The Office of Technology Commercialization at Rutgers University had a very successful year in 2009-2010 according to their annual report. Some key highlights include:
- Invention disclosures increased 60% to 134 due to increased research funding.
- 100 patents were filed, up from 94 the previous year.
- 80 licenses, options and agreements were executed to commercialize university technologies.
- Total licensing revenue increased to $8.7 million and 8 new startup companies were created, 7 located in New Jersey.
- New initiatives included increased staffing and partnerships with venture funds to support faculty entrepreneurs.
Using Skills in Spain – Workshop with StakeholdersEduSkills OECD
This presentation was prepared for the Diagnostic Workshop with Stakeholders in Cuenca (November 24-25, 2014) in the context of the “Building an Effective Skills Strategy for Spain” project, a collaborative project of the OECD and the Government of Spain. The material was intended as input to the Diagnostic Workshop with Stakeholders and does not aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of Spain’s Skills System. It focuses on the Using Skills pillar of the OECD skills strategy.
This presentation sets out to advance further in the classification and characterization for arrangements of small technology-based firms – such as clusters, technology parks and local production systems – based on the contribution of a case study made in a Brazilian small town, located in the South of Minas Gerais State, called Santa Rita do Sapucaí, where since the mid 1970's a fertile environment grew up for innovation in electronics, system and components.
Using Skills in Spain – Workshop with StakeholdersEduSkills OECD
This presentation was prepared for the Diagnostic Workshop with Stakeholders in Cuenca (November 24-25, 2014) in the context of the “Building an Effective Skills Strategy for Spain” project, a collaborative project of the OECD and the Government of Spain. The material was intended as input to the Diagnostic Workshop with Stakeholders and does not aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of Spain’s Skills System. It focuses on the Using Skills pillar of the OECD skills strategy.
This presentation sets out to advance further in the classification and characterization for arrangements of small technology-based firms – such as clusters, technology parks and local production systems – based on the contribution of a case study made in a Brazilian small town, located in the South of Minas Gerais State, called Santa Rita do Sapucaí, where since the mid 1970's a fertile environment grew up for innovation in electronics, system and components.
Early Stage Edtech Investment Thesis (Sept 2016)Earnest Sweat
Here is an example of a personal investment thesis that I created to share with venture capital firms. In this example, I provide my personal perspective on the edtech sector. For details on how I build this thesis check out my blog (https://goo.gl/CU4Qid).
Note: Some of the confidential information has been redacted for privacy.
The Brazilian Innovation Portal:a virtual space for collaboration between ind...Roberto C. S. Pacheco
In this presentation we describe the Brazilian Innovation Portal as an instrument to bring Universities and firms together in the search for collaboration and innovation. Presentation at the euroCRIS Member Meeting at Lisbon. November 2005.
PIC - Collaboration on Entrepreneurship with African InstitutionsMark Street
PIC Entrepreneurship Mission in Collaboration with African Institutes
Our goal is to work with and through our partners to build a solid platform that connects aspiring entrepreneurs with the business world and giving them the tools necessary to succeed. We aim to foster and convey the entrepreneurial spirit in Israel to stimulate creative minds, to form and build on pioneering ideas, thereby enriching lives with vibrancy, originality, and modernization. In collaborating with PIC, we expect our partners to sell our services to their students, business community and to a regional audience in which to promote their institution and development. This may be achieved in the form of international events, seminars, workshops, consultancies and international study tours.
"Ignited” is sharing the knowledge and experience embedded within Salford Business School in a way that is accessible and relevant.
Presented as a range of short pieces from colleagues within the School this collection of insights proves that the future is:
complex
connected
international and
most definitely exciting!
Business is changing rapidly and just “keeping up” is a very real challenge for us all. Supporting our stakeholders to remain relevant and fully aware of the changing landscape of business is an integral part of our mission, our contribution to business and a reflection of the impact that we have on our local, national and international communities.
http://blogs.salford.ac.uk/business-school/2015-the-year-of-connected-business/
Teacher Essay Writing. Essay writing my teacher. Essay on my teacher. 2022-1...Kimberly Balentine
My Teacher Essay | Essay on My Teacher for Students and Children - A .... A Good Teacher Essay | Learning | Teachers. Essay on Teacher in English for Kids and Students | 500 Words Essay on .... essay on my favourite teacher in english. My teacher essay - Purchase Custom Written Essays.. Write a short essay on A Good Teacher | Essay Writing | English - YouTube. Write essay on my favourite teacher-Essay writing in english my .... 010 Essay Example Teaching Writing In English My Favourite Teacher At .... My Best Teacher Essay. Write essay on 'An Ideal Teacher' | Essay Writing | English - YouTube. Essay on " My Favourite Teacher" | Essay writing | English essay ....
This business plan involves the development of a proposal to form a business.
Executive Summary:
TechSpace Ptd. Ltd create a software named TechSpace that is designed to act as a medium to build a network between researchers from all fields. TechSpace provides several functions from standard search to custom analytics reports to enhance collaboration between universities, research centres and other organizations as well as bridge the gap between science and technology to entrepreneurial means by enabling academic knowledge accessed by industry and individuals in the form of products, services, and consulting. This can maintain effective global relationships and cooperation between each sector related to research and technology where the needs of each sector can be met in a more efficient manner.
Fostering the startup Ecosystem in Latin AmericaTechstars
There are more common threads uniting us than creating barriers. And when we talk about the conditions necessary to the development of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, it is a fact there are common ingredients. These common ingredients are positioning Latin America to a once in a lifetime opportunity to build wealth and opportunities through entrepreneurship.
World IP Forum presentation on building an innovation system through intellec...Dipanjan "DJ" Nag
Building an innovation ecosystem in India through IP. Startups are at the heart of building value to through technology transfer. The challenge that India has is valuation.
Speaking at the World Intellectual Property Forum was a unique experience. After many years to come back to India and learn about the advancements was truly a pleasure. India is now the 5th largest economy in the world with $3.7T and by 2030 it is predicted to be the 3rd largest economy.
My talk focused on the need for increased number of startups which are more intensive on hashtag#intellectualproperty. Currently India ranks #2 in the world after the hashtag#unitedstates in the number of startups created. But the valuation is still lagging. We had a wonderful discussion around that topic and I will post the slides in a later posting soon.
IP Negotiations for Tech Transfer Tactics FINAL.pdfDipanjan "DJ" Nag
Intellectual property rights are at the heart of virtually every research collaboration between academia and industry, and the negotiation around IP is often contentious, frustrating – and too often a deal-breaker. Every negotiation is unique and loaded with complexity. By gaining practical knowledge of the various situations that arise in these negotiations – and the creative solutions used to resolve them — you can dramatically increase the chances of resolving IP issues and establishing long-term relationships that bring critical benefits to both partners.
This practical session will focus on arriving at a win-win strategy for resolving IP-related issues and structuring a deal that benefits both parties. The session will draw from the direct experiences of the speakers in handling sensitive situations, including a role-playing exercise in a mock negotiation to illustrate specific sticking points and showcase proven strategies for resolving them.
Here is a brief look at the areas covered:
Who owns the foreground IP?
Rights to background IP?
Publication
Patent prosecution
Patent enforcement
Research, Development & Commercialization
Improvements
Other issues in IP negotiations
Mock negotiations to illustrate win-win resolutions
We’ve teamed with a pair of experts with extensive experience on both sides of the table. Join Dr. DJ Nag, PhD, MBA, CLP, RTTP, President of Innovaito, LLC, and Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak, PhD, Vice President of Technology Commercialization for Georgetown University, for this important program
Early Stage Edtech Investment Thesis (Sept 2016)Earnest Sweat
Here is an example of a personal investment thesis that I created to share with venture capital firms. In this example, I provide my personal perspective on the edtech sector. For details on how I build this thesis check out my blog (https://goo.gl/CU4Qid).
Note: Some of the confidential information has been redacted for privacy.
The Brazilian Innovation Portal:a virtual space for collaboration between ind...Roberto C. S. Pacheco
In this presentation we describe the Brazilian Innovation Portal as an instrument to bring Universities and firms together in the search for collaboration and innovation. Presentation at the euroCRIS Member Meeting at Lisbon. November 2005.
