Technology Transfer and Licensing
DISCOVERIES MAKING AN IMPACT
Plant research is in our DNA, and we take great pride in the broader impact our researchers are having on society
TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING
Every technology selected for licensing offers a true value proposition to your company.
START-UP CREATION
Do you have an entrepreneurial mind and an exciting new technology? The New Business Development Task Force provides guidance and resources to help you succeed.
RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHERS
Read more about protecting Intellectual Property, funding translational research and MTAs.
Discoveries Making an Impact
• Vaccine and other protein production in insect cell lines
• Natural small molecules in plant and human health
• Plant disease resistance
• Plant and bacterial proteins in innate and effector-triggered immunity
• Salicylic acid pathway for systemic acquired resistance
• Plant insect resistance—plant genes and small signaling molecules
• Plant-based vaccines
BTI, home of the HighFive™ cell lines.
Dr. Robert Granados was looking for ways to defend crops from the Cabbage Looper. During his research he made an unexpected discovery. The HighFive cell line and newer sub-clones free of nodavirus are a popular tool for recombinant protein production.
BTI is the exclusive owner of the proprietary HighFive cell line and related sub-clones. Contact us to inquire about cell lines available for testing and request commercial-use licenses
Technologies Available for Licensing
INSECT CELL LINES FOR PROTEIN PRODUCTION
- BTI is the exclusive owner of the HighFive cell line
- HighFive and related virus-free cell lines (Tnao38; Tnms42) are ideal for effective recombinant protein expression
- The virus-free cell lineTnms42-sf was adapted to serum-free growth in large bioreactors
INCREASED RESISTANCE TO ABIOTIC STRESS IN CORN
- Engineered corn confers increased Rubisco content, increased growth, and resistance to drought and cold
INCREASED RESISTANCE TO BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN PLANTS
- The Pt1 technology can be used to confer resistance to bacterial speck, wilt and spot disease in tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, tobacco plants.
- The technology can be applied using a cisgenic approach, editing of pseudogene or plant breeding
- Licensing opportunity for human and animal use
Resources for Researchers
Protecting Your Intellectual Property
STEP 1 – YOU HAVE MADE A DISCOVERY WITH TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL?
CONTACT THE TECH TRANSFER OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Download a pre-disclosure form here.
Avoid public disclosures from that point on (What is prior art?)
How much data do I need? Scientific fields may be divided into “unpredictable” and “predictable” arts. The degree of required disclosure is commensurate with the perceived degree of predictability in the field of your invention. There is no general requirement that working examples or experimental data must be disclosed, but they can reduce concerns regarding predictability and sometimes may be necessary.
STEP 2 – TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION
You will work with the Technology Transfer Office to:
- Determine the best approach to protect your discovery
- Identify the commercial potential of your discovery
- Review translational R&D funding options
- Discuss out-licensing options and startup creation
STEP 3 – PROTECTING YOUR DISCOVERY
The Technology Transfer Office will take the lead to support the translational process, but you will be actively involved in the process. It starts with protecting your discovery.
If the translational process is moving forward, download a disclosure form here.
Additional Resources
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/35
https://henry.law/blog/what-is-prior-art/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-020-0447-x
Funding Your Translational Research
Small business grants
SBIR/STTR grants represent a flexible and well funded program that can help your startup or help you partner with a small business.
Technologies that are still at a very early stage, as well technologies that may never generate high profits but would otherwise benefit society (e.g., environmental or ecological benefits) struggle to attract investors. The SBIR/STTR program can support these technologies.
Please contact the Technology Transfer Office for more information.
Industry grants
Material Transfer Agreements
When Requesting Materials
- Forward the MTA provided to you to BTI’s Technology Transfer Office for review
- The MTA is for your lab use only – do not share the material outside your lab
- Be sure to acknowledge providers in your publications
When Shipping Materials
Ask your Project Leader to contact the Technology Transfer Office if any of these apply:
- The material is shipping to a for-profit organization
- The material is covered by a patent or has commercial value
- The material is potentially harmful to humans or the environment
- The material could be used in animals or humans
- The material is licensed or under an in-coming MTA
Who signs MTAs?
BTI Scientist = Project Leader
Authorized Official = please contact the Technology Transfer Office
Start-up Creation
How BTI supports the creation of start-ups interested in licensing BTI technologies:
Protecting Intellectual Property
Technology Review
Business Planning
funding Strategy
Connecting with Local & Regional Resources
Contact BTI’s Director of New Business Development for more information.
Current Ventures
Location: Pasadena, CA
CEO: Andrea Choe, PhD
Key Technology: Small compounds against auto-immune diseases and diabetes.
Location: McGovern Center, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
CEO: Jay Farmer, PhD
Key Technology: Small compounds promoting plant growth and enhancing plant immunity
Website: https://ascribebioscience.wordpress.com/
Contact
