and Industry Liaison Officer, TecMinho, University of Minho is conducting his internship from July to early-September at the Office of Technology Commercialization at The University of Texas at Austin, working primarily with Ray Atilano, Licensing Specialist. The internship has been specially focused on the systematization and documentation of processes and procedures to enhance efficiency of knowledge valorization and commercialization activities at TecMinho, while also developing synergies for long-term cooperation including technology bundling, joint marketing activities and new technology transfer strategies and tactics. Furthermore, he is assessing and marketing a couple of technologies in the U.S. market, and is at the moment discussing some agreements with representatives to further penetrate in this market.

Isabel Alte da Veiga and Bret Cornwell at the Borlaug Institute

Isabel Alte da Veiga, Technology Transfer and IP Manager, INOVISA is conducting her internship, from July to early September, at the world famous Borlaug Institute at Texas A&M University and working with Brett Cornwell, Director of Commercialization Services at Texas A&M’s Office of Technology Commercialization and University Corporate Partnering.

For official details see: http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/apoios/cooptrans/parcerias/uten/

http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/apoios/cooptrans/parcerias/uten/index.phtml.pt