AUTM Foundation and LifeArc Forge International Partnership to Advance Training for Scholars in Technology Transfer
The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Foundation has partnered with LifeArc, a medical research and technology transfer charity based in the United Kingdom, to offer a competitive program that will provide essential training for scientists seeking a career in life-sciences technology transfer. This joint initiative provides an opportunity for both organizations to show their commitment to improving opportunities for access to the technology transfer profession.
“LifeArc’s generous funding and participation make it possible for U.K. scholars to gain a rich training experience provided through the AUTM Fellows program,” said Chris Yochim, chairman of the AUTM Foundation. “Our collaboration supports the AUTM mission to advance academic technology transfer globally.”
The AUTM-LifeArc technology transfer program pairs U.K. life-science graduates and post-doctoral students with an experienced technology transfer mentor who will help prepare them for a career in technology transfer. Fellows follow a core syllabus of educational webinars covering such topics as Basics of technology transfer, invention disclosures – from cradle to licensing, basic patenting, marketing, and negotiation. Each Fellow receives a one-year AUTM membership, which includes access to AUTM’s Technology Transfer Practice Manual and more than 80 educational sessions.
In addition, each Fellow will be funded to attend the most significant technology transfer conferences and seminars in the United States and the United Kingdom. This includes attendance at two U.S. AUTM meetings, which provides networking opportunities with several thousand of the most experienced technology transfer professionals from around the globe.
“As a medical research charity, LifeArc works to identify, protect and manage promising scientific research so it can be developed into treatments and diagnostics for patients. By supporting the Technology Transfer professionals of the future, we can increase our charitable impact as more science projects are effectively progressed,” said Andrew Farquharson, executive director of technology transfer at LifeArc.