New UC San Diego “Express License” Speeds Discovery-to-Marketplace Process

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With the launch of a new "Express License" program, founding a company with technology invented at the University of California, San Diego just got easier.

The Express License provides pre-determined terms that effectively eliminate the lengthy customization process inherent in current licenses. The first area to receive the benefit of the Express License is the therapeutics field, which will serve as a pilot program, with engineering and other fields expected to quickly follow.

This new licensing alternative was announced today by Vice Chancellor for Research Sandra Brown.

"Jane Moores, assistant vice chancellor of our Technology Transfer Office, and her team have worked very hard to offer this specialized model for those wanting to quickly license technology and create new businesses," Brown said. "The Express License standardizes and streamlines the deal-making process -- something our faculty and other researchers support and welcome."

The UC San Diego Express License program is available through the Technology Transfer Office website: invent.ucsd.edu.

"Our office reviewed other available express licenses and solicited input from faculty, industry, and the venture community to arrive at this new model," Moores said.

“Applications for licenses will be reviewed by a committee that will render a decision (or request additional information) within 11 business days," said Bill Decker, associate director of the Technology Transfer Office. "If additional information is needed, a decision will be made within 20 business days.”

The committee consists of the dean of the Rady School of Management, the Vice Chancellor for Research, the appropriate dean from Health Sciences (School of Medicine or the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), and the principal investigator of the invention to be licensed.  The director of the Conflict of Interest Office will be an ex officio member of the committee, Decker said, as will the licensing officer responsible for managing the invention. 

"This is a great step forward," said Robert Sullivan, dean of the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego. "I believe that the Express License sets a precedent for the University of California and demonstrates our proactive support of researchers. It will also speed the translation of discoveries to the marketplace."

The Express License offers an additional licensing choice to local entrepreneurs. “The Express License is an innovation in the technology transfer field,” said Jay Lichter, managing director at Avalon Ventures. "It will facilitate the rapid commercialization of university technology, while reducing the workload for licensing professionals."

"This streamlined approach to accelerate the tech transfer process will increase the potential pool of investors who want to commercialize UC San Diego technology," said Steven F. Dowdy, professor of cellular and molecular medicine and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Download the application or review the license at this web link: http://invent.ucsd.edu/industry/express.shtml