PIC - Collaboration on Entrepreneurship with African InstitutionsMark Street
PIC Entrepreneurship Mission in Collaboration with African Institutes
Our goal is to work with and through our partners to build a solid platform that connects aspiring entrepreneurs with the business world and giving them the tools necessary to succeed. We aim to foster and convey the entrepreneurial spirit in Israel to stimulate creative minds, to form and build on pioneering ideas, thereby enriching lives with vibrancy, originality, and modernization. In collaborating with PIC, we expect our partners to sell our services to their students, business community and to a regional audience in which to promote their institution and development. This may be achieved in the form of international events, seminars, workshops, consultancies and international study tours.
"Ignited” is sharing the knowledge and experience embedded within Salford Business School in a way that is accessible and relevant.
Presented as a range of short pieces from colleagues within the School this collection of insights proves that the future is:
complex
connected
international and
most definitely exciting!
Business is changing rapidly and just “keeping up” is a very real challenge for us all. Supporting our stakeholders to remain relevant and fully aware of the changing landscape of business is an integral part of our mission, our contribution to business and a reflection of the impact that we have on our local, national and international communities.
http://blogs.salford.ac.uk/business-school/2015-the-year-of-connected-business/
Teacher Essay Writing. Essay writing my teacher. Essay on my teacher. 2022-1...Kimberly Balentine
My Teacher Essay | Essay on My Teacher for Students and Children - A .... A Good Teacher Essay | Learning | Teachers. Essay on Teacher in English for Kids and Students | 500 Words Essay on .... essay on my favourite teacher in english. My teacher essay - Purchase Custom Written Essays.. Write a short essay on A Good Teacher | Essay Writing | English - YouTube. Write essay on my favourite teacher-Essay writing in english my .... 010 Essay Example Teaching Writing In English My Favourite Teacher At .... My Best Teacher Essay. Write essay on 'An Ideal Teacher' | Essay Writing | English - YouTube. Essay on " My Favourite Teacher" | Essay writing | English essay ....
This business plan involves the development of a proposal to form a business.
Executive Summary:
TechSpace Ptd. Ltd create a software named TechSpace that is designed to act as a medium to build a network between researchers from all fields. TechSpace provides several functions from standard search to custom analytics reports to enhance collaboration between universities, research centres and other organizations as well as bridge the gap between science and technology to entrepreneurial means by enabling academic knowledge accessed by industry and individuals in the form of products, services, and consulting. This can maintain effective global relationships and cooperation between each sector related to research and technology where the needs of each sector can be met in a more efficient manner.
Fostering the startup Ecosystem in Latin AmericaTechstars
There are more common threads uniting us than creating barriers. And when we talk about the conditions necessary to the development of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, it is a fact there are common ingredients. These common ingredients are positioning Latin America to a once in a lifetime opportunity to build wealth and opportunities through entrepreneurship.
World IP Forum presentation on building an innovation system through intellec...Dipanjan "DJ" Nag
Building an innovation ecosystem in India through IP. Startups are at the heart of building value to through technology transfer. The challenge that India has is valuation.
Speaking at the World Intellectual Property Forum was a unique experience. After many years to come back to India and learn about the advancements was truly a pleasure. India is now the 5th largest economy in the world with $3.7T and by 2030 it is predicted to be the 3rd largest economy.
My talk focused on the need for increased number of startups which are more intensive on hashtag#intellectualproperty. Currently India ranks #2 in the world after the hashtag#unitedstates in the number of startups created. But the valuation is still lagging. We had a wonderful discussion around that topic and I will post the slides in a later posting soon.
IP Negotiations for Tech Transfer Tactics FINAL.pdfDipanjan "DJ" Nag
Intellectual property rights are at the heart of virtually every research collaboration between academia and industry, and the negotiation around IP is often contentious, frustrating – and too often a deal-breaker. Every negotiation is unique and loaded with complexity. By gaining practical knowledge of the various situations that arise in these negotiations – and the creative solutions used to resolve them — you can dramatically increase the chances of resolving IP issues and establishing long-term relationships that bring critical benefits to both partners.
This practical session will focus on arriving at a win-win strategy for resolving IP-related issues and structuring a deal that benefits both parties. The session will draw from the direct experiences of the speakers in handling sensitive situations, including a role-playing exercise in a mock negotiation to illustrate specific sticking points and showcase proven strategies for resolving them.
Here is a brief look at the areas covered:
Who owns the foreground IP?
Rights to background IP?
Publication
Patent prosecution
Patent enforcement
Research, Development & Commercialization
Improvements
Other issues in IP negotiations
Mock negotiations to illustrate win-win resolutions
We’ve teamed with a pair of experts with extensive experience on both sides of the table. Join Dr. DJ Nag, PhD, MBA, CLP, RTTP, President of Innovaito, LLC, and Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak, PhD, Vice President of Technology Commercialization for Georgetown University, for this important program
Negotiating intellectual property rights between industry and university can be very complex and sometimes contentious. This presentation covers the key areas of negotiating strategy that tries to find common ground.
What to know if it is your first rodeo in patent monetization?Dipanjan "DJ" Nag
What to know if it is your first rodeo in patent monetization
The top two monetization deals from universities have received more revenues than the combined revenues of technology transfer for all universities reporting to AUTM. Yet, patent monetization is often seen in a negative light. Corporate licensing relies heavily on patent monetization and a company like IBM produces close to two billion dollars in annual revenues year after year. There are certain nuances of patent monetization that a university should adopt, which can be regarded as ethical licensing. The cornerstone of ethical licensing is to ensure patents utilized in a monetization campaign are of the highest quality and that the university takes every precaution to preserve its reputation. If it is the first time that a university is considering patent monetization, certain best practices from the corporate side before launching a campaign. This panel of highly experienced patent monetization experts will discuss the financials, due diligence, public perceptions, and legal implications of carrying out a highly successful patent monetization program.
What to know if it is your first rodeo in patent monetization V2_19DN.pptxDipanjan "DJ" Nag
The top two monetization deals from universities have received more revenues than the combined revenues of technology transfer for all universities reporting to AUTM. Yet, patent monetization is often seen in a negative light. Corporate licensing relies heavily on patent monetization and a company like IBM produces close to two billion dollars in annual revenues year after year. There are certain nuances of patent monetization that a university should adopt, which can be regarded as ethical licensing. The cornerstone of ethical licensing is to ensure patents utilized in a monetization campaign are of the highest quality and that the university takes every precaution to preserve its reputation. If it is the first time that a university is considering patent monetization, certain best practices from the corporate side before launching a campaign. This panel of highly experienced patent monetization experts will discuss the financials, due diligence, public perceptions, and legal implications of carrying out a highly successful patent monetization program.
Can you monetize innovation? Universities and corporation are interested in licensing patents without selling products. More companies are now focused on monetizing their ideas than ever before. IBM, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Nokia and a long list of other companies add more to their bottom line than you would imagine.
Role of Adenines in stabilization of DNA G-quadruplexes
OTC_Annual_Report_2010
1.
2. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 2
r An increase in the number of disclosures
– With 134 disclosures (a 60% increase
over FY2009) it was a very prolific year for
Rutgers research. The rise in the number of
inventions was a direct result of the sub-
stantial increase in the research funding
at Rutgers which has been steadily on the
upside for the last decade.
r Consistent Patent Activity – 100 provisional
and regular patents were filed in 2010 (com-
pared to 94 in FY2009). The IP area also initi-
ated a student intern program this past sum-
mer. A few of our talented student interns
are still contributing to the department; the
program has far exceeded our expectations.
r Licensing successes - While last year’s
economy did not favor business develop-
ment, technology transfer activities gen-
erally increased as measured by license/
option activity and revenue generation. We
executed 80 licenses, options and similar
agreements in FY2010. – A majority of the
For faculty with a
passion for re-
search and innova-
tion, it’s an excit-
ing time to be at
Rutgers University.
Over the last year,
the University has
demonstrated an
unprecedented
commitment to
technology commercialization beginning with
the warm welcome I received from President
McCormick when I began my job as Executive
Director last Fall.
With over $430 million in total research
funding, Rutgers is a research powerhouse not
only in the northeast corridor but in the nation.
We’ve had many accomplishments in
technology commercialization over the past
year. I am pleased to highlight some of these
below.
