Criticism from academics and industry, and fewer deals being made: What's going on?
By Ed Silverman
Barry Merriman says he wants nothing to do with his university's technology transfer office. About three years ago, the researcher in the human genetics department at the University of California, Los Angeles, had developed a biochip that he believed held commercial promise. But when he tried to convince the school's tech transfer office (TTO) to proceed, he ran into a proverbial brick wall. Although he had spoken with representatives from a few corporations that had expressed interest in pursuing the technology, the university wasn't willing to move quickly.
Instead, he says, the TTO failed to recognize the potential value, balked at the cost of filing a patent application, and didn't pursue any leads, which ended up scuttling a chance to cut a licensing deal with a company. "It was a very discouraging process. We ...
