Position Summary

The Officer of Business Development and Technology Transfer (BDTT) reports to the Director of BDTT. This organized and collaborative individual will be responsible for (1) building and maintaining relationships with our Principal Investigators, (2) identifying and assessing new Intellectual Property (IP), (3) managing patents and other Intellectual Property with the assistance of external counsel, (4) marketing TLI’s IP assets and (5) negotiating contracts such as MTAs, CDAs, inter-institutional agreements, options, and licenses. Additional duties may be assigned by Director as needed.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• BS degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology or a related life sciences field required
• MS or PhD in a similar field of study highly desired
• Must have the ability to read legal documents quickly with an eye for detail
• 3-4 years in a Technology Transfer setting preferred; 1-2 years minimum in a business development or licensing role
• Understanding of the drug development and medical device and commercialization process from invention to development and commercialization
• Expertise in licensing contract structure and components; understanding of current practices and negotiating business terms between a Technology Transfer Office and licensees or start-ups
• Understanding of the components and ability to negotiate material transfer agreements, confidential disclosure agreements, inter-institutional agreements, and sponsored research agreements
• Clear understanding of the process of intellectual property development, including patents, copyrights and trademarks
• Clear understanding of biological processes in normal and disease states, including familiarity with scientific terminology
• Must have effective interpersonal skills – ability to interact with variety of personality styles and diverse backgrounds

Description of Duties

• IP Prosecution: Assist with determining the commercial and patentability of new invention disclosures. In coordination with external counsel, monitor patent deadlines and file patent applications; provide guidance to counsel to respond to office actions (meet with investigators and attorneys to discuss as needed).
• IP cultivation: Increase the number of invention disclosures by proactively meeting with investigators to uncover new potential IP and following through to ensure new invention disclosures are presented. Actively monitor TLI’s publications for potential IP.
• Marketing of assets: Assist with commercialization outreach for TLI’s IP assets by seeking, identifying and attending meetings with companies, VC’s, angel investors and other interested parties. Create marketing materials including company outreach lists, technology descriptions, and slide decks.
• Agreements and contracts: Execute option and license agreements, CDAs, MTAs and SRAs; provide business feedback and proposed commercial terms in line with TLI’s historical practices. Manage agreements to ensure milestones and terms are being met.
• Bi-monthly patent committee meetings: Organize meetings and associated documents, such as agenda and minutes. Take and organize notes during meetings. Prepare BDTT action items and follow up with each stakeholder to ensure objectives for decision making are met.
• Process improvement: Ability to analyze and seek opportunities to improve the patent prosecution and deal making process and anticipate business needs and ability to offer solutions.