![[Case Western Reserve University -- Toolbar]](/pix/lowpro.gif)
Posted 11-22-99
Case Western Reserve University has published its first-ever mission statement on technology transfer setting forth the University's goals and strategies for promoting the movement of ideas and inventions from the laboratory to the marketplace.
"This represents another step in our growing recognition of the importance of technology transfer," said Linton G. Salmon, vice president of research and technology transfer and author of the three-page document. The statement has been reviewed by all the University's deans as well as the Board of Trustees' committee on technology transfer.
The statement says the purpose of technology transfer "is to benefit society by disseminating University discoveries through commercialization."
An important goal for the University is to expand the number and value of commercialized discoveries emanating from the campus while minimizing "unreasonable reservations" on the use of discoveries.
It will carry out the dissemination through information workshops, seminars, and through "fostering partnerships with industry."
Other benefits of commercialization are promoting regional economic growth and enhancing future research opportunities for faculty.
Salmon plans to bring to campus individuals and organizations who can help with the complicated process of translating an idea or discovery into a product.
"A professor comes up with a great idea, and even if you have terms for commercialization that everyone loves, much of the work has to happen elsewhere," he said.
"You have to round up venture capital funds. You have to find a management team for your company. You need a place off campus to situate your laboratory or offices," he added.
"There are organizations whose job it is to help provide those services. We need to get to know them, so when a great idea comes up we don't have to say, 'Gosh, we don't know how to make this commercially viable.'"
Specific goals for technology transfer include:
At the same time, Salmon plans to make CWRU more accessible to industry representatives who want to know more about research taking place on campus.
Steps for achieving that include making the University's Web sites more informative and easier to navigate.
The University may also sponsor a conference for industry representatives at which faculty describe their research.
Salmon notes that prospective faculty members increasing review a university's technology transfer program when they are considering job offers. "They realize that some of their greatest satisfaction comes from the science they do benefiting the community. And often the best way to benefit people is through commercialization."
The University also has increased its staffing in technology transfer. Employees hired this year are Salmon; Concetta Bartosh, licensing associate; Carmela Thomas, secretary at University Technology Inc. (UTI); and most recently, Martin Mullins, director of technology transfer at the School of Medicine.
They join the existing staff of Carl Mahler, director of research commercialization operations at UTI, and Peg Koelbe, UTI manager. The University expects to hire three additional staff in the coming year.
![[Toolbar]](/pix/ribbon.gif){kind=small}