1. 1 United States Department of Agriculture Richard J. Brenner, Ph.D. Assistant Administrator of ARS Office of Technology Transfer Partnering with Federal Laboratories October 24, 2007 St. Michaels, MD

2. 2 USDA “The People’s Department…”  17 Agencies, 12 Offices  Conducts intramural research principally in 3 Agencies “…provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.“

3. 3 “… is the federal institution devoted to resolving problems caused by the interaction of wild animals and society. The Center applies scientific expertise to the development of practical methods to resolve these problems and to maintain the quality of the environments shared with wildlife. “ Partnering with USDA…  Over 160 scientists, technicians, and support personnel at its Fort Collins, CO, headquarters and at field stations in several other states. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/nwrc/research/index.html

4. 4 “The Forest Service (FS) administers programs for applying sound conservation and utilization practices to natural resources of the national forests and national grasslands, for promoting these practices on all forest lands through cooperation with states and private landowners, and for carrying out extensive forest and range research.“  Over 500 scientists at 6 Research Stations and the Forest Products Laboratory. Partnering with USDA… http://www.fs.fed.us/research/

5. 5 “ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to: ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products assess the nutritional needs of Americans sustain a competitive agricultural economy enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.”  Over 2100 scientists at 100 locations, many co-located with Land Grant universities.  1100 projects in 22 National Programs Partnering with USDA… http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/Research.htm

6. 6 How Does Industry Partner with USDA for Commercialization / R&D?   Licensing current protected technologies (including plants) to private sector firms for commercial production.   Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) establish research partnerships to solve industry problems. Through the Office of Technology Transfer… http://www.ars.usda.gov/Business/Business.htm

7. 7 Office of Technology Transfer (ARS) Manages intellectual property issues for the Secretary of Agriculture  Has sole authority for licensing inventions arising from intramural research in any of the USDA agencies (including Forest Service, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS))  Has authority to develop and sign CRADAs for ARS, develop CRADAs for APHIS Wildlife Services, and review CRADAs for FS and others

8. 8 Office of Technology Transfer Patenting 8 registered patent agents Located in Beltsville, MD; Peoria, IL; Albany, CA Licensing 4 senior licensing specialists HQ based Tech Transfer Coordinators 7 specialists with life science / ag background Distributed across geographic Areas of ARS Marketing Targeted marketing Web subscribe Tech Alerts Partnering opportunities Centralized in policy and approvals, licensing, marketing; decentralized in negotiation and implementation of CRADAs

9. 9 Technology Transfer Coordinators David Nicholson – PWA 510-559-5641 David.Nicholson @ars.usda.gov Rob Griesbach -BA 301-504-6421 Rob.Griesbach@ars.usda.gov Don Nordlund – SAA/ MSA 706-546-3496 Don.Nordlund@.ars.usda.gov Renee Wagner – MWA 309-681-6565 Renee.Wagner@ars.usda.gov Thomas Valco Cotton Tech Tran & Education Coordinator 662-686-5255 CTTEC@ars.usda.gov Bryan Kaphammer – NPA / SPA 970-229-5528 Bryan.Kaphammer@.ars.usda.gov Vacant –NAA 215-233-6610

10. 10 ARS Decision-Making Principles  ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority.  Licensing policies are mission driven.  Research programs are designed with stakeholder input, and outcomes are measured by positive impacts.  ARS has a “market pull” orientation.  A variety of tools are available for partnering and technology transfer.  Select the right tool for the job.

11. 11 Types of Tools Used in Technology Transfer   Confidentiality Agreement   Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)   Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)   Patent, PVPC   License Agreement   Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement   Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)   Non Funded Cooperative Agreement   Partnership Intermediary Agreement

12. 12 USDA Licensing Practices  No licenses are required for research-only use of USDA inventions.  Most commercial licenses are exclusive or partially exclusive.  Exclusive commercial licenses for plant varieties reserve the right to make the licensed varieties available to others for research and breeding.  Support licensees against infringement

13. 13 Annual Report to Congress on Technology Transfer --- FY 2006 Metrics  Licenses:  Active: 332 (130 with universities)  New: 25  Biological Materials: 16 (5 new)  Licenses with products on market: 100+ (28 from university co-owned)  30 are plant materials (plant patent or Plant Variety Protection Certificate)

14. 14 Annual Report to Congress on Technology Transfer --- FY 2006 Metrics  CRADAs:  Active: 211  New: 54  Amended: 73  Material Transfer Agreements: 700 (500 outgoing)  Invention Disclosures: 105  Patent Applications Filed: 83  Patents Issued: 39

15. 15 New Initiatives for Partnerships   ARS signed its first Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) to promote biocomposting / bioenergy research & businesses in Maryland (TEDCO)   USDA has requested Enhanced Use Lease authority from Congress (pending Farm Bill)   Facilitates longer-term partnerships with private sector   Allows private sector to renovate / build infrastructure on federal property in exchange for long-term lease of space.   Encourages joint investment / risk sharing for more difficult research goals (e.g., biofuels, nutrition / disease prevention)   USDA would use PIA partner to facilitate & manage relationships

16. 16 Pilot plants and other ARS Infrastructure: Enhanced Use Lease to facilitate Public / Private Partnerships

17. 17 The future ….biobased products & biofuels Switchgrass & biofuels Component separation New foods & biobased products

18. 18 Richard J. Brenner, Ph.D. Assistant Administrator Office of Technology Transfer 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 (301) 504-6905 Photo: Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MD (Joann Perkins) Partnering with Federal Laboratories: USDA October 24, 2007 St. Michaels, MD http://www.ars.usda.gov/Business/Business.htm