Director’s Message
Table of Contents
Director’s Message 2
Faculty Profile 4 - 5
Technology Highlights 6 - 7
Startup Company News Highlights 8 - 14
Center Profile 15
Office of Research Alliances 16
Intellectual Property Group 17 - 18
Corporate Contracts Group 19
Technology Licensing Group 20
Department Highlights 21
About the Office of Technology Commercialization 22 - 23
3. page 3 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
agreements negotiated are expected to lead
to commercialization of university-owned
technologies in the near term.
r Increase in revenues – Rutgers total licensing
revenue increased from $8.1 million to $8.7
million. An additional $224,000 in equity was
received by the department. The non-turf-
grass revenues increased by over 50 percent
from the prior year.
r Start-Up successes - A major mission of
Rutgers is to positively impact the economy
in our home state. Over the years, Rutgers
has created more than 70 spin-off compa-
nies with a majority of these located within
New Jersey. In FY2010 alone, eight new
companies based on Rutgers innovations
were created. Seven of these were located in
NJ, directly increasing the number of jobs in
the state.
Last year also brought several new initiatives,
some have been implemented, and others will
be implemented in FY2011.
r Increased staffing at OTC – Three new
licensing managers - two in life sciences,
and one in physical sciences engineer-
ing, joined OTC after national searches. We
also conducted a nationwide search for
our first Director of Operations. We wel-
comed Andrew Wooten to this position in
September. In addition, we plan on broaden-
ing our internship program in the coming
year.
r Active role in AUTM – The office has been
working hard to benchmark peer institu-
tions in areas such as entrepreneurship and
invention management. The entrepreneur-
ship program being initiated at Rutgers is
a direct example of President McCormick’s
vision of forging Rutgers University ahead in
this area. OTC has also played an active role
in trade organizations such as AUTM and LES.
As a personal commitment, I have become
AUTM’s AVP of Professional Development,
supporting education as well as international
outreach.
r New Alliances - As I look ahead, I see an even
brighter future as we’ve formed many new
relationships with various venture funds
including Allied Minds, Intellectual Ventures
and Triton Ventures. Recently, Allied Minds
signed a Memorandum of Agreement to sup-
port Rutgers spinoffs, committing $3 million
for investment over the next three years.
Intellectual Ventures, a prominent IP based
fund in Seattle, signed a partnership agree-
ment with Rutgers University. These and
other partnerships will be instrumental in
ensuring faculty and entrepreneurs have the
necessary funds available to create future
spinoff companies.
In the past, our office has successfully taken
technologies from Rutgers research programs
into the marketplace to benefit the public -
from introducing new varieties of cranberries,
to creating computer learning programs for
children to designing stents for surgical pa-
tients. With Rutgers increased commitment to
the OTC, I foresee many more successes such
as these.
In closing, I would like to acknowledge and
thank the faculty, staff and students who dis-
closed inventions in FY2010 and participated
in the technology commercialization process.
Your discoveries are the foundation with which
we build our successes upon. Thank you for
continuing to drive innovation at Rutgers.
Dipanjan Nag
Executive Director, OTC
4. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 4
Paula Tallal’s story is not only one of Jersey
Roots….Global Reach but also an inspiring story
of how one person can truly make a differ-
ence in the lives of many. Her neuroscience
research that began in a Newark, New Jersey
lab has been translated into products that have
been sold to over 3 million children in 44 coun-
tries– more importantly her research and the
resulting products have improved the commu-
nications skills of millions.
The neuroscientist who started out as
an art-history major never imagined being a
business person and inventor. After receiv-
ing a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from
Cambridge University and teaching at Johns
Hopkins University and the University of
California, San Diego (UCSD), Tallal was
recruited to Rutgers Newark, together
with Dr. Ian Creese, to create and be the
Co-Director of the Center for Molecular
and Behavioral Neuroscience, one of the
first Neuroscience programs dedicated
to integrate cognitive and neural sci-
ences. It was here she demonstrated
that certain listening skills including
memory, attention, processing speed
and sequencing (MAPS) were the basic
cognitive building blocks that support
both spoken and written communication.
A series of brain training exercises, disguised
as computer games, using positive reinforce-
ment and based on the MAPS theory were
designed and developed by Tallal and her team
at Rutgers, in collaboration with a neurosci-
ence team at the University of California, San
Francisco. These games were introduced at a
Rutgers summer computer camp. After four
short weeks, the campers had significantly
improved their language skills. Tallal explains,
“The programs’ games contained mental train-
ing exercises that rewired the brain.”
The results were published in back to back
issues of Science and as the cliché goes, the
phone was ringing off the hook. Tallal recalls,
“Parents and teachers were calling Rutgers
and asking how they could get this program.”
Not knowing how to replicate or
scale-up the program for a manufacturer,
Tallal contacted the Office of Technology
Commercialization (previously the Office of
Corporate Liaison and Technology Transfer)
who had protected her intellectual property.
The office helped her find the best outlet to
license this technology. This was a new frontier
and there were no obvious “buyers.” With
the offices’ assistance, Tallal cofounded the
Scientific Learning Corporation, along with
Drs. Michael Merzenich and Bill Jenkins at the
University of California, San Francisco, and
Rutgers colleague Steven Miller in 1996. Fast
ForWord,®
their revolutionary software, was
introduced in 1998.
“I couldn’t have asked for more sup-
port from the various areas at Rutgers,” says
Tallal. “From the tech transfer office to the
provost and chancellor – the entire university
has been extremely supportive both in giving
me the background I needed to be success-
ful, filing my patents correctly, handling the
licensing and setting up the start-up com-
pany. “ The Board of Governor’s Professor of
Neurosciences and Co-Director of CMBN adds,
“My desire was to remain a full-time academic
which I was able to do. At the same time, I am
able to consult with the company. It allows
me to stay involved with the product of my
research without it being a conflict of interest.”
As of June 30, 2010, Tallal’s inventions
have brought in over $5.5 million in royalty
income to Rutgers. Today, Scientific Learning
Corporation is publicly traded on the NASDAQ
and provides education software to K-12
schools, educational institutions, speech and
language clinics, and learning and tutorial cen-
ters around the world. The company produces
12 different products and holds the rights to
83 issued patents and 26 patents pending. A
spin-off company. Posit Science Corportation,
targeted at the elderly population, has de-
signed software based on the MAPS training
technology to head off cognitive dysfunction
associated with aging.
Faculty Profile
Paula Tallal
5. page 5 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
Fast ForWord®
is unlike the typical educa-
tional software, which are usually electronic
versions of textbooks. Fast ForWord®
uses a
sophisticated algorithm, based on Tallal and
her colleagues’ research that prompts each
user uniquely, reflecting his or her strengths
or weaknesses, to respond to stimuli. The
program is calibrated to reward success-
ful responses so that the brain rewires itself
neurologically. Results, demonstrated using
both behavioral and neuroimaging techniques,
include improved test scores, increased self-
confidence and reduced costs compared to
traditional intervention services.
Tallal is especially enthusiastic about the
ability to translate her work into so many set-
tings – particularly K-12 education. She’s been
influential with leading decision makers. She
comments, “It’s exciting to bring neurosci-
ence to them and explain how the brain can
be improved to support learning by combining
insights from cogntiive and neural sciences
with technology.”
What is on the horizon for Tallal? She’s
now starting two studies with Rutgers under-
graduates using cognitive fitness tests devel-
oped for children. The first group is part of the
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
(GS-LSAMP), a $5 million, five-year, multiple-
school program that aims to substantially
increase the numbers of under-represented
minority students graduating, and eventu-
ally, pursuing careers in the fields of science,
technology, engineering and math, also known
as STEM fields.
The second group is Rutgers students
entering the school with lower verbal scores
on the accu-placer test. These students must
pass developmental writing classes before
they can enter the required writing program.
“We’re hoping that by using Fast ForWord®
we
can help these students improve their cogni-
tive and communication skills, skills that are so
essential to overall academic performance.
The passion she feels for her research
is evident when Tallal talks about the posi-
tive effect Fast ForWord®
has had on people’s
lives. She has received letters and emails from
parents and children who have benefited from
the product. Parents whose child has done Fast
ForWord®
training approach her at scientific
conferences to thank her and give her hugs.
Most recently, a friend of a neighbors asked if
she could meet Paula so she could thank her
in person for the change Fast ForWord®
had on
her child’s life.
For additional information, on the Fast
ForWord®
product series, visit www.scientifi-
clearning.com The product was just released
for individual in-home use, visit www. brain-
sparklearning.com for more information.
