UC’s commercialization navigator pilots tech transfer at 1819 Innovation Hub
A role to connect pathways of researchers, inventors and venture capitalists
Housed within the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub, the Technology Transfer team is vital to safeguarding and managing the intellectual property generated by UC's researchers.
Its mission is to translate UC's cutting-edge innovations into viable technologies by evaluating patentability and commercial viability, ensuring compliance and legal protection, recruiting and maintaining external partners, marketing technologies, negotiating license deals and identifying funding opportunities. This multifaceted approach ensures that groundbreaking discoveries from UC are positioned to reach the market, delivering substantial benefits that impact society.
To increase awareness and engagement, as well as to enhance, support and accelerate the office’s commercialization function, UC created the commercialization navigator position. This new hire develops pathways for commercialization that connect UC researchers and inventors with external partners such as corporations, venture capital firms, venture studios, entrepreneurs and funding agencies. The additional employee operates as a one-stop concierge for navigating the breadth and depth of UC’s intellectual property offerings and talented researchers.
A health care hire
Patrick Brown
In May 2023, Technology Transfer recruited Patrick Brown from UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science to fill this position. The role isn’t new territory for Brown. Throughout his career, he has been passionate about translational research and the importance of understanding external partners’ needs. This is a learning he has carried over to his position as commercialization navigator.
Since joining, Brown has significantly expanded UC’s network of potential partners and his impact has been immediate, especially in the human health and life sciences sectors.
Technologies developed in the life sciences sector in key areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and vaccines can deliver potentially transformative breakthroughs to improve health care outcomes. The field is supported by a robust ecosystem of funding from government organizations, foundations, venture capital firms and corporations and is crucial to bolstering the nation's competitive edge in the global biotech landscape.
Institutions of higher learning are pivotal players in shaping the future of biotechnology through cutting-edge research, technology development and intellectual property, as well as robust commercialization ecosystems and initiatives.
Brown recently attended the BIO International Convention in San Diego, California. More than 18,500 industry leaders from pharmaceutical companies, academia, biotech startups and investment firms networked with other biotech professionals, exploring potential collaborations and relationship-building to propel initiatives forward.
UC’s participation in this event signals a significant investment by the institution in promoting awareness of UC’s contributions to life sciences, building an ecosystem of potential partners and accelerating the advancement and commercialization of university technologies in this space.
"At UC, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of knowledge. The discoveries and patented technologies from our researchers act as essential catalysts, fostering the exchange of ideas that drive biotechnology innovation," Brown said. "During the conference, through a peer-to-peer partnering platform, I was able to connect with key business development personnel from pharmaceutical companies of all sizes, startups and venture capital firms. This has significantly broadened our network and created new opportunities for bringing our technologies to the market."
UC’s presence also impressed upon stakeholders that academia, particularly a research institution like UC, serves as a major driver of biotechnological discovery and a source of the innovations that will define our collective future.
Patrick Brown Commercialization navigator, Office of Technology Transfer
Pioneers of research discoveries
Brown understands that within the hallways and laboratories of higher education, biotech emerges not merely as a field of study but as a cornerstone of academic and economic vitality. He also knows how critical it is that academic innovations are translated to the market if they’re to achieve their intended impacts.
During the BIO convention, Brown met with key stakeholders and investors who attended a reception sponsored by UC and the 1819 Innovation Hub. Attendees appreciated the exceptional breadth and depth of UC’s expertise in life sciences, including in antibiotics, cell therapy, diagnostics, drug delivery, gene therapy, medical devices, research tools, RNA technology and vaccines.
"I had the privilege of showcasing a video of some of UC’s most promising innovations, as well as our success in attracting significant life sciences research funding," Brown said. "It was important to demonstrate UC’s contributions and commitment to life sciences innovation in Ohio and in Cincinnati more specifically. UC’s presence also impressed upon stakeholders that academia, particularly a research institution like UC, serves as a major driver of biotechnological discovery and a source of the innovations that will define our collective future."
UC discoveries range from lifesaving therapies to groundbreaking medical technology and beyond. The impact of UC's biotechnology efforts resonates and drives forward life-changing discoveries while bolstering our region and nation’s economic heft.
REDI Cincinnati and JobsOhio provide a snapshot overview of biotechnology’s impact and Ohio Life Sciences highlights the state’s history of innovation districts, including the Cincinnati Innovation District, powered by UC and the 1819 Innovation Hub.
For more information about UC’s available technologies or to meet Technology Transfer to discover your next life science innovation, contact Patrick Brown at brownpj@ucmail.uc.edu or visit UC’s tech transfer website.
Featured image at top: Stock image of a person working in a lab. Photo/National Cancer Institute
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The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
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Housed within the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub, the Technology Transfer team is vital to safeguarding and managing the intellectual property generated by UC’s researchers. Its mission is to translate UC's cutting-edge innovations into viable technologies by evaluating patentability and commercial viability, ensuring compliance and legal protection, recruiting and maintaining external partners, marketing technologies, negotiating license deals and identifying funding opportunities. This multifaceted approach ensures that groundbreaking discoveries from UC are positioned to reach the market, delivering substantial benefits that impact society.