The transfer and commercialization of university-developed medical imagingtechnology: Opportunities and problems

Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID's) are sensitive device s designed to measure very weak magnetic fields, The noninvasive nature of these devices makes them ideal in clinical applications for the measurement of biomagnetic signals associated with the human body, such as the brain a nd the heart, Commercial acceptance of this technology, however, has been h indered by technical limitations and high operational costs. Moreover, the advanced medical instrument market is uncertain as a result of health care reform and the related pressures of cost containment. The aging U.S. popula tion, however, will likely increase the demand for cardiovascular care and thereby present opportunities for SQUID medical instruments, This paper dis cusses a university-based attempt to transfer and commercialize technology that potentially could eliminate the technical limitations of SQUID devices and allow their use in typical clinical environments. At this point in the development process, this technology can be termed neither a success nor a failure. Based on the experiences thus far, however, certain lessons can b e drawn for technology transfer of university-developed medical technologie s. First, universities need to re-examine the issue of the incentives to pu blish versus the incentives to protect intellectual property. Failure to pr operly align these incentives is likely to weaken or eliminate the potentia l for a strong intellectual-property position. Second; although a number of technology-transfer strategies are potentially available to universities, three factors are critical in making this selection: 1) the strength of pro prietary position; 2) the stage of development; and 3) the breadth of poten tial applications for the technology. Moreover, university technology-trans fer offices need to take a businesslike approach in identifying appropriate technology-transfer strategies that match the technology, the marketplace, and commercialization potential. For universities seeking to commercialize medical technologies it is critic al to expand collaborations with medical professionals to validate the clin ical application of the technology. Finally, where possible, partnerships w ith medical device companies should be pursued to gain experience in produc t development.