Technology Transfer Primer for Biotechnology
- Ian Bryan
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
If you are new to tech transfer, particularly if you’re based in an academic or research institute working on biotech inventions, then WIPO’s recent publication ‘A Primer on Technology Transfer in the Field of Biotechnology’ is for you!
It aims ‘to help biotechnology innovation stakeholders understand the environment needed for sustainability, legal certainty and effective technology transfer in this sector’. The Primer focuses on technology transfer of university originating medical biotech inventions to pharmaceutical or biotech companies and cites many examples of successful product launches through such collaborations (e.g., Oxford University and Astra Zeneca’s rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine).
In eleven brief chapters it covers a broad range of topics, from describing what biotechnology is and how it is used in Life Sciences today, to utilizing genetic resources for economic growth, and humanitarian goals versus for-profit activities. At the heart of the Primer are chapters describing the transition from bench to market (outlining the drug development process from discovery to approval), the role of IP in biotech commercialisation (highlighting the need for biotech companies to have a strong IP portfolio and a well-defined IP strategy to attract and raise financial capital), and technology transfer in biotechnology which details the agreements required to facilitate commercialisation of a new biotech product. The chapter on academic institutions and the biotechnology industry is particularly interesting as it showcases examples of successful commercialisation of university originating biotech inventions, such as the University of Pennsylvania mRNA vaccine platform and the development of both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
The Primer is an easy and interesting read, packed with useful information for those working in technology transfer in the Biotech field - many thanks to all at WIPO who produced it!
If you want to learn more about tech transfer and licensing, why not join our ‘Patent and Know How Licensing’ online course where we’ll be taking a deep dive into the key provisions in licence and associated agreements.
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