Working with OTT

We support Emory's mission through comprehensive management of innovations to maximize their benefit to the University and humanity. We encourage technology transfer from the University to the public through collaboration with our faculty, identification of promising inventions, and developmental guidance through every step of commercialization.

If you are not familiar with technology transfer at Emory you can view our video about this. If you are not familiar with our professional, AUTM (our professional association), has a terrific video with an overview of this work. You can also view an infographic explaining the technology transfer process.

Our licensing team is a leader in the technology transfer world, with success built by a strong, committed team of professionals enthusiastic about science, business development, marketing strategies, and humanity. We look forward to helping you succeed in developing your idea into a profitable commercial product that benefits humankind.

What are OTT's responsibilities? Our goals are to identify promising technologies and seek intellectual property (IP) protection for those inventions that can benefit the public. Selectivity of inventions is warranted given that OTT accepts the investment risks associated with IP protection and prosecution. In addition, our team works to ensure all legal and commercial documentation in the process is appropriate.

What are the inventor's responsibilities? Each case is unique, as are inventors, and the interaction during the transfer process will depend on various factors. The first step is to contact Emory's OTT to discuss your invention idea. It is important to maintain communication with OTT licensing associates to ensure we are informed of potential publications, interactions with industry representatives, and communications with potential commercial partners or outside consulting commitments you might have. It is imperative that details of inventions are not discussed with anyone outside Emory, because doing so may jeopardize patentability.

How long does commercialization take? Developing technologies from discovery stage through commercial success can take months, but usually takes years. The timeline will depend on important factors such as readiness of the technology for the market, competition in marketplace, and investment interest from industry. For example, US patent approval typically takes 18-24 months, and the average time from disclosure to licensing is 5.5 years. The sooner we receive your invention disclosure information, the more prepared we will be to advise you on a commercialization strategy and possible timetable.

Where do I send this?

  • Incoming Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs): Skip the paper forms and use the form found on Emory contractConnect. The system will collect all of the pertinent information. Form name: Incoming Material Transfer (MTA). The system requires a valid Emory netid. Send correspondence to ott-mta@emory.edu.

  • Outgoing UBMTA Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs): Skip the paper forms and use the form found on Emory contractConnect. The system will collect all of the pertinent information. Form name: Outgoing Material Transfer (MTA). The system requires a valid Emory netid. Send correspondence to ott-mta@emory.edu.

  • Bi-lateral (reciprocal) Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs): Skip the paper forms and use the form found on Emory contractConnect. The system will collect all of the pertinent information. Form name: Bi-lateral (reciprocal) Material/Data Transfer. The system requires a valid Emory netid. Send correspondence to ott-mta@emory.edu.

  • Clinical Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs): Agreements for the transfer of any drugs devices, etc. to be used in/on/with human subjects: Send to osp-contracts@listserv.cc.emory.edu.

  • Incoming Data Transfer/Use Agreements (DTA/DUAs): Skip the paper forms and use the form found on Emory contractConnect. The system will collect all of the pertinent information. Form name: Incoming Data Use (DUA/DTA). The system requires a valid Emory netid. Send correspondence to ott-mta@emory.edu.

  • Outgoing Data Transfer/Use Agreements (DTA/DUAs): Skip the paper forms and use the form found on Emory contractConnect. The system will collect all of the pertinent information. Form name: Outgoing Data Use (DUA/DTA). The system requires a valid Emory netid. Send correspondence to ott-mta@emory.edu.

  • Bi-lateral (reciprocal) Data Transfer/Use Agreements (DTA/DUAs): Skip the paper forms and use the form found on Emory contractConnect. The system will collect all of the pertinent information. Form name: Bi-lateral (reciprocal) Material/Data Transfer. The system requires a valid Emory netid. Send correspondence to ott-mta@emory.edu.

  • Data Transfer Agreements Involving Human Subjects (DTA/DUAs) that are part of an Emory clinical trial agreement, sponsored research agreement, or contract specifically governing human subject interaction/intervention by the Emory investigator where the prime funding agreement is currently under negotiation, send to osp-contracts@listserv.cc.emory.edu.

  • Non-disclosure agreements (CAs, CDAs, RDAs, NDAs): With an industry party pertaining to non-clinical research send to ott-mta@emory.edu. With an industry party pertaining to clinical research send to osp-contracts@listserv.cc.emory.edu. With a non-industry party pertaining to non-clinical or clinical research send to osp-contracts@listserv.cc.emory.edu. Received in relation to consulting agreements, please use the eCOI system.

  • Industry contract (e.g., clinical trial, research, amendments, research services, incoming subcontracts): with funding or changing funding: Please work with your RAS unit to route through the EPEX system which can be found here Compass Login. If there is not funding or changes in funding send to osp-contracts@listserv.cc.emory.edu.