2010 At a Glance
In FY 2010 the office:
r Processed 1149 Corporate Contracts, a
13% increase over the previous year
r Generated $18.8 million in industry
sponsored projects
r Received 134 invention disclosures, a
60% increase over the previous year
r Filed 55 Provisional Patent applications
r Filed 45 Regular U.S. Patent applications
r Received 26 Issued U.S. Patents
r Completed 80 agreements (includes
patent licenses, options, and comparable
agreements)
r Generated $8.7 million in licensing income
r Created 8 start-up companies; 7 of which
are headquartered in New Jersey
Faculty Profile
6. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 6
Technology Highlights
They are 3-D, they are intricate, and they are
unique. The folding technologies created in the
laboratory of Dr. Elsayed, Rutgers department
of Industrial and Systems Engineering, enable
a new generation of stronger, lighter and lower
cost structural panel materials. The patented
technology, a continuous folding concept and
a unique process that creates 3-D engineering
designs, endows conventional sheet materi-
als with exceptional and superior performance
characteristics. Paper once folded according to
a predefined pattern results in high strength,
light weight and easy to produce products. The
technologies are also capable of folding a wide
range of material (copper, aluminum, paper,
plastic, etc.) into intricate designs. All these
have one common feature: their ability to be
produced by folding a flat sheet of material.
Physical Sciences – Folding Technology
Created from a relatively new theory
of mathematics, the complex folded sheet
structures are generally polygonally faceted
surfaces that repeat in two directions within
parallel planes. The surfaces are nearly zero
curvature (NXC), that is the geometry will fold
and unfold into a flat plane and are called DPFs
(doubly periodic folded surfaces).
Topline Containers, LLC recently licensed
the “paper” applications of the folding tech-
nology. Topline is currently conducting exten-
sive testing and evaluation of this technology.
It plans to build a production line in 2011.
The technology is available for licensing in
other applications and can be used to provide
stronger, lighter and cost effective alterna-
tives for walls, floors, roofs, modular shelters,
recreational vehicles, containers, pallets and
other industries.
7. page 7 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
While significant progress in the develop-
ment of a single drug or diagnostic agent is
worthy of praise, Rutgers
Pharmaceutics Professor II
Patrick Sinko and his labo-
ratory research assistant
Manjeet Deshmukh have
developed a novel drug and
diagnostic delivery system
using poly(ethylene glycol)
(PEG) nanogels that prom-
ises to improve the safety
and efficacy of many existing
drug and diagnostic agents.
The PEG nanogels are capable
of forming stable aggregates
of different sizes that allow
for a specific organ/cell type to be targeted.
This specificity is crucial for diseases such as
tumor-based cancers where a high dosage is
needed in a very specific region of the body. In
addition to the ability to stabilize and solubi-
lize the carried agent so that it may reach the
Life Sciences - PEG Nanogels
intended target and deliver a full dosage, the
delivery system allows for a reduced risk of
complications due to its abil-
ity to prevent a wide disper-
sal of the medicinal agent
throughout the body.
Since the PEG nano-
gels are highly biocompat-
ible and the Food and Drug
Administration has classified
PEG as “generally regarded
as safe” (GRAS) , this new
drug and diagnostic delivery
technology provides the rare
opportunity for rapid transi-
tion from the laboratory to
use in humans. The technol-
ogy will improve current treatments with few,
if any, side effects in healthy tissues. Most re-
cently, Professor Sinko received a major grant
from the National Cancer Institute to treat lung
cancer using this approach.
What is IP? Intellectual Property
What is a Patent? An exclusive right granted for an invention.
Who can apply for a
patent?
Only the actual inventor(s)
How long is the
exclusivity period of a
Patent?
Twenty years
What is OTC? At Rutgers, OTC stands for The Office of Technology Commercialization
What is LES?
LES is the Licensing Executives Society (LES). This is an international profes-
sional society with nearly 11,000 members engaged in the development,
use, transfer, marketing, and management of intellectual property.
What is technology
transfer?
Technology transfer is a term used to describe a formal transfer of rights
to use and commercialize new discoveries and innovations resulting from
scientific research to another party. Universities typically transfer technol-
ogy through protecting (using patents and copyrights), then licensing new
innovations.(Source: AUTM website)
Did you know?
Technology Highlights
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
image of aggregated nanogel particles
(ANPs). Inset: In vivo imaging system
(IVIS) image of fluorescently attached
ANPs showing highly selective accumu-
lation in a rat lung.
8. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 8
Startup Company News Highlights
A measure of success for any technology commercialization office is when faculty and
students turn their innovations into viable companies. In FY2010, a total of eight (8) new
companies were started from Rutgers, helping boost the local economy and showcasing the
University as an entrepreneurial leader in the state. In addition to forming new companies,
the OTC assists in developing the numerous start-up companies that have been founded on
University technologies during the past twenty-one years. Over 50 of these companies are
viable today, with the majority based in New Jersey.
Professor April Benasich spends much of
her time at Rutgers Center for Molecular and
Behavioral Neuroscience laboratory inter-
acting with babies. For over 15 years, Dr.
Benasich, the director of the Infancy Studies
Laboratory, has focused her research on brain
development in infancy and early childhood,
specifically the neural processes necessary
for normal language and cognitive develop-
ment. The ability to perform
fine-grained acoustic analyses
for non-speech sounds, in the
tens of millisecond range, is
critically important to analyzing
and discriminating the speech
stream. Most of the timing cues
involved in speech perception
occur in a time scale of tens
to hundreds of milliseconds.
Analysis of these timing cues,
allows the child’s brain to set
up language maps and promote
automatic language processing. Dr. Benasich
was the first to show that in infants this ability
to analyze non-speech is highly predictive of
later language. A child who is poor at process-
ing rapid, sequential acoustic information, is
at much higher risk of developing a language
disorder.
Over the last eight years, Dr. Benasich
has created a technology (patent-pending),
that can identify infants at highest risk of
poor language outcomes and “normalize” and
optimize information processing at a very early
age, before language is acquired, by improving
their processing of ongoing rapid, sequential
acoustic information.
In 2008 AAB, LLC, a spin-off company
founded by Professor Benasich, licensed the
technology with a goal of bringing this poten-
tially life-changing invention to the public. The
beneficiaries are 4 – 6 month olds who have a
higher risk of developing a language disorder.
These could be children with a
family history of language disor-
ders such as language impairment
and/or dyslexia or very pre-term
infants. According to Dr. Benasich,
research studies have shown that
using the interactive application
she has designed allows for very
early assessment and interven-
tion. She comments, “You can
change the efficiency of the child’s
processing using certain sounds
and visual stimuli to promote
development of optimal brain networks. Thus a
language disorder might be prevented entirely
from occurring. This intervention also appears
to increase the effectiveness of information
processing in normally developing children as
well.”
AAB assembled a team of consultant
experts in marketing, production development
and engineering who are designing a series of
prototypes which they can market to a partner
company in the technology or educational toy
industries. The company is developing a more
AAB, L.L.C.
Elise Hardwick, 4 1/2 months old,
participates in one of a series
of field trials to determine what
types of toys best capture the
attention of young infants.
9. page 9 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
general fun, toy-like device for the gen-
eral public—to support and enhance babies’
cognitive and language development. Also in
progress is a more complex clinical tool that
would be used in doctor’s offices and clinics to
assess the baby and then deliver individual-
ized treatment to correct potential language or
cognitive delays.
Dr. Benasich concludes, “I think we
can have a substantial impact on improving
children’s language and cognitive develop-
ment. The result of my research and AAB’s
work will be a fun, exciting and technologically
sophisticated device for children that will en-
courage parents and children to interact with
each other. “
Though AAB is currently self-funded, the
company will be looking at potential partners
for sublicensing over the next year.
“Quite Possibly the
World’s most perfect
building Materials” is
a tagline that is ex-
tremely well suited to
Axion International. The
New Providence, New
Jersey company designs,
develops and manufac-
tures a new generation
of eco-friendly structural
building materials that
are unlike anything on
the market. The patented
technologies, developed by Thomas Nosker’s
team of scientists at Rutgers Department of
Materials Science and Engineering, transform
recycled consumer and industrial plastics
into a myriad of structural products includ-
ing railroads, marine pilings and bridges. The
American–made products are stronger, more
cost effective and longer lasting than wood,
steel or concrete.
