Tech transfer for ERCs

1
Introduction
Tech transfer for ERCs
(Focus on the Medical Device Industry)
Buddy D. Ratner, Ph.D. University of
Washington Seattle, Washington USA
An NSF Engineering Research Center
Ratner_at_UWEB.ENGR.WASHINGTON.EDU
2
My philosophy
Nothing is accomplished in the real world unless
it is adopted by industry
Academic scientists do not manufacture devices A
paper in Science cannot save lives How to repay
the taxpayers supporting academic research?
Prime Minister Gladstone, on a visit to Michael
Faraday's laboratory, asked him whether this
esoteric substance called electricity would ever
have value or practical uses. Faraday replied,
One day, sir, you will tax it.
3
Realities of Product Development
Flexibility to make changes
Cost (investment) Risk
Concept Feasibility Development Scale-up
Clinical trial Launch
time
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Further realities for Biomed ERCs
The FDA and regulatory bodies Reimbursement for
new technologies Corporate conservatism
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The academic/industry balance
So What do we have in common?
Profit Minimize risk Short timelines Protect
knowledge Milestone driven Shareholder interest
Educate Explore frontiers Long timelines Disperse
knowledge High intellectual risk Avoid conflict
of interest
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So What do academia industry agree on in
common?
Return tangibles (product), jobs, taxes back to
society Train students for the real
world Appreciate technology Hard work Ethics
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interventions to bridge the gap
The Coulter Foundation The Al Mann
Foundation University funding (TGIF) NSF
translational funding State Government
funding Risk-taking venture groups
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Remarkable innovations in medical devices,
technologies and diagnostics can help us achieve
quality of life and economic rewards if we can
transcend the black hole of commercialization.