How to organize a technology transfer office? Lessons learned and pitfalls experiences from The Netherlands

Louise van den Bos Director of Technology Transfer & Licensing Director of Technology Transfer & Licensing Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands vice president ASTP vice president ASTP Association of European Science and Technology Transfer Professionals Association of European Science and Technology Transfer Professionals

Erasmus University Rotterdam 7 Faculties/Schools & Rotterdam School of Management 7 Faculties/Schools & Rotterdam School of Management students students 3500 employees 3500 employees budget 2002 EURO M260 budget 2002 EURO M260

History establishment of so-called transferpunten at 13 Dutch universities establishment of so-called transferpunten at 13 Dutch universities funding by the Ministry of Economic Affairs funding by the Ministry of Economic Affairs Aim: making available the existing body of science and technology to industry, esp. SME’s Aim: making available the existing body of science and technology to industry, esp. SME’s 1989 and onwards: discussions about role and function of transferpunten 1989 and onwards: discussions about role and function of transferpunten 2003: 2 transferpunten still existing 2003: 2 transferpunten still existing

Lesson learned define your mission very well define your mission very well have it approved by the academic community have it approved by the academic community support by the Board of the University and the Deans is essential, but ….. support by the Board of the University and the Deans is essential, but ….. Support by the scientists is even more essential Support by the scientists is even more essential

Structure Transferpunt established in 1984 Transferpunt established in 1984 office in the central administration of the university office in the central administration of the university until 1995 working for all the faculties/schools until 1995 working for all the faculties/schools from specialized TTO for the Medical School and the University Hospital from specialized TTO for the Medical School and the University Hospital 1995 establishment of Erasmus Holding company- aim transparency 1995 establishment of Erasmus Holding company- aim transparency

Structure TTO fte fte 1 commercial /business person 1 commercial /business person 1,5 legal advisors with commercial background 1,5 legal advisors with commercial background 1 advisor from the business community 1 advisor from the business community 1 office manager 1 office manager 0,5 secretarial support 0,5 secretarial support

Output per year 150 requests for extensive support of researchers 150 requests for extensive support of researchers agreements ( MTA/Research Agreements/License agreements/Strategic Alliances) agreements ( MTA/Research Agreements/License agreements/Strategic Alliances) yearly research income from industry for the MedicalSchool < EURO M 20 yearly research income from industry for the MedicalSchool < EURO M 20 royalty income difficult to trace - university administration! royalty income difficult to trace - university administration!

Patents Until 1995 Professor’s privilege, but…. Until 1995 Professor’s privilege, but…. Professors prepared to bring their inventions under the university umbrella Professors prepared to bring their inventions under the university umbrella Patents often filed in the name of the university Patents often filed in the name of the university 1995 revised Dutch patent law: 1995 revised Dutch patent law: employer retains the rights in inventions, also the universities,but the inventor has to employer retains the rights in inventions, also the universities,but the inventor has to receive a reasonable award. receive a reasonable award.

Patents Until 1998 IPR were mostly regulated in early stage Research & License agreements Until 1998 IPR were mostly regulated in early stage Research & License agreements due to the developments in the USA and the due to the developments in the USA and the upcome of the Life Sciences the University was forced to file patents in her name; upcome of the Life Sciences the University was forced to file patents in her name; we have now about 50 patent families in portfolio we have now about 50 patent families in portfolio

Lesson learned Filing patents is one thing Filing patents is one thing Defending patents is costly Defending patents is costly Be prepared, also financially for unpleasant Be prepared, also financially for unpleasant surprises surprises Monitor your patents and licenses regularly Monitor your patents and licenses regularly

Present situation Huge reorganization: Huge reorganization: merger of Medical School and University merger of Medical School and University Hospital into Erasmus MC Hospital into Erasmus MC TTO transferred to Erasmus MC TTO transferred to Erasmus MC TTO based on the Administrative model TTO based on the Administrative model

Present situation Holding company partly dissolving Holding company partly dissolving Erasmus MC will establish their own company- 6 subsidiaries of the Holding will be transferred Erasmus MC will establish their own company- 6 subsidiaries of the Holding will be transferred Deans of the Schools of Economics and Business Administration want to integrate the businessactivities in their resp.Schools Deans of the Schools of Economics and Business Administration want to integrate the businessactivities in their resp.Schools 1 subsidiary nearly was bankrupt last year.```` 1 subsidiary nearly was bankrupt last year.````

Lesson learned Importance of networking for the exchange Importance of networking for the exchange of information / advise / experiences of information / advise / experiences set up a Norwegian network set up a Norwegian network make use of existing networks such as AUTM in the USA and ASTP in Europe. make use of existing networks such as AUTM in the USA and ASTP in Europe.