The company began operations in 2007
and certainly reached a breakthrough in 2009
when At Fort Bragg, N.C., a 70-ton M-1 Abrams
tank, too heavy for many bridges, repeatedly
crossed a bridge made of Axion’s 100% recy-
cled plastic. The bridge crossing was featured
in Business Week in September 2009. Other
Axion highlights in the previous year included:
In June 2010 the
Company announced
it received its first
two purchase orders
for railroad crossties
made out of Recycled
Structural Composite
(RSC) by Moroccan
National Railway
Company (ONCF).
ONCF operates more
than 1100 miles (1900
kilometers) of track
throughout Morocco
(North Africa) and carried over 29 million pas-
sengers last year.
Innovative Composites International Inc.
announced in February 2010 that it signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”)
with Axion for the companies to utilize their
respective complementary technologies in
several projects and exchange thermoplastic
products know-how. ICI has utilized Axion’s
patented thermoplastic material in the design
of the state-of-the-art composite containers
developed jointly by ICI and Universal Storage
Containers, LLC (USC), the exclusive marketer
and distributer of the finished containers, un-
der the Z2-Box™ name.
For more information visit www.axionintl.com.
Axion International
Startup Company News Highlights
10. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 10
Connotate is a leading provider of solutions
that help companies collect data and content
from the Web. Leveraging patented technology
developed at Rutgers University, Connotate
provides clients with customized real-time
Web information extraction capabilities that
help organizations cost effectively
collect, analyze and distribute
high-volumes of unstruc-
tured Web data. Connotate’s
solution helps individual organiza-
tions detect changes, collect and orga-
nize data from client-targeted Web sources
relevant to specific data needs. Connotate’s
Connotate Inc.
clients rely on real-time data – ranging from
a few hundred to millions of Web pages per
day – and this information powers products
and services from some of the most successful
data-driven companies in the world. Located
in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Connotate
is rapidly expanding both its client base and
employee staff. Clients include large publishing
firms such as McGraw-Hill, Associated Press
and Thomson Reuters, data providers, govern-
ment agencies, financial services firms and
healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.
Most recently, the company gained a new
interim CEO, Thomas Meyer.
Below are a few of Connotate’s exciting high-
lights for FY 2010.
r In August 2010, Connotate’s Agent
Community GEN2™ was recognized by
KMWorld for the 5th consecutive year as a
“Trend-Setting Product.” According to Hugh
McKellar, KMWorld editor-in-chief, “This
year, more than 600 products were assessed
by our judging panel…Connotate’s solu-
tion stands out for being truly accessible to
business users, easy-to-use, resilient and
extremely scalable.”
r In June 2010, Connotate raised $5.25 million
in funding led by 406 Ventures. The company
will use the new capital to increase its prod-
uct offerings and expand sales and marketing
operations to meet the growing demand for
real-time data in key vertical markets.
r In February 2010, Connotate was again
named to KMWorld’s Exclusive List, “100
Companies That Matter in Knowledge
Management.” This marks the 6th con-
secutive year Connotate has been named
to the list, and demonstrates the com-
pany’s continued leadership in knowledge
management.
r Connotate was named to EContent
Magazine’s “Top 100 Companies that Matter
Most to the Digital Content Industry.” The
judges noted product adaptations and in-
novations when selecting Connotate for in-
clusion on the list for 2009 and commented
that “Connotate’s innovative approach to
harvesting and delivering web data is mak-
ing a lasting impact on the digital content
industry…”
r Connotate was recognized by analyst firm
IDC as an Innovative “Information Access
Company Under $100M to Watch.” “IDC
recognized Connotate for its innovative
approach to harvesting and delivering Web
information quickly to its customers in
multiple formats, including targeted alerts,
spreadsheets, data streams and time-series
trending data that can be customized by
each user, and shared with others,” said Sue
Feldman, IDC’s VP for Search and Discovery
technologies.
For more information, visit
www.connotate.com.
Startup Company News Highlights
11. page 11 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
Rutgers licensee, REVA Medical Inc., has
achieved a major milestone in its efforts
to bring its innovative products to market.
Recently the company filed for a $63 mil-
lion Initial Public Offering on the Australian
Stock Exchange. The company previously
raised approximately $57 million in venture
capital funding from groups including Domain
Partners, Saints Capital, Cerberus Capital
Management, Group Outcome, and Brookside
Capital. They have also demonstrated promis-
ing results from ongoing clinical studies. Plans
are being made to apply
for regulatory approvals
in Australia and Europe
before seeking clearance
in the United States. REVA
is targeting the large medical
device market for coronary stents. The market
for metal coronary stents used in patients with
arteries that are more than 50% blocked is
currently in excess of $5.5 billion worldwide.
REVA’s technical advances could substantially
expand this market while addressing a critical
unmet need for cardiac patients.
REVA is one of the leaders in the race
to develop a fully dissolvable or resorbable
cardiac stent. These stents are seen as a great
step forward in cardiac care relative to the
metal stents currently in use. Stents are tiny
mesh tubes that are used to prop open previ-
ously clogged arteries. Many existing stents
can be coated with drugs to prevent a build-up
of scar tissue. Scar tissue can cause a blood
vessel to become re-blocked. However, drug-
coated stents slow the healing process and
carry a higher risk of blood clots that can also
block the vessel. REVA and others in this race
believe that fully dissolvable stents can avoid
these complications. Thus physicians who are
wary of utilizing permanent metal stents in pa-
tients whose arteries are not yet blocked, may
be willing to try a temporary, bioabsorbable
one. The approach is being validated by the
efforts of industry giant Abbott Laboratories.
And while Abbott’s efforts are
beneficial to all competitors in
the field, REVA believes that
its technology has distinct
advantages.
The enabling technology behind REVA’s
lead product, the “ReZolve” stent, is a revolu-
tionary new biomaterial developed in the labo-
ratory of Professor Joachim Kohn at Rutgers
New Jersey Center for Biomaterials. After sev-
eral years of strong research collaboration with
Professor Kohn, and the development of new
intellectual property, REVA and Rutgers re-
cently negotiated and signed a revised license
agreement that will enable REVA to aggres-
sively pursue its commercialization efforts.
For more information, visit
www.teamreva.com.
REVA Medical Inc.
Startup Company News Highlights
12. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 12
Startup Company News Highlights
Strongly encouraged by high schools and col-
leges to make the highly successful Rutgers
Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) system
available to other colleges and universities,
Rutgers created a spinoff company, Scarlet
Computing Solutions, LLC (SCS) in 2009 to
launch STARS (MyStarsRecord.com). STARS is
a product that makes the college application
and review process easier for students who
can now self-report their school transcript
information, including courses, grades, and
summary information such as GPA and rank-
in-class. This product also improves the envi-
ronment by elimi-
nating costly paper
processes. Parents
and guidance coun-
selors no longer have
to wonder whether a
transcript was sent and received successfully
via postal mail.
Admissions application processing and
review have been revolutionized by SRAR,
eliminating tens of thousands of manual
transactions.
Development of the SRAR began in
spring 2008, and went into full production
in September 2008 for the 2009 admissions
cycle. In the first year of use, Rutgers “highly
recommended” using the SRAR, and over
11,000 SRARs were submitted successfully.
By year two (2010 cycle), based on the posi-
tive results from the previous year, Rutgers
“required” applicants to use the SRAR. To date,
there have been over 25,000 received from
first-year applicants. An indirect benefit of
the program is the ability to reallocate staff
previously working on transcript processing to
more strategic tasks.
SCS founder, Dr. Paul Johnson (Rutgers
alumnus of RC, GSNB, and GSE), already has
seen many benefits to Rutgers for this ven-
ture. “Working with other outstanding aca-
demic institutions on STARS has significantly
improved the product by obtaining excellent
recommendations for feature enhancements
which benefit Rutgers, too. Since we are also
learning how to integrate STARS with com-
mercial student information systems such as
Banner and PeopleSoft, Rutgers will have in-
house expertise on connecting other Rutgers
data and systems to our forthcoming com-
mercial student system, which is currently in
the planninganalysis stage.” Paul also praises
Vice President for Enrollment Management,
Courtney McAnuff, as being integral to SRAR/
STARS success. “Courtney has been highly
supportive of innovation such as the SRAR and
has impressed upon enrollment management
colleagues at other universities that they, too,
can improve their operational efficiency via
STARS.”
