TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: ENGINE OF INNOVATION
Innovations developed at research institutions lead to significant revenue generation through patenting of novel technologies, out-licensing, royalties and university-backed start ups. However, many postdocs are unfamiliar with the role that their institution’s tech transfer office plays in the potential commercialization of academic research. This panel will discuss the roles that a technology transfer office plays in identifying commercializable technologies, patenting, in- and out-licensing, and business development. Best practices during the commercialization process will also be discussed.
Alexander D. Augst
ASSOCIATE AT CHOATE, HALL & STEWART LLP
Alexander Augst advises clients in a wide variety of IP matters with a focus on procurement and commercialization of patent portfolios in a broad range of biomedical technologies. His background in academic technology transfer and his previous experience gained at an international law firm provide him with a deep understanding of the needs of a variety of clients, from academic institutions to start-ups and large corporations.
Lauren Foster
Associate Director, MIT Technology Licensing Office Director of IP and Strategic Alliances at KOCH INSTITUTE
Lauren C. Foster is the Assistant Director of M.I.T.'s Technology Licensing Office, focusing principally on licensing and commercialization of technologies in the biomedical, biotechnology and medical device fields. She also serves as Director of Intellectual Property and Strategic Alliances at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at M.I.T. where she is involved in the strategic management of the Koch Institute’s industrial partnerships and intellectual property portfolio. Prior to joining M.I.T., Lauren was Senior Director, IP and Technology Acquisition at Antigenics, Inc., a public biotechnology company, where she played an integral role in envisioning and implementing the company’s business, intellectual property and technology strategies. Lauren was also a Technical Specialist at the law firm Lahive & Cockfield LLP where she focused on strategic development of intellectual property rights for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and universities. Ms. Foster holds a D.Sc. from Harvard University and a B.S. from Haverford College, and is a registered Patent Agent.
Kathryn McCabe
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT-EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION at ELI LILLY
Katy directly engages with the Cambridge innovation ecosystem with a focus on early discovery to help grow new therapeutics. She works with strategic limited partner Venture Capital firms to recommend and vet new companies, searches and evaluates in-licensing opportunities, connects directly companies in incubators such as Lab Central, and scouts new collaborations for Lilly R&D. Prior to joining Lilly, Katy led technical and strategic assessments for partnerships, acquisitions, and company strategy across Gene Therapy, Immunology, Oncology, and Hematology at Baxalta. At GlaxoSmithKline, Katy directed 3 high profile academic/industry collaborations at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute in neurodegeneration (now in PhII clinical trial), retinal disease, and muscle regeneration. At Advanced Cell Technology (now Astellas), Katy was the Director of Preclinical Ocular Program where she managed a small team of senior scientists to generate stem cell derived products for the treatment of ocular diseases.
Adam Poulin-Kerstein
PATENT ATTORNEY II AT NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Adam Poulin-Kerstien is currently a patent attorney at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research. Adam obtained his B.A. in chemistry from Amherst College and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology, working in the lab of Dr. Peter Dervan on DNA-binding pyrrole/imidazole polyamides. After completing his graduate work, Adam obtained a J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining Novartis, Adam worked as a patent attorney in private practice.