Job Function Summary
Involves advising on intellectual property (IP) rights protection, business startup and other technology transfer related issues. Evaluates the commercial potential of research results, obtains and manages the appropriate IP rights protection, markets inventions and software, and / or biological / tangible materials; drafts and negotiates, and manages IP licenses and Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), and advises on IP terms in research and collaboration agreements. Supports companies who wish to sponsor research and / or license technologies. Facilitates administration of federal and state laws regarding research, conflict of interest, IP, contracts and employment. Works with outside patent attorneys to file patent applications.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
UC San Francisco (UCSF) Innovation Ventures strives to translate our scientific discoveries for public use and benefit. Whether it’s a new drug molecule, diagnostic, medical device or digital health application, our goal is to ensure the best new therapies and technologies can make their way to the patient as efficiently and safely as possible.
UCSF Innovation Ventures is comprised of multiple groups specializing in business development, intellectual property, licensing and entrepreneurship. As part of Innovation Ventures, the HealthTech Commercialization (HTC) team is responsible for administering and managing all of UCSF’s intellectual property, transferring and commercializing campus technologies for public use and benefit, and generating technology license income for research and education.
This work includes implementing the University of California Patent and Copyright Policies, educating the campus community about intellectual property and tangible research property management, evaluating campus inventions for commercial promise, transferring proprietary research materials from the campus to end-users in the public and private sectors, securing the appropriate intellectual property protection for university technologies, marketing campus intellectual property to industry and investors, establishing the value of campus technologies, negotiating and drafting the appropriate license agreements to transfer these technologies to commercial developers, facilitating the formation of new companies based on UCSF technologies, monitoring existing licensees for compliance, and distributing resulting license income to joint owners, the inventors and the campus.
In addition, the HTC structures and negotiates strategic research partnerships, including structuring, drafting and negotiating research collaboration and digital health product co-development agreements. HTC also negotiates and approves intellectual property and licensing terms incorporated within all categories of both non-profit and industry sponsored research agreements, provides intellectual property advice as needed to other Innovation Ventures staff, the Office of the Campus Counsel, the Office of Sponsored Research, Supply Chain Management, and any other UCSF administrative unit in need of its intellectual property and business expertise. HTC works in concert with the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and other UC campus technology transfer offices to further the system-wide goals of the University of California’s technology transfer program.
Commercialization Strategy and Direction
Defines the direction of commercialization and the appropriate startup company development strategies for commercializing research discoveries. They will lead goal setting for the function and implement measurable key performance indicators for year-to-year comparators.
Technology Evaluation and Commercialization Opportunities
As part of identifying “promising” technologies to prioritize, leverages their scientific and technology expertise to determine the important features of a technology, a path to generate products/services from the technology and cultivates a commercialization opportunity with potential partners.
Startup Company Development and Licensing Strategy
Drives startup company development workflow ensuring externally facing aspects are of high quality, such as building pitch decks and the presentation of technology opportunities to companies/investors and engaging with executives, business development professionals, venture capitalists to secure commercial development partners to translate UCSF technologies into products or services.
Furthermore, the Director will use extensive knowledge of the life sciences industry to develop appropriate licensing strategies, deal valuations (including equity terms) to support the negotiation of financial term sheets for patent, copyright, trademark, technology rights, and/or know-how licenses (IP licenses). Success is determined by number of startups developed and with investor raise.
Commercialization Strategy and Stakeholder Coordination
Coordinates with researchers on commercialization strategy and brings internal and external stakeholders together to close deals.
Campus Equity Policy and Stock Issuance
Responsible for campus equity policy and stock issuance related to new startup company development and follow-on management of investment events, such as participation rights.
Policy, Strategy and Faculty Training
Recommends individual exceptions to policy and develops new strategies to meet objectives. Conducts training with faculty regarding equity policies and procedures.
Market and Business Development
Identifies new opportunities and conducts market and business analysis for them. Markets new technology to potential partners including investors and established companies. Establishes and provides networking contacts.
Evaluates opportunities and makes connections with potential partners.
Advises on market, business strategy (including IP strategy), business startup and other technology development issues relevant to the commercialization of UCSF technologies.
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
