The process of technology commercialization culminates in the transfer of intellectual property rights to an enterprise equipped and willing to transition the technology from the laboratory to widespread public utilization. This transfer transpires through a license, which may be granted to an existing company or a newly-formed startup specifically established for the purpose of disseminating the technology for public use. Should a startup company prove the most effective means of transferring the technology, it can be founded by members of the original research team or by other individuals recruited to capitalize on the opportunity.
Each commercialization endeavor is distinct, and licensing strategies are customized to optimize benefits for both the research team and investment or business partners. Common licensing strategies include:
1. Option-to-License
This strategy is frequently employed to secure rights to a technology for a limited duration. Options typically grant exclusive rights for a specified period, enabling partners to assess the opportunity and initiate preliminary commercialization measures.
2. Exclusive License
This arrangement permits access to the technology by a single licensee and can be granted to either an established company or a startup. It offers exclusive rights, typically to a patented technology, in exchange for financial consideration.
3. Non-Exclusive License
This agreement allows multiple industry partners to access the technology on a non-exclusive basis. Terms usually involve a royalty based on sales, which are comparatively lower than those of exclusive license agreements. Non-exclusive licenses may also feature a maintenance fee structure or other means of ensuring that the licensee actively pursues the commercial implementation of the technology.
Each technology commercialization pathway presents unique challenges that necessitate meticulous planning and robust relationships to effectively navigate developmental obstacles. The SciCo Science & Technology Center boasts an extensive and successful track record of closely collaborating with our licensees as partners in transferring technology from the laboratory to end-users.
Our Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) is dedicated to constructing a trans-regional technology commercialization collaboration platform and expediting the commercial implementation of exceptional scientific and technological accomplishments. We collaborate with researchers worldwide, actively connecting their high-quality patented inventions and know-how technologies with the market, industrial chain, and capital for successful commercial development.