Using University Expertise For Commercial Assessments FLC Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting Rocky Gap, MD. September 21, 2006 Dr. J. Scott Deiter Technology Transfer Director Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (301)

Background Commercial IP assessments by experts are expensive –Need a contract in place –Significant funds required –Time to review results Very time consuming to conduct in-house assessments –Tech Transfer Office has minimal manpower –Cannot complete assessments on all IP with perceived commercial value A creative mechanism to obtain quality commercial assessments was needed!

W. P. Carey Program in Entrepreneurship and Management Program administered by Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD Novel mechanism for obtaining FREE high quality commercial assessments and potential market for insertion of technology –Management buy-in after providing scenario on program “Protected” IP provided to the professor of the Program –Patent applications filed with U.S. PTO Provides real-life IP for the curricula as opposed to fictitious IP Students work in groups of 5 on a technology they select Groups are highly motivated, intelligent, and cross several majors Groups interacted directly with inventor(s)

W. P. Carey Program in Entrepreneurship and Management Fall semester conducting commercial assessments –Students taught/directed to cover all aspects of the assessment –High quality report provided –Allows for inventor to alter research Spring semester developing a business plan and marketing strategy –Students taught/directed to cover all aspects of a business plan –Markets, companies identified for marketing the invention –High quality report provided Formal presentations on their research at end of the courses –Audience consists of major business and technology managers –Tech Transfer Directors and scientists invited

Unexpected Results Students working on JMIC Technology: A new defense against a Major bioterror threat while reducing DoD packaging and shipping costs Graduated from JHU Incorporated into Baltimore Shipping Corp. Licensed the technology they worked on for 2 semesters Entered into a CRADA with IHDIV Obtained TEDCO funding for the CRADA Developed commercial prototypes - Omnipac Ready for sales in just over one year

Conclusions Universities such as Univ. of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins are a high quality source for obtaining commercial assessments on federal IP –Be prepared to provide answers to student’s questions on licensing –Your scientists must cooperate with student inquiries on a technology –IP must be protected (at least a filed patent application) Contact at JHU: Lawrence Aronhime Contact at U of Balt.: Ron Hawkins Sample reports are available for review!