About Us > Overview

The Center for Technology Development is charged with the management of The University of Texas Medical Branch’s Intellectual property assets, while promoting and encouraging scientific research.

Day to Day business services in the Center for Technology Development include:

Intellectual Property Management
Invention identification and disclosure facilitation, selection of appropriate protection type (Patent, Trademark, Trade Secrets, Copyright, know-how, etc.), commercialization and patentability assessments, commercialization development plans and implementation, UTMB committee administration, interaction with external advisors and patent counsel, agreement compliance monitoring, receipt and distribution of royalty receipts and patent expenditures.

Marketing and Licensing of University Intellectual Property
Invention disclosure market assessments, monitoring conditions and changes to the various market segments, preparation and distribution of technology listings for industry review, active identification of industrial licensee’s, partners and collaborators, representation at local and regional technology transfer and commercialization seminars/workshops. Drafting and negotiation of appropriate Material Transfer, Confidential Disclosure, License, Option and Sponsored Research Agreements.

Sponsored Research Agreements with Industry
Drafting and negotiation of “ Sponsored Research Agreements” (no clinical protocols) funded by the industry, this includes SBIR/STTR grant applications.

Commercialization
Identifying competing and complementary technologies of interest, assisting in business plan development, establishing new business entities or vehicles for technology transfer, management of the CTD business incubator facility.

Business Development and Collaboration
Identification of commercial partners, cultivation of industrial relationships, introductions for start-up companies to corporate and venture capital personnel.

Training and Workshops
Training and education provided by both internal and external constituents regarding intellectual property, associated protection, management, policy and procedure development and facilitation. Provide guidance and updates on changes concerning intellectual property.