The journey of a novel technology from the bench to the market involves multiple steps. Whether you are creating unique technologies, developing them for industrial use, or commercializing the resulting products, it’s important to understand the life cycle of innovation.
Read about the Technology Transfer Process to see where your innovative efforts fit now and in the future.
RESEARCH
Observations and experiments during research activities often lead to inventions. It’s important to keep good, reliable laboratory records of your research activities for several reasons. Remember, to contact the UBL–Jaffna before you send or receive any research materials outside the University.
Before sharing the results of any research, or publishing it’s important to ask the UBL-Jaffna whether the document or disclosure contains any innovation or discovery that could be patented.
INVENTION DISCLOSURE
The inventor(s) will complete and submit an Invention Disclosure Form to the UBL-Jaffna. Our Team Members are available to assist with the completion of the form. This written disclosure begins the formal technology transfer process. An invention disclosure remains a confidential document, and should fully describe your invention so that the options for commercialization can be evaluated and pursued.
ASSESSMENT
Invention Disclosure Forms received by the UBL-Jaffna are logged and evaluated.
The technology is evaluated with the input of the inventor(s). Any necessary patent searches are conducted and market research is conducted to confirm the invention’s commercialization potential. The evaluation process will guide the strategy on whether to focus on licensing to an existing company or to help the inventor(s) create a new start-up business.
PROTECTION
Based on the assessment, the UBL will determine if it will file for patent protection on the invention. Patent protection is not sought for all invention disclosures received due to the high cost and work necessary for filing.
Therefore, it’s essential that the inventor(s) cooperate in the timely review and preparation of the patent application. The inventor(s) should provide the UBL team with any details that make the invention novel, useful, and non-obvious and any other information that may be required by the UBL , to obtain meaningful patent protection.
MARKETING
With the inventor’s involvement, UBL-Jaffna will conduct market research and identify candidate companies that have the expertise, resources, and business networks to bring the invention to market. The inventor’s active involvement in preparing information to be presented to companies can dramatically enhance the success of this process.
Both non-confidential summaries of the technology and confidential information, protected by a confidentiality agreement, may be used during the marketing stage. It’s important to note the inventor(s) may be required to meet with the respective licensee in order to discuss the technology in greater detail.
LICENSING
Our office drafts customized contracts between the University and third parties. The rights to an invention are licensed, without relinquishing ownership. In an exclusive license, the University will ensure that it retains the right to use and make the invention for research purposes so the inventor may continue his/her research. However, finding an appropriate licensee can take months and sometimes years, depending on the attractiveness of the invention and the size and stage of development of the market.
Typically two licensing paths can be pursued when licensing technology.
Traditional License
A representative from the UBL-Jaffna licenses the invention to a third party. If the University is successful in licensing the invention to a third party, the institution will split any income derived from the license in accordance with the IP policy. Most University inventions tend to be in the early stage of the development cycle and require substantial commercialization investment, making it difficult to attract multiple licensees. Once a licensee has been identified negotiating specific terms for different materials will take different amounts of time.
Start-Up Company
In general, the inventor will be required to submit a business overview document to UBL-Jaffna. The approach will be based on the University Grants Commission Circular No. 12/2022 :Selection of the Commercial Partners by Research and innovation teams at universities and Start-up AHEAD.
COMMERCIALIZATION
The licensee company continues the advancement of the technology and makes other business investments to develop the product or service. This step may entail further development, regulatory approvals, sales and marketing, support, training, and other activities.