ADVANCING YOUR RESEARCH

discoveries
impact

RESEARCHERS

1. ADVANCE YOUR RESEARCH

Industry collaborations and accelerator programs

2. PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Create a clear path forward for commercial development

3. EXECUTE A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Licensing and new ventures

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

1. GAIN ACCESS

Plug into UHN innovators and innovations

2. LICENSE TECHNOLOGIES

Source technologies with commercial potential and reduced business risk

3. CATALYZE A STARTUP

Invest in breakthrough innovation

Do you aspire to take your innovative research to the next level?

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. 

Learn More
Dr. Kuldeep Neote
"By commercializing, you can scale life saving technologies to make them available to millions of people."
— Dr. Kuldeep Neote, former Entrepreneur-in-Residence, UHN
A former senior executive with Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Neote began his career as a discovery scientist, initiating the chemokine receptor drug discovery platform that led to the discovery and further development of several clinical candidates at Pfizer Inc. He spent the latter part of his pharma career on external innovation, NewCo value creation and start-ups (including at UHN), as well as JLABS incubator companies and venture initiatives.

Commercialization Process

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.

The Cycle
of Innovation

Research
Invention
Assessment
Intellectual Property Protection  (If appropriate, necessary, or warranted)
Marketing
Selecting the best licensee(s)
Licensing
Commercialization
Royalties
Reinvestment

Content adapted with permission from University of Michigan's Inventor's Guide to Technology Transfer.

Protecting Intellectual Property

Invention and IP Disclosure (IPD)

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: [email protected]

What should I disclose?

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 [email protected];  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.

When should I file an invention disclosure?

• 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)

Submit an invention disclosure here

Not Sure?

Don’t hesitate to contact the Commercialization at UHN office at [email protected] to discuss the details of your invention and to answer any questions you may have.

Requesting or Sharing Materials (MTAs)

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.

Receiving Materials into UHN
Sending Materials from UHN
MTAs - Resources & Guidelines
Facilitating Research related to COVID-19
TAHSN Simple Data/Material Transfer and Use Agreement
TAHSN Simple Data/Material Transfer and Use Agreement

For more information

You can access the Context and Guidance Regarding Use of Simple D/MTA Template here for more information and a list of eligible institutions.

FAQs

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.

What is research commercialization? 
What is research commercialization?
What is technology transfer? 
What is research commercialization?
What is Intellectual Property?
What is research commercialization?
What is considered public disclosure and how does it affect the patentability of inventions?
What is research commercialization?
How can I report an invention?
What is research commercialization?
Can I still publish my work if I report an invention to Commercialization at UHN?
What is research commercialization?
Is it too late to report an invention if I have already disclosed it?
What is research commercialization?
Should I contact Commercialization at UHN before talking to a company about my invention?
What is research commercialization?
I have an invention that isn't patentable. Should I still contact Commercialization at UHN?
What is research commercialization?
What benefits are there to UHN inventors if commercialization is successful?
What is research commercialization?
I'm not sure whether to contact Grant and Contract Services (GCS) or Commercialization at UHN for my research agreement. Whom do I go to?
What is research commercialization?

Agreement Templates and Documents

Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA) Template
Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) Template
Service Agreement (SA) Template