Tech Transfer for Biotech: How to Turn Your University Into Your First Backer

Turning a discovery into a company starts long before a term sheet. Your tech transfer office is the first stop for protecting IP, setting up Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and sponsored research, and finding the right industry partner, without jeopardizing patent rights through premature disclosure. Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Janis Paradiso explains how her team supports researchers from first idea to commercialization.

Paradiso, the Director of the Office of Biotechnology and Business Development, works with researchers as they move from early discovery toward commercialization.

“We’re working on the full spectrum of innovation and managing intellectual-property assets on campus,” she said. “We’re getting people at the very early stages when they just want to conduct research and have never thought about an invention, all the way to submitting an invention disclosure and hopefully getting a partner interested.”

The office includes nine people with varied backgrounds. Those with PhD-level training meet with researchers to assess the science and work on sponsored research agreements and material transfer agreements.

“It’s helpful to know more of the science and to speak to the researcher from that perspective rather than just offering business knowledge. We’re not getting into the nitty-gritty of what they do,” Paradiso said.

A lawyer in the office manages intellectual-property protection and works with patent counsel on strategy.

“We are the liaison between the researcher and those drafting the patent application,” Paradiso said.

Administrative staff manage processes and finances.

“While we do transactions, we shouldn’t be viewed as strictly transactional. We should be viewed as strategic partners who help researchers on the business side to make sure their science gets to where it can benefit the most people,” she said.

Paradiso spoke with Cure about how her office supports researchers.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

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How does your office help researchers prior to innovation?

We manage the full spectrum of innovation and intellectual-property assets. That ranges from the very early stages of a research project or postdoc to needing material from a third party or from an academic collaborator. We work on material transfer agreements and collaboration agreements, and if an industry partner is interested in sponsoring research in the lab, we manage the industry-sponsored research agreement.

What Happens Once There’s an Invention?

Once there is an invention, we solicit an invention disclosure; it gets reviewed and assessed. If Einstein decides to pursue intellectual-property protection, we work with outside IP counsel. Then we market the technology, work with the investigator, and—if a partner is interested—negotiate and execute the license and handle post-agreement management.

What are Some Common Misconceptions About This Process?

Researchers often think “if this is of interest, industry will find me.” Sometimes that happens, but there is so much information in circulation that working with our office helps amplify the research.

Another common misconception is that it’s too early to talk about tech transfer. Keep us informed early! Once there’s any public disclosure—including an abstract, poster presentation, journal publication, or even a preprint—you may jeopardize your intellectual-property rights. We also coordinate with the communications team; sometimes researchers tell communications about a paper and forget to tell us.

And another area that often needs improvement is the description of the product or technology. Be clear and specific about the innovation, with supporting data. Many scientists are building on prior knowledge; if the goal was to target X, where is the proof that you targeted X?

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Can you share an example of how you helped a researcher connect with a partner?

Xingxing Zang, PhD, whose research focuses on developing novel immune checkpoint inhibitors, has had a long-standing relationship with our office. Dr. Zang is an international leader in developing new immunotherapies and is the inaugural director of the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Institute for Immunotherapy for Cancer and Inflammatory Disorders.

From the early days of his Works in Progress presentations at Einstein, our case managers recognized the potential of his work. They met with Dr. Zang several times over the years to understand the value proposition of his checkpoint inhibitors and how they compared with existing research and standards of care.

With this foundation, our office facilitated conversations with major pharmaceutical companies and investment groups interested in launching startups. One such connection stemmed from a long-standing relationship with an Einstein alumna who had held roles in both big pharma and venture capital. When she encountered Dr. Zang’s approach, she found it compelling and made a warm introduction to the venture firm where she worked.

That introduction led to deeper diligence discussions, resulting in the formation of a startup company—Dr. Zang’s third while at Einstein—which was funded by the VC firm and is now actively conducting clinical trials.

Key Takeaways From the Zang Collaboration

• This success didn’t happen overnight. • The relationship with the alumna was cultivated over many years before the warm introduction occurred. • Dr. Zang had previously disclosed other technologies to our office, and we had multiple discussions with third parties to get feedback and understand potential applications. • Building a strong, collaborative relationship with Dr. Zang has been highly rewarding.