An Integrated Approach to Commercialization
:From Disclosure to Market
Presentation to FPTT Annual MeetingJune 18, 2004Janet E. ScholzUniversity of Manitoba
Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline
• Technology Transfer Goals
• Where We Were Five Years Ago
• Where We Are Today
• Staff, Services & Programs
• Strategic Alliances
• Performance
• Challenges and Opportunities
Technology Transfer GoalsTechnology Transfer Goals
• bring results of new research to society for its benefit• contribute to growth of Manitoba’s economy• enhance and further the research efforts of University
researchers• assist in faculty recruitment and retention• enrich University financially, while maintaining its
academic integrity
Where We Were Five Years AgoWhere We Were Five Years Ago• technology transfer function embedded in Industry Liaison
Office; and obscured by other office activities (industry outreach, contract administration)
• limited staff resources dedicated to function; limited profile internally or externally
• lack of rigorous process for assessing inventions; limited input from private sector
• aggressive technology licencing program but passive approach to start-up company creation
– weak local start-up venture capital fund climate
– proclivity of researchers to commercialize inventions independently
Where We Are TodayWhere We Are Today• dedicated, qualified group focussed on technology
transfer
• rigorous, time sensitive, value-added invention assessment process that involves private sector input
• integrated suite of technology transfer programs and services
• heightened interest and awareness of technology transfer programs, internally and externally
• formal technology transfer alliances with other academic based research institutions, hospitals, research institutes, business incubator firms and venture capital funds in the Province of Manitoba
IP ServicesIP Services• intellectual property advice• technology assessments
– evaluation of commercial and market opportunity potential of technologies
– formal feedback on technology from Commercialization Assessment Group (CAG)
– patent and commercialization strategy development
• ongoing patent management
Invention Disclosures
IPAssessment
MarketAssessment
CommercializationAssessment Group
(CAG)
• Ownership• Patentability•Other IP protection
•Industry Trends & Demographics
Technology Assessment ProcessTechnology Assessment Process
IP Services TeamIP Services Team• Tamara Thomson, M.Sc.
- IP Services Manager
- Market Analyst
• Michelle Quick, M.Sc. MBA- IP Analyst (Life Sciences)
• Chithra Karunakaran, Ph.D.- IP Analyst (Engineering)
• Elan Jury, B.A.- IP Services & TCP Assistant
Technology Commercialization Technology Commercialization Programs (TCP)Programs (TCP)
– LicencePro
– VentureBoxTM
– Incubat
– Springboard Fund
Technology Commercialization Technology Commercialization Programs TeamPrograms Team
• Janet E. Scholz- Senior Technology Development Manager
• Michelle Rempel, B.A. (Econ)- TCP Assistant
• Bernie Charlton, M.Sc. - Westlink Intern (until Aug 04)
LicenceProLicencePro
• designed to maximize licencing potential effectively and efficiently
• licence strategy development within 30 days of CAG review
• goal is to establish receptor potential within 8 months of CAG review
• immediate offers of licence where appropriate
VentureBoxVentureBoxTMTM
• designed to successfully create and grow start-up companies around technologies arising from University research
• program familiarizes researchers with business and venture capital practices
• companies created under program:– serve as vehicle for promoting business and accessing
funding opportunities available to the technology
– create competitive advantage for funding opportunities
• provides patent application/prosecution costs for first year
IncubatIncubat• strategic alliance with e-Stage Capital (Dr. Jack Peterson)
and Genesys Ventures Inc. (Dr. Albert Friesen)
• provides experienced, early-stage management,
business and fund-raising services to VentureBoxTM
companies and others
• located in 10,000 sq. ft. of 135 Innovation Drive, Smartpark Research and Technology Park
Springboard FundSpringboard Fund• up to $4 M fund to support early-stage start-up
companies in proof-of-concept research, marketing, business plan development and IP protection
• exclusively dedicated to University technologies, in
particular, VentureBoxTM
companies• closes investment gap between traditional VC and
interest in early stage ventures that typically derive from University research
• general partner is Crocus Investment Fund
Initial Contact with Inventor
Preliminary Evaluation
Assessment CAG
Tech
no
log
y S
trateg
y D
oc
um
en
t
No Further Action
LicencePro
Incubat
Springboard Fund
Venturebox
Start Up Potential
Licencing Potential
Future Research Potential
Assessment and Commercialization Assessment and Commercialization ProcessesProcesses
IP Services TCP
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
CAG = Commercialization Assessment Group
Strategic AlliancesStrategic Alliances• IP Services
– University of Winnipeg
– Brandon University
– Health Sciences Centre
– CancerCare Manitoba– St. Boniface General Hospital (under development)
– Childrens Hospital Foundation (MICH) (under development)
• Business Incubator Services– e-Stage Capital
– Genesys Venture Corp.
– Smartpark Research & Technology Park
• Financial Services– Crocus Investment Fund
Performance IndicatorsPerformance Indicators• invention disclosures• patents issued• licences and options executed• licencing income received• start-up companies formed
Invention Disclosures Invention Disclosures
Invention Disclosures
43
35
21
9
16
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004
Fiscal Year
Nu
mb
er
of
Inv
en
tio
n D
isc
los
ure
s
1999 - 2004
Patents IssuedPatents Issued• 113 active patents for 37 technologies• 13 patent applications filed and 4 patents issued in
2003/04
Technologies with Active Issued Patents by Area
27
7
3
Life Sciences
Engineering
Agriculture
(8%)
(73%)
(19%)
Licences and Options ExecutedLicences and Options Executed• 67 active licences• 6 licences and 4 options executed in 2003/04• 25 new projects currently under management in
LicencePro
Active Licences by Area
48
15
4
Life Sciences
Agriculture
Engineering
(6%)
(72%)
(22%)
Licencing Income ReceivedLicencing Income Received(1996/97 to 2003/04)(1996/97 to 2003/04)
Licencing Income Received
$719,379$659,626
$1,452,170 $1,329,995
$1,797,380
$2,417,399 $2,334,364
$2,177,387
$-
$500,000
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
$3,000,000
1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004
Fiscal Year
Start-Up Companies FormedStart-Up Companies Formed (2003 and under development)(2003 and under development)
• 3 new companies formed 2003– International River Power (ultra-lowhead, run-of-the- river
turbine design)– University Engineering Products Inc. (niche market, later
stage engineering-type products)– Nibtec (arthritis therapeutic)
• 14 new projects under management within
VentureBoxTM
ChallengesChallenges
• Meeting rapidly increasing service demands- funding
- limited supply of trained professionals University of Manitoba Continuing Education Certificate in
Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization Management (IPTCM)
• access to early stage seed capital• local fragmentation of effort
OpportunitiesOpportunities• Outstanding new faculty with keen interest in
technology transfer opportunities
• Demonstrated federal government interest in technology transfer; introduction of new funding opportunities
• further development of strategic partnerships to enhance service delivery and performance outcomes, and improve coordination of effort
Looking to the FutureLooking to the Future• Increased opportunities for alliances/partnerships
within Province
• Development of new, expanded incubator
• Development of new programs supporting innovation directed to students, community
• MORE SUCCESSES!!