Three types of ATM are the most common in academic institutions: transfer between academic or research institutions, transfer from science to industry, and transfer from industry to science. Each requires different terms and conditions. [1] For simple transfers that do not involve intellectual property, the NIH recommends a simple letter of agreement. For materials that can be patented or for which greater protection is desired, the Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (WBU) can be used. Many U.S. educational institutions have signed the UBMTA Framework Agreement. [2] The AUTM (formerly association of University Technology Managers) serves as a reference for the original UBMTA framework agreements and maintains the list of signatories. [3] UBMTA signatories only have to sign a letter of execution with the details of each transfer, as they have already accepted all the terms of the framework contract. Unless a third party has a right of ownership, transfers of material within the UNH are not subject to ATM. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Senior Vice-President, Research (SVPR) reserves all rights, powers and responsibilities to protect the interests of UNH as set forth in the UNH Intellectual Property Policy, other applicable policies and as agreed with other UNH offices and committees. Therefore, the SVPR reserves the right to refuse any request to sign an MTA.
A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is a contract that governs the transfer of research material between two organizations if the recipient intends to use it for its own research purposes. The MTA defines the rights of the supplier and the rights and obligations of the consignee with respect to materials and descendants, derivatives or modifications. Biological materials such as reagents, cell lines, plasmids, and vectors are the most commonly transferred materials, but ATMs can also be used for other types of materials such as chemical compounds, mouse models, and even some types of software. The Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA) is a formal agreement between a defense laboratory and an educational institution to transfer and/or improve technology applications and provide technological support at all levels of education (pre-kindergarten and higher education). Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) deal with the exchange of research material between individuals in separate organizations and address, among other things, ownership, intellectual property, publications and liability related to research papers. At UNH, we try to use the UBMTA (see below for further explanations) where possible to streamline the implementation of these agreements. Technology transfer is the process of transferring skills, knowledge, technologies and manufacturing methods between governments, universities and other institutions to ensure that a wider range of users have access to scientific and technological developments. These users, in turn, can develop and use the technology to develop new products, processes, applications, materials or services. The most common and flexible way for federal laboratories to collaborate with the public sector and vice versa is through collaborative R&D agreements.
The Research and Development Cooperation Agreement (ACRAO) is one of the most important mechanisms for T2 and, through it, a federal laboratory can link resources such as personnel, facilities, equipment, intellectual property or other resources – but no means – to any interested non-federal party. A CRADA is a kind of contract where both parties should have the same expectations and understanding of the outcome of the agreement. The Commercial Testing Agreement (CTA) provides access to the Air Force`s large number of unique resources, such as its “best and brightest” scientists and engineers, as well as the Air Force`s unique and world-class laboratories and testing facilities. Expertise is also available across the spectrum of related aerospace technologies, as well as manufacturing and design services, structural analysis, and modeling support for testing. ITU allows the Air Force to share software developed by the government. Executable software files, source codes, or both can be shared as part of the agreement with industry or an academic partner. To facilitate the transfer of materials, UNH has established MTA guidelines. In general, UNH agrees to make available to other organizations documents in which it has a proprietary right when performing an ATM in order to ensure the conditional use of the material by the receiving party. UNH will also facilitate the transfer of materiel from external organizations to UNH by taking over the institutional review, negotiation and coordination of all NMAs of external organizations.
UnH faculty, staff and students are responsible for complying with the conditions of the MTA and for the safe use of the equipment. To facilitate scientific collaboration and exchange, the FDA`s technology transfer program uses various agreement mechanisms, including: An MTA is a binding written contract between the parties that governs the use of the exchanged material. ATMs generally reflect the fact that one of the parties has a ownership interest in the material exchanged and that the other party intends to use the material for its own research purposes. Examples of materials may include: test materials, monoclonal antibodies, cell lines, mouse strains, plant varieties, technical data, software, confidential information, integrated circuit designs, plans, products, processes, devices, manufactured devices or any single material.. .