Progress Report: Using Intercollege Student Teams for Market-Pull Technology Commercialization

1. Progress Report: Using Intercollege Student Teams for Market-Pull Technology Commercialization NCIIA Conference March 2004 Liz Kisenwether Chintan ParekhEnobong Ekanem Brian Salo Penn State University

2. NCIIA Course Grant benefits innovators, Tech Transfer Office and students • Lack of appropriate processes reflected in poor performance of technology transfer • Market-Pull Technology Commercialization course providing concrete suggestions for improvements • Strong indications of rapid future improvements in technology transfer and innovation

3. NCIIA Course Grant benefits innovators, Tech Transfer Office and students • Lack of appropriate processes reflected in poor performance of technology transfer • Market-Pull Technology Commercialization course gave concrete suggestions for improvements • Strong indications of rapid future improvements in technology transfer and innovation

4. Lack of appropriate processes reflected in poor performance of technology transfer For 2003:

5. Lack of appropriate processes reflected in poor performance of technology transfer Penn State /Univ. Park TTO • Disadvantages: • No faculty or students involved • Conflicting interests of inventor, • company and lawyers • Innovators create non-optimal alliances • Poor turnaround of innovative ideas • Questionable ROI • Technology push model Past model for Tech Transfer Innovators

7. NCIIA Course Grant benefits innovators, Tech Transfer Office and students • Lack of appropriate processes reflected in poor performance of technology transfer • Market-Pull Technology Commercialization course gave concrete suggestions for improvements • Strong indications of rapid future improvements in technology transfer and innovation

8. Fall 2003 BA/ENGR497E Penn State /Univ. Park TTO Smeal College of Business College of Eng. BA/ENGR 497E Chest Brace Neonate tube support device Dr. Charles Palmer Hershey Medical Center

9. Fall 2003 • Two inventions by Dr. Charles Palmer • Chest Brace • Neonate tube support device • Intellectual Property Issues • Students must assign IP to Penn State • Secrecy agreement required by licensee • Team “mix” • Team 1 – Neonate Tube (6 students: 2 engineering, 2 business, 1 liberal arts, 1 science) • Team 2 – Neonate Tube (6 students: 2 engineering, 3 business, 1 science) • Team 3 - Chest Brace (6 students: 4 engineering, 2 business) • Team 4 – Chest Brace (7 students: 4 engineering, 3 business)

10. Fall 2003 Results and Recommendations • Both Neonate Tube teams: • value of device lower than stated assumptions….may not be highly marketable • Both Chest Brace teams: • Complete FDA approval ASAP; high product need and value • Resolve license issues between PSU and licensee • Recommendations for PSU: • Educate researchers on design/development record keeping (required by FDA) • Develop on-line TT training for researchers; must complete “mini-course” to get full TTO support • Choose “younger” inventions for course focus…patent-pending but no licenses/options • Student learning: • Primary Market research is KEY…. The users/buyers know the real issues. Start early!

11. Spring 2004 TTO Smeal College of Business College of Eng. BA/ENGR 497E Penn State/Univ. Park College of Engineering Minimally Invasive Surgical Tool Work Piece Holder (LAAG) Dr. Mary Frecker - ME Dr. Ed De Meter - IE

12. Spring 2004 – BA/ENGR497E • Two inventions • LAAG (Dr. De Meter) • MIS (Dr. Frecker) • Inventions are “younger” • Intellectual Property Issues for students • Assignment of IP to Penn State

13. Spring 2004 – progress to date • Teams formed in week 4 (rather than week 6) • Primary Market research already underway • Mid-semester progress presentations to inventors, TTO • Develop good non-confidential “teasers” • FDA Device approval issues for MIS • Assessment underway (human subjects approval) • Pre- and post-course assessment of student gains in knowledge, skills, attitudes • Focus groups (2) • Data collection through Spring 2005

15. NCIIA Course Grant benefits innovators, Tech Transfer Office and students • Lack of appropriate processes reflected in poor performance of technology transfer • Market-Pull Technology Commercialization course gave concrete suggestions for improvements • Strong indications of rapid future improvements in technology transfer and innovation

16. Future Plans/Goals • Develop CD-ROM with key TT and commercialization materials • Provide to other colleges/universities • Consistency across sections and different faculty • Develop ways to improve Course scalability • Demonstrate value of undergraduate student teams to TTO and VP Research • ROI >> 0.6%! • institutionalize course

17. Benefits from this NCIIA course grant • Valuable learning experience for undergraduate students • problem-based learning at it’s best! • Definitive feedback and suggestions for TTO • Inventors benefit from student’s market research, cost/benefit analysis and financial modeling • Supports Penn State’s shift to entrepreneurial mindset

18. Student Comments & Observations • Fall 2003 – Enobong Ekanem (Finance Major) • Spring 2004 – Brian Salo (IE Major)

19. Thank you - - - any questions?