Collaborations with industry partners promote intellectual exchange, foster broad recognition for your efforts, and attract financial support. Even for early-stage research deemed commercially promising, collaborations with industry can often bridge the proverbial bench-to-bedside gap and help prove the value of research and clinical innovations.
Our team of commercialization experts will work with you to commercialize your invention. This includes protection and management of the intellectual property (IP) in your invention, based on UHN’s forward-thinking Intellectual Property (IP) Policy. From your invention disclosure, our team of experts will guide you to the most suitable commercialization path, while ensuring the stewardship of valuable IP.
Contact our team to learn more.
Commercialization is a critical step in translating your research innovations “from bench to bedside”, where they can make an impact on patient lives. This technology transfer process can be conceptualized as a continuous cycle in which licensed products in the marketplace help fund future research and innovation.
Content adapted with permission from University of Michigan's Inventor's Guide to Technology Transfer.
The first critical step to commercializing your discovery is to engage with Commercialization at UHN in advance of any public disclosure, including a presentation, publication or other opportunity where information critical to future patentability could be disclosed and available within the public domain.
This is why UHN’s Intellectual Property Policy (available to Team UHN via the corporate intranet) requires researchers/Team UHN to submit an Intellectual Property Disclosure (also known as an Invention Disclosure) to the Commercialization at UHN Office upon making a discovery or creating something with potential commercial value.
Do you have an invention to disclose? You can submit a completed IPD FORM to: commercialization@uhn.ca
Examples of disclosures include new therapeutic entities such as small molecules, NCEs or biologics, diagnostic methods, medical devices, software, clinical tools or questionnaires.
Researchers are encouraged to submit invention disclosures in advance of any external engagement or publication opportunities, using the invention disclosure form available via UHN’s Wellspring system (after logging in, click on "Intellectual Property Disclosure Submission" in the Tasks box on the right.).
If you are not sure what to disclose, please contact us at commercialization@uhn.ca; we encourage you to engage with our team here at Commercialization at UHN to understand more about commercially viable inventions.
By submitting an IPD, you will enable the exploration of commercialization opportunities for your invention and ensure legal protection and future marketability - even if right now, this might not be what you are thinking of exploring.
• As soon as your invention or work can be clearly described
• Prior to making any public disclosure of your work (e.g., abstract submission, poster presentation, journal publication, conference participation or thesis)
Don’t hesitate to contact the Commercialization at UHN office at commercialization@uhn.ca to discuss the details of your invention and to answer any questions you may have.
Protecting your intellectual property when collaborating with third parties is essential. Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) specify the rights, obligations, and restrictions of both parties with respect to issues such as ownership, publication, intellectual property and permitted use and liability.
You can access the Context and Guidance Regarding Use of Simple D/MTA Template here for more information and a list of eligible institutions.
Please see below for answers to many frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact Commercialization at UHN.