SRAR/STARS is rapidly advancing in
technology and spreading in the market. Two
important initiatives will take place in AY 2010-
11. The first is pre-college programs at Rutgers,
starting with Rutgers Future Scholars Program,
will be able to track progress and measure
outcomes for their high school students as
early as ninth grade with the SRARSTARS.
The second initiative is that STARS will support
international student (e.g., O-level exams) and
transfer student records. Two major clients
from the SUNY system, Binghamton and Stony
Brook Universities, will be using STARS for this
academic year, and other colleges and uni-
versities have also expressed interest in the
product.
For additional information, please contact SCS
at http://mystarsrecord.com/contact_us.html
or by phone at 732-964-9040.
Scarlet Computing Solutions
13. page 13 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
Silagene Inc. began operations in FY2009
based on an exclusive license to the U1 Adaptor
technology developed by Samuel Gunderson’s
team at Rutgers University. This brand-new
method for silencing genes works via a
completely different mechanism from cur-
rent techniques. To date, gene “silencing” has
been dominated by only a few technologies
that are associated with problems of delivery,
stability, and immune reactivity. The ability to
“switch off” genes in living cells and organisms
is indispensable in the discovery of gene func-
tions, and has been increasingly recognized as
a viable option to treat many genetic diseases.
In addition, combining U1 Adaptors and RNA
interference is a potential dual approach which
could allow these molecular therapies to work
at lower doses.
Silagene, Inc.
Based in Hillsborough, New Jersey,
Silagene received a significant subcontract
from Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) cor-
poration in 2009 to further develop the
technology in tissue culture.
In addition, in the Spring of 2010, Dr.
Gunderson was the first Rutgers re-
cipient of a $200,000 Program Award
from the University City Science Center
QED Proof-of-Concept Program.
Of this award, Silagene received
$77,000 and business advice for one year. The
QED funding will allow Silagene to do in vivo
testing of the U1 Adaptor technology to assess
its therapeutic potential in two projects – tu-
mor suppression and cholesterol reduction.
For more information, visit
www.silagene.com.
TAXIS Pharmaceuticals is focused on the dis-
covery and development of pharmaceuticals
targeting multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial
pathogens. Formed in March 2009 by scien-
tific founders Dr. Edmond LaVoie of Rutgers
University, Dr. Daniel Pilch of The University
of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and
Chief Executive Officer, Gregory G. Mario, the
company has identified new classes of pro-
prietary antibiotic agents that exploit a novel
mechanism of action distinct from any other
antibiotic in clinical use today.
The alarming rise in the number of MDR
bacterial pathogens that have emerged
and spread in recent years has dramatically
reduced the utility of the current arsenal of
antibiotics. Two such MDR pathogens in par-
ticular have been recognized as major threats
to biodefense and global public health, methi-
cillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
The TAXIS team has designed and is in the
process of implementing nine unique series of
chemical compounds targeting the essential
bacterial cell division protein, FtsZ. TAXIS’ fam-
ily of compounds selectively target the FtsZ
protein, thereby inhibiting FtsZ-catalyzed GTP
hydrolysis, FtsZ polymerization, the formation
of FtsZ Z-rings, and cell division, and ultimate-
ly resulting in bacterial cell death.
Taxis has several lead compounds in
pre-clinical stages of de-
velopment, with the goal
of identifying good clinical
candidates for the treatment
of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative
bacterial infections in 2011. The company ex-
pects its first compound to enter clinical trials
in 2012. These agents potentially represent the
first transformational innovation in antibiotic
technology in more than three decades.
For more information, visit
www.taxispharma.com.
TAXIS Pharmaceuticals
Startup Company News Highlights
14. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 14
Since its inception in 1998, TYRX sci-
entists, engineers and marketers have
focused on a singular goal — creating
unique, cost-effective solutions that ad-
dress surgical-site infections (SSIs) and
inflammatory tissue-reaction associated
with implanted medical devices. TYRX,
located in Monmouth Junction, New
Jersey, is an FDA registered, ISO certified
medical device manufacturer of drug-
device combination products utilizing
novel polymer technology, includ-
ing a world-wide license from Rutgers
which covers a broad range of resorbable
materials and drug delivery technology. This
technology was based on the research of Dr.
Joachim Kohn, Board of Governors Professor of
Chemistry.
The com-
pany reached a
major implant
milestone in
FY2010. TYRX
announced in
June that it had
successfully
implanted its
AIGISrx Envelope
device in 10,000
patients in the
United States. The AIGISrx Envelope is an anti-
bacterial mesh technology that securely holds
a pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter
TYRX, Inc.
defibrillator (ICD) in place to create a stable
environment, while delivering antimicrobial
agents, rifampin and minocycline. These anti-
microbial agents have been shown to reduce
infections associated with medical devices in
multiple randomized controlled trials.
“Reaching this 10,000th AIGISrx implant
milestone is a remarkable achievement and
a testament to our team who has worked
tirelessly and enthusiastically to develop this
important technology to address a signifi-
cant clinical need,” said Robert White, TYRX
President and CEO. “Approximately one out
of 50 patients in the U.S. experiences a major
infection problem at a cost of approximately
$50,000 per patient. The AIGISrx Antibacterial
Envelope provides hospitals and clinicians with
a way to improve patient outcomes while re-
ducing the corresponding economic burden.”
For more information, visit www.tyrx.com.
Startup Company News Highlights
15. page 15 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
Established in 2006 with an $18 million grant
from the National Science Foundation (NSF),
the Engineering Research Center for Structured
Organic Particulate Systems (C-SOPS) gener-
ates the science and
technology needed to
develop and manufac-
ture structured organic
particulate systems-
pharmaceutical dosage
forms such as tablets are
a key example. While the
Center’s current focus
is on the pharmaceuti-
cal industry, results
can also be applied to
the food, nutraceutical,
and consumer products
industries among oth-
ers. Rutgers is the lead
institution in the multi-
university consortium
which includes Purdue,
New Jersey Institute
of Technology (NJIT),
and the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.
Professor Fernando Muzzio of Rutgers serves
as the Center director.
The Center has advanced many aspects
of the science and technology necessary for
understanding the structure of formulated
solid dosage forms and their manufacture. The
research program includes controlling how
materials are formed, how manufacturing
processes can be designed, scaled up and opti-
mized, how final products can be characterized
and modeled, and most importantly, how all
of these can be integrated into a continuous
manufacturing system operating in closed loop
Center Profile
The NSF Engineering Research Center for Structured
Organic Particulate Systems (C-SOPS)
control. An indication of the Center’s suc-
cess in research is evidenced by the 36 peer
reviewed publications last year, in addition
to more than 30 other papers, and numer-
ous presentations and
posters at national
meetings.
Close interaction
with industry is a de-
fining characteristic of
C-SOPS. Twenty nine
companies are cur-
rently formal mem-
bers of the Center;
these include end use
formulators (phar-
maceutical, food, and
consumer products
companies) and their
technology suppliers
who provide equip-
ment, instruments,
and software. This
close collaboration
between academia
and industry has enabled rapid advancement
in relevant science and technology. Industrial
mentors provide input which accelerates
progress, while the end user requirements
(voice of the customer) are established at the
beginning and revalidated throughout the
process. Potential commercialization routes
and partners are identified early. The success
and promise of the Center and its industrial
partners has been validated by the award of an
additional $2 million in NSF funding, specifically
to further accelerate the commercialization of
Center technology.
16. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 16
Engaging Companies in Early
Research Corporate Relationship
Development
In an effort to expand the relationship of
the University with Industry, the Rutgers
University Office of the Vice President for
Research and Graduate and Professional
Education has launched the Office of Research
Alliances (ORA) with the mission of providing a
“one-stop concierge service” for industries to
engage Rutgers’ researchers, centers and ca-
pabilities while their research ideas are still be-
ing designed and developed. An important step
in the conversion of Federal State supported
research ideas into commercial products is
technology modification for commercial appli-
cation, such as sponsored research, small scale
animal studies, center memberships col-
laboration, SBIR/STTR grants and other corpo-
rate investments into the University. The ORA
is a gateway for companies to engage with the
University early on in the theoretical stage in
relation to technology transfer/licensing.
When companies seek to collaborate
with Rutgers or utilize Rutgers’ facilities, the
ORA is your first stop to start the discussion.
