Technology Transfer Office – Linking Health Research and Business

Every year, CDC researchers and partners develop novel inventions which have the potential to enhance the health and welfare of people all over the world. In collaboration with CDC's coordinating centers and national centers, CDC Technology Transfer Office (TTO) evaluates, protects, monitors, and manages the wide range of CDC's intellectual property and provides leadership and expertise to promote the transfer of knowledge and technology for development of products and services that improve public health.

Protecting Intellectual Property and Promoting Partnerships

TTO serves a vital role in expanding the partnerships between scientists, other government agencies, universities, public health laboratories, and especially industry partners. The mission of the Technology Transfer Offices is to translate scientific research conducted at CDC laboratories into products that help improve public health. In addition, TTO ensures that CDC's trademarks and copyrights are not violated by outside entities. Within TTO, patent advisors and licensing specialists evaluate the patentability of technologies and evaluate methods to protect the Agency's intellectual property rights. TTO markets CDC technologies for licensing to commercial entities so that CDC's technologies undergo further development and are integrated into commercial products used in disease diagnosis, prevention, treatment and occupational safety.

Licenses and Cooperative Agreements with the Business World

TTO serves as the focal point for companies to approach the CDC to license existing inventions or to participate in the development of new inventions through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) and other types of agreements. These avenues provide an opportunity for U.S. Government scientists to work together with industry investigators to develop new or improved products or processes.  In addition, certain non-patented critical biological materials and derivatives can be transferred to outside partners for further research and commercial development. In all cases, CDC reserves the right to distribute its inventions to academic partners for research purposes.

The History behind CDC's TTO

In 1986, Congress passed the Federal Technology Transfer Act (FTTA) to improve the link between the federal laboratories' technology base and U.S. businesses. The act was amended in 1996 by the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act. These laws and related legislations authorize federal laboratories to patent and exclusively license inventions to and collaborate with businesses in research and development. CDC's Technology Transfer Office was established in 1988. TTO's successful efforts not only result in the development and commercialization of products, but also provide a direct return of investment to CDC, programs and inventors.  

Additional Information

Additional information on TTO and links to guide readers through topics such as CDC licensing and royalties, policies, and internship opportunities are available.

TTO is focused on translating CDC's research findings into practical applications that benefit the health and safety of the American public and people all over the world.