An Integrated Approach to Commercialization :

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An Integrated Approach to Commercialization

• From Disclosure to Market

Presentation to FPTT Annual Meeting June 18,
2004 Janet E. Scholz University of Manitoba
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Presentation Outline

• Technology Transfer Goals
• Where We Were Five Years Ago
• Where We Are Today
• Staff, Services Programs
• Strategic Alliances
• Performance
• Challenges and Opportunities

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Technology Transfer Goals

• bring results of new research to society for its
  benefit
• contribute to growth of Manitobas economy
• enhance and further the research efforts of
  University researchers
• assist in faculty recruitment and retention
• enrich University financially, while maintaining
  its academic integrity

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Where 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

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Where 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

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IP 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

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Technology Assessment Process
Invention Disclosures
IPAssessment
MarketAssessment

• Ownership
• Patentability
• Other IP protection

• Industry Trends Demographics

CommercializationAssessment Group(CAG)
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IP 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

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Technology Commercialization Programs (TCP)

• LicencePro
• VentureBoxTM
• Incubat
• Springboard Fund

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Technology Commercialization Programs Team

• Janet E. Scholz
• - Senior Technology Development Manager
• Michelle Rempel, B.A. (Econ)
• - TCP Assistant
• Bernie Charlton, M.Sc.
• - Westlink Intern (until Aug 04)

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LicencePro

• 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

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VentureBoxTM

• 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

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Incubat

• 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

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Springboard 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

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Assessment and Commercialization Processes
Initial Contact with Inventor
Start Up Potential Licencing
Potential Future Research Potential
Preliminary Evaluation
Venturebox
Springboard Fund
Incubat
Technology Strategy Document
Assessment
CAG
LicencePro
CAG Commercialization Assessment Group
No Further Action
IP Services
TCP
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
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Strategic 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

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Performance Indicators

• invention disclosures
• patents issued
• licences and options executed
• licencing income received
• start-up companies formed

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Invention Disclosures
1999 - 2004
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Patents Issued

• 113 active patents for 37 technologies
• 13 patent applications filed and 4 patents issued
  in 2003/04

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Licences and Options Executed

• 67 active licences
• 6 licences and 4 options executed in 2003/04
• 25 new projects currently under management in
  LicencePro

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Licencing Income Received(1996/97 to 2003/04)
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Start-Up Companies Formed (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

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Challenges

• 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

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Opportunities

• 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

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Looking 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!!