The ORA serves as part-information center
and part-networking hub for companies who
wish to engage the University. By working in
Office of Research Alliances
collaboration with existing offices, the ORA is a
single-point of contact within the University,
fostering a smooth collaboration between
Industry and the University offices. As Industry
shifts into a more Open Innovation Model,
the ORA’s responsibilities are to transform
the University into an outsourced, fixed RD
partner. As RD projects often take time to
develop, the ORA is able to assist by creating a
pipeline for both Industry and OTC to come to
the negotiation table.
The ORA is comprised of both scientific
experts and seasoned business managers who
understand the needs and speak the language
of both the Rutgers and Industry communi-
ties. Reporting to Richard Mammone Ph.D.,
the Associate Vice President of Corporate
Venture Alliances, the ORA includes Associate
Directors Thomas Richardson Ph.D. and Steven
Ortley with varied experience in private and
public sector. From drug discovery to clean
wind turbines to mobile commerce, their
experience in crossing from University to
Industry will be a valuable resource to Rutgers
and Industry alike. Whether you are a busi-
ness leader in the community or a Rutgers
researcher, the ORA is your new resource to
facilitate early discussions about collaboration
and sponsored projects.
17. page 17 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
Intellectual Property Group
Rutgers faculty had a very active year in
FY2010. The department received 134 new in-
vention disclosures from researchers through-
out the university, a 60% increase from the
previous year. The disclosures were closely
split between life sciences (46 percent) and
physical sciences/engineering disciplines (41
percent). Agriculture technologies accounted
for the remaining 13 percent of new inventions.
To better service our faculty clients, OTC
created a shortened disclosure form, the
Notice of Invention (NOI), to make the first
report of an invention easier for faculty. The
form must be submitted to OTC to preserve
proprietary rights prior to discussing the in-
vention with others, including those who are
interested in possible commercial or sponsored
research partnerships, and prior to any “pub-
lication” of the invention which might jeopar-
dize the University’s ability to obtain a patent
on the invention.
As part of the revised invention disclosure
process, a more detailed patent disclosure
form (pdf) is requested for inventions that
have significant commercial potential. In the
next fiscal year, the department plans to use
an online disclosure form, further streamlining
the invention disclosure process.
Disclosure Activity
Area # of Disclosures
rLife Sciences 61
rPhysical Sciences / Engineering 55
rAgriculture / SEBS 18
134
FY10 Invention Disclosures by Area
41% 13%
46%
18. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 18
Intellectual Property Group
OTC’s Patent Group manages the Intellectual
Property (IP) developed throughout Rutgers
campuses and in conjunction with collabora-
tors outside the university. The majority of
OTC’s IP protection activity is concentrated
on pursuing patents although the department
also handles copyrights and trademarks where
appropriate.
In FY 2010 there was continued growth
in the Rutgers patent portfolio. In FY2010, 55
Provisional U.S. Applications for Patents were
filed; 45 Regular U.S. Applications for Patents
were filed and 26 U.S. Plant and Utility Patents
were issued to Rutgers.
The office’s overall intellectual property
reflects the diversity and innovative research
taking place at the University. Examples of
successfully commercialized Rutgers inven-
tions come from a variety of areas within the
broader classifications of agricultural, life sci-
ences, materials sciences and engineering and
computer sciences disciplines.
In May 2010, the Biennial Patent Awards
Celebration was held to highlight the signifi-
cant contributions made by Rutgers’ inven-
tors in the pursuit of United States patents.
The prestigious event was held at President
Patenting Activity
McCormick’s residence with over 35 honorees
in attendance.
The Patent Group participated in a special
Boot Camp in September 2009 that was of-
fered to faculty, staff and students to educate
them on the process involved in obtaining pat-
ent protection and exploring the role that an
inventor plays in helping secure a patent and
commercialize his technology.
In addition to these activities, significant
steps were taken in the initial migration to
Sophia, a more comprehensive Intellectual
Property database. During fiscal year 2011 we
will be fully implementing this web-based
system which will make it convenient for in-
novators to access and view their intellectual
property portfolio from their office, home or
anywhere they choose. Simple information
requests will be available around the clock.
Another exciting feature of the system is the
ability to enter technology disclosures on-
line. This paperless system will streamline
the process of submitting new innovations to
OTC. Other improvements included updating
internal policies and procedures and pursuing a
robust legal intern and extern program.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Issued US PatentsRegular Patent ApppsProvisional Patent Apps
FY 10FY 09FY 08FY 07FY 06FY 05FY 04FY 03FY 02FY 01
U.S. Applications Issued and Applications Filed by Fiscal Year r Provisional Patent Applications
r Regular Patent Applications
r Issued US Patents
19. page 19 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
Corporate Contracts Group
In spite of the prolonged recession, Corporate
Contracts experienced another record year
in the number of contractual transactions
processed in fiscal year 2010. Building on
last year’s record-setting number of 1,013
documents, in the 2010 fiscal year the group
processed 1,149 transactions (a 13% increase).
Corporate Funding amounts also increased
significantly during the same period. The $18.8
million in funding received in fiscal year 2010
represents a 10.5% increase from FY2009
figures of $17.0 million.
Corporate Contracts is an integral
component of the Office of Technology
Commercialization. The group is responsible for
reviewing, drafting, negotiating and signing in-
dustrial-sponsored research and service proj-
ects. The types of contracts processed by the
Corporate Contracts group includes research,
service, collaboration, inter-institutional,
master, SBIR/STTR and other special agree-
ments. In addition, Corporate Contracts has the
overall responsibility for material transfer and
confidentiality agreements regardless of the
other contracting entity (non-profit, govern-
ment, and for-profit corporations).
A new initiative within the department
included the implementation of a fully auto-
mated material transfer and confidentiality
agreement processing system called EchoSign
that includes electronic signature capabil-
ity. The impetus for this new system was to
improve turnaround time.
Corporate Contracts Activity
Contract success stories in fiscal year 2010
include:
r $1.2MM for continuation of research with a
young materials company
r A $597K subcontract from a NJ-based prime
contractor
r $541K for continuation of research with a
small pharmaceutical company
r A $300K AARA funded subcontract from a
mid-sized high-technology company
r A $236K service agreement with a large utility
corporation
0
5
10
15
20
25
FY 10FY 09FY 08FY 07FY 06FY 05FY 04FY 03FY 02FY 01
Dollars(Millions)
16.7 17.0
18.9
14.3
20.3
21.0
24.8
16.1
17.0
18.8
Corporate Funding by Fiscal Year
20. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 20
Technology Licensing Group
Finding a potential licensee for the many
technologies OTC receives is one of the most
challenging and important tasks we have.
The licensing group is responsible not only for
reviewing invention disclosures and assisting
with patenting decisions but also for identify-
ing potential licensees, drafting term sheets
and licenses, negotiating options, licenses, and
other agreements with qualified candidates
and assisting in starting spin-off companies,
when appropriate.
A license agreement grants the right
to use some of the University’s intellectual
property. This is in exchange for the licensee’s
commitment to provide the resources required
for further development and commercializa-
tion of the invention and to pay the University
appropriate compensation. Depending on the
technology and its market potential, either an
exclusive or a nonexclusive license may be
offered. In addition to generating royalty in-
come, technology licensing provides University
researchers with additional funds for research
and development.
In FY 2010, OTC received $8.7 million
in licensing revenue, an increase from the
$8.1 million received in FY2009. An addi-
tional $224,000 in equity was received by the
department. There was a significant amount
of new licensing activity last year and as a
result, 80 licenses, options and comparable
agreements were executed in FY2010, a 30%
increase from the previous year.
