Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer The Innovation Enterprise An Academic Perspective Linton Salmon Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Radical Innovation Value Cost Without Radical Innovation With Radical Innovation

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Role of Research Universities Two of the missions of research intensive universities are critical to the innovation enterprise: education and discovery Education of students –Preparation with a strong technical foundation –Exposure to new ideas novel approaches Discovery –Concentration on understanding-driven research –Open dissemination of results –Rigorous, competitive selection processes

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Understanding-Driven Research Understanding-driven research is critical to the innovation enterprise Examples –Recombinant DNA –The microprocessor –The internet Recognized cause for current economic boom –Increase in productivity –Vibrancy of new industries –Ability to compete in a global economy

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer The Innovation Enterprise As An Automobile a poorly drawn one at that Manufacturing Execution Continuous Improvement Idea or Concept Validation of Idea Evaluation of Potential Production Capability Development of a Market

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Commercialization Research universities are an “engine” for economic growth and a source of new knowledge –Fertile ground for new ideas –Educate workers comfortable with new technology –Focused on research involving revolutionary concepts –Funded with a mandate to benefit society So if research universities are such a great engine, why isn’t our Corvette smoking down the track? –Engines must be properly designed and tuned –My car needs more than just an engine!

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Commercialization of innovation is complicated and hard to “tune”! UNIVERSITY MISSION OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH SPONSORED RESEARCH AGREEMENTS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS RESEARCH PROJECTS RESULTS NEW KNOWLEDGE NEW TECHNOLOGY EDUCATED STUDENTS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER COMMERCIALIZATION ACTIVITIES RESULTS FUNDING FOR UNIVERSITY RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES ECONOMIC IMPACT After R. Savinell

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Commercialization Partners University Government And there are lots of players with different goals!! Profit Cornered Markets Publication Reputation Jobs Distribution Commercialization Ideas Education of Students Economic Development Improvement of Life

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Barriers to Commercialization Universities Poor understanding of the industrial environment –Lack of understanding of the need for speed –Unrealistic evaluation of the work of commercialization Need to protect education and discovery missions Susceptibility to litigation –Lack of revenue to offset liability –Deep pockets of endowments Lack of flexibility in the system –Government regulations –Protection of multiple, independent participants

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Barriers to Commercialization Industry Poor understanding of the nature of academe –Poor understanding of its financial imperatives Funding for research Funding for commercialization activities –Desire to overlook the importance of student education View of university as a “vendor” not a “partner” –“Purchase” agreements for research –University seen as a source of “contract research” Lack of “industrial” role in education Difficulty in funding early, risky stages of the research/product process

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer Approach of Universities Fulfill academic mission –Educate world class researchers –Produce world class research Facilitate commercialization of technology –Educate and support faculty and students –Interact more effectively with industrial partners –Provide clear policies and procedures Work with intermediaries to span the “chasm” between discovery and products

Case Western Reserve University Research and Technology Transfer A Perspective Case Western Reserve University seeks to provide commercialization partners with facilitated access to research discoveries generated by world-class researchers. We seek to be a place where the creativity and skills of interested faculty and students are connected with the drive of the market place to foster new products that benefit society and to launch new industries that power economic development. The University seeks partnerships that use its strengths of open-inquiry driven research and education to compliment the strengths of industry and transfer technology to Northeast Ohio, the nation, and the world. These partnerships will be based on shared goals of the improvement of life, economic growth, and development of a qualified workforce. They will be partnerships that promote the mission of the University by providing a conduit for dissemination of University discovery, resources for world-class research, and essential research collaborations while promoting the needs of companies through access to new ideas generated by world-class research and to graduates that can utilize those ideas to achieve commercial success.