International Technology Transfer

As part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission to support biomedical research and reduce the burden of illness worldwide, the NIH Roadmap Initiative outlines the need to position the NIH to address the evolving public health challenges of the 21st Century and to enhance public-private partnerships. To support this mission, the NIH Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) is working to address global health challenges by facilitating the transfer of technologies to people around the world.

With many years of intellectual property management experience, OTT is ideally positioned to move technologies from the public sector to private industry in the U.S. and abroad. Indeed, out of the thousands of licenses OTT has executed to date, over 300 have been licensed to foreign companies. Approximately 200 products utilizing NIH technologies have been commercially marketed through various domestic and international public-private partnerships.

Through a comprehensive analysis of its portfolio and an on-going dialogue with regional, international, and private institutions to delineate the needs and capabilities of emerging economies, OTT has identified a niche of relevant technology transfer opportunities for diseases such as HIV/AIDS, pertussis, malaria, dengue, childhood diarrhea (rotavirus), meningitis, typhoid fever, cancer, and diabetes. OTT has already transferred such technologies or is currently negotiating license agreements with public and private institutions in India, Mexico, Brazil, China, Korea, Egypt, Argentina, and South Africa.

Finding solutions for neglected and endemic diseases remains a priority at NIH. To help facilitate efficient transfer of technologies related to such diseases, OTT developed a special web module that features licensing opportunities for neglected diseases from NIH, the FDA, as well as from not-for-profit organizations, academic research centers, and foundations in the U.S. and abroad. Any such nonprofit organization is welcome to submit their licensing opportunities for inclusion in this database.

OTT recognizes the importance of developing a cadre of international scientists and technology managers experienced in intellectual property management and other technology transfer-related matters and has launched an International Technology Transfer Training Program. At present, OTT is collaborating with institutions in China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Hungary and, with time, hopes to expand the program to include other countries. For the requirements, application or more information about the program please go to Career Opportunities or contact Susan Bruff by email.

Intellectual Property, Research & Development, and Innovation Resource Data Bank for Developing Countries & Emerging Economies Resource Data Bank document

OTT in collaboration with Pfizer Japan has developed an informational website providing financial terms for research tools provided by NIH that are used in biomedical research.