Technology Licensing
0
20
40
60
80
100
FY 10FY 09FY 08FY 07FY 06FY 05FY 04FY 03FY 02FY 01
42
15
19
25 26
35
72
96
63
82
0
2
4
6
8
10
Equity Holdings License Revenue
FY 10FY 09FY 08FY 07FY 06FY 05FY 04FY 03FY 02FY 01
$4.8
$0.5
$4.0
$0.6
$5.1
$5.4
$2.2
$4.3
$2.2
$5.7
$1.6
$1.1
$7.7
$8.1 $8.1
$0.5 $0.3 $0.0
$8.7
$0.2
Licenses and Options Executed by Fiscal Year
FY 2010 Licenses and Options Executed
by Area
Annual Licensing Revenue and Equity
Holdings*
Area # of Agreements
rCranberries 30
rDogwood-Holly 16
rBiomed-Pharma 9
rIT 6
rOther Fruit 5
rEnergy-Environment 4
rMaterials 4
rMisc. 4
rElectronics-Instruments 2
80
37% 20%
11%
8%
6%
5%
5%
3%
5%
21. page 21 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
Department Highlights
Venture Forum/Faculty Fast
Pitch Fair
As a sequel to the prior year’s Entrepreneurship
Day, Rutgers OTC hosted its first Venture
Forum/Faculty Fast Pitch Fair. Over 30 aca-
demic entrepreneurs from the leading NJ
Research Universities ( NJIT, Princeton, Rutgers
and the University of Medicine and Dentistry)
pitched some of the most exciting technolo-
gies to investors to obtain early stage fund-
ing. Technology Areas include: Biomedical
Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Materials
Science, Pharmacology, Stem Cells, Computer
Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chem
ical Engineering, Nanotechnology and more.
Over 250 attendees heard the wisdom
of Keynote speaker Mir Imran, Inventor and
Entrepreneur, and listened on the Panel –
What do investors really want? Other high-
lights included a talk on small Business
Innovation and Research Grants (SBIRs) by
Errol Arkilic, Ph.D a director at the National
Science Foundation; and a Poster an Investor/
Inventor Networking Session.
Venture Events
In June 2010 Brad Feld, a prominent VC from
the Boston-based Foundry Group came to
Rutgers to view presentations, demonstrations
and laboratory tours for three Rutgers profes-
sors working in the field of Human Computer
Interaction. The event was organized with
the help of Michael Wiley of the New Jersey
Economic Development Authority. A continu-
ing series of venture events are scheduled in
the coming year to showcase Rutgers start-up
companies and most promising technologies
and assist them with obtaining early stage
funding.
Other venture events were held including
a visit by KEG Capital who reviewed technolo-
gies in a variety of disciplines.
Company Visits
Thoroughout the year, OTC hosts company
meetings to showcase a small group of tech-
nologies to biotech and pharmaceutical com-
panies in the hopes of creating commercializa-
tion partnerships. There were numerous visits
to and by companies in 2009 including Merck,
Quest Diagnostics, Roche, Teva, Jerini, Provid,
JJ, Genzyme, Pfizer, SP. NovoNordisk, BMS,
and Novartis to name a few.
Rutgers University Technology
Commercialization Fund (RU TCF)
In partnership with Johnson and Johnson,
The Rutgers University Technology
Commercialization Fund was created to
advance the commercial potential of Rutgers
technology. The goal of the fund is to make
it more likely that Rutgers inventions will
be licensed to existing companies or serve
as the basis for new companies funded by
equity investors or SBIR funds. The Technology
Commercialization Fund attempts to bridge
the “valley of death” for technologies where
research funding ends but the technology has
not proven its value for commercialization.
In FY2010, 11 inventors had projects fund-
ed. Grants with direct costs of up to $50,000
were awarded for each qualified project to be
used within a period of six months from the
date of the award. A total of $410,000 was
awarded last year.
Collaboration with NJ and
National Associations
OTC team members collaborate with many dif-
ferent local and regional accociations includ-
ing the New Jersey Economic Development
Authority (NJEDA), NJ Jumpstart, BioNJ, the
RD Council of NJ, Bio International, and
the Association of University Technology
Managers (AUTM). Members also attend in-
dustry events to showcase our technologies
and to gain valuable insight into ways Rutgers
can increase its partnership with businesses
throughout the country.
22. Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010 page 22
About the Office of Technology Commercialization
Every day students and faculty at Rutgers,
The State University of New Jersey are
creating new discoveries and technology in
numerous disciplines including agriculture,
engineering, computing, physical sciences,
energy, life sciences and pharmaceuticals.
The Office of Technology Commercialization
(OTC) turns Rutgers academic discoveries into
commercial successes.
Our offices serves as a bridge between
Rutgers researchers and commercializa-
tion partners, ensuring the smooth and fast
transfer of intellectual property created at
the University. During the commercialization
process, we provide patenting, marketing,
licensing, start-up company formation and
other commercialization support to our stu-
dent and faculty researchers at three cam-
puses throughout New Jersey. Our Industrial
Agreements area, a unit within OTC, is
responsible for reviewing, drafting, negotiat
ing and signing industry sponsored contracts
of many types.
Who is the OTC?
Specifically, we:
r Negotiate research contracts, patent licenses
and various other types of agreements
r Transfer the inventions of Rutgers faculty
into practical applications, via licenses and
start-up companies so that they benefit so-
ciety on a local, national and global basis
r Protect intellectual property via trademarks,
copyrights and patents
r Market technologies to companies, entrepre-
neurs and investors via numerous channels
r Assist in start-up company creation
r Educate and serve as a resource for the
Rutgers community on matters relating to
intellectual property, technology commer-
cialization and entrepreneurship.
In pursuit of our objectives, Rutgers,
the flagship comprehensive public research
university, has maintained an active industrial
agreements, patenting and technology com-
mercialization program for over 20 years. Meet
our team members below.
23. page 23 Office of technology commercialization r Annual Report 2009-2010
OTC Director:
Executive Director - Dipanjan Nag w
Office Manager - Katie Alter 5
OTC Operations:
Director of Operations - Andrew Wooten -
New Ventures:
Director - Yair Harel r
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Technologies:
Assistant Director – Rick Smith 0
Biomedical Technologies:
Assistant Director - Shrijay Vijayan 9
Licensing and Business Development Manager -
Reza Razavi*
Going forward there are several new initia-
tives in the works at OTC which will benefit the
faculty and the Rutgers community at large. As
mentioned previously, during fiscal year 2011
we will be fully implementing the new intellec-
tual property database, Sophia by Wellspring.
Also in progress is an initiative to improve
the technology marketing process by imple-
menting two new tools. The first tool is a new
competetive intelligence search engine for
generating marketing leads called ZoomInfo.
SalesForce.com, a well known web-based
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
system, is the second tool. Sales Force assists
in managing customer interactions from the
initial lead through the close of a transac-
tion. Together these systems will facilitate an
industrial-strength marketing program.
To assist in the identification of commer-
cially viable technologies, OTC will be institut-
A Look Ahead
Agriculture/SEBS/NJAES Technologies:
Assistant Director, Licensing Technology, SEBS -
Leon Segal 2
Administrative Assistant - Patricia Bzdek*
Industrial Agreements:
Associate Director - Charles Wyckoff 7
Contract Manager - Thomas Zambito q
Contract Grant Assistant - Marian Monahan 6
Contract Negotiator - Melissa Matsil 1
Marketing and Communications:
Marketing - Lori Dars 4
Patents/Intellectual Property:
Intellectual Property Manager - Dorian Grumet*
Intellectual Property Manager - Cindy Hanna e
Interns – Jonathan Kwok3 and Michael D’Ecclessis*
Business Administration for OVPR:
Executive Director of Business Administration -
Heidi Szymanski*
Accountant - Wael Hanna 8
Assistant – Sajel Patel =
*- Not available for photograph
ing two industrial review boards, one for life
sciences and one for physical sciences. These
boards consist of respected leaders in a broad
cross-section of industries which correlate
with Rutgers’ research competencies. In addi-
tion to valuable input, they are also a wonder-
ful source of contacts for commercial partners.
As a service to Rutgers and of benefit to
OTC, we are placing more emphasis on the
student internship programs. We are making
use of students across the disciplines of law,
business and science to assist in many facets
of OTC’s everyday activities. These students
gain real-world experience in their specialties
which can be invaluable in the competitive job
markets. Students assist OTC professionals in
projects including technology assessments,
intellectual property protection, contract ne-
gotiations, marketing, licensing, new venture
creation and systems integration.
About the Office of Technology Commercialization
2 34 5 6 7 8 9 0 -
= q w e r
1
24. Office of Technology Commmercialization
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
ASB III, 3 Rutgers Plaza
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
Office: 732 932 0115
Fax: 732 932 0146
http://otc.rutgers.edu
Report Credits:
Editor: Lori Dars
Contributing Writer: Michael D’Ecclessis (Ph.D. 2013)
Photography (pages 2 and 22): Jennifer Miguel-Hellman (class of 2012)
Design: Bruce Colthart Creative LLC