Curious how an idea becomes a protected invention at UAMS? 

At BioVentures, we guide innovators through every step, from disclosure to patent decisions and market strategy. Here’s how the process works, what to expect, and how we support you along the way.

1) Submit Your Invention Disclosure 

The first step is fully and adequately disclosing your invention to BioVentures by submitting an invention disclosure. Even if you’ve already reached out to schedule a meeting, we require a disclosure to initiate the process. It allows us to review the technology in advance, and gather essential information on compliance, funding, and inventorship. 

We’ve recently adopted a new AI-powered disclosure platform to simplify the process. You can upload relevant documents—papers, figures, posters, presentations—and the system will generate a draft disclosure for you to review and edit before submission: 

👉 Submit your disclosure 

The form captures a complete overview of your invention, its potential applications, and any existing data or prototypes. Once submitted, BioVentures typically reviews the disclosure within 1–2 weeks before scheduling a meeting with you. 

Typical timing: BioVentures review in 1–2 weeks. 

2) Meeting with the Technology Manager 

We meet with the inventor to clarify the technology, confirm federal compliance needs, capture inventor and funding information, and discuss long‑term goals and commercialization paths. 

Typical timing: Scheduled within 1–2 weeks after disclosure review. 

3) P&CC Decision (Patent & Copyright Committee) 

The inventor presents at the P&CC. This committee reviews the presented technology and makes a determination on how the technology should be protected. Outcomes can include: 

• File a provisional patent: to secure an early filing date and begin the patent protection timeline (valid for 12 months). 

• File a copyright: when the invention involves creative works like software code or written materials. 

• Trade secret: when the invention contains sensitive material that would be best kept hidden so competitors can’t copy it (ex. recipe, formula, algorithm) 

• Retain rights and encourage further development: when the idea shows promise but needs more data before protection or marketing. 

• Return to inventor: when the invention falls outside BioVentures’ scope or lacks commercial potential at this stage. 

Typical timing: P&CC is usually scheduled 1–2 months after acceptance of the disclosure. 

4) Protection Strategy Based on P&CC Outcome 

The legal protection route follows the P&CC decision. If a provisional patent filing is recommended, we move quickly to secure a priority date and a 12‑month window to strengthen data and assess market potential. This is because in the United States is a first to file country which means that the right to a patent generally belongs to whichever inventor files an application with the USPTO first, not to whoever first conceives the idea. As such, protecting your invention in a timely manner is important to us.  

Typical timing: Provisional filing is typically completed within a few weeks of the P&CC meeting. 

5) Marketing and Commercial Pathways 

If the inventor agrees, we begin targeted outreach. Options include: 

• Licensing to established companies 

• Industry‑sponsored research to advance validation 

• Startup formation with the inventor licensing the IP to commercialize independently 

Why Early Disclosure Matters 

Submitting your invention disclosure early is essential. It helps preserve your patent rights before any public disclosure or publication, ensuring your ability to pursue protection. Early disclosure also allows BioVentures to align your IP strategy with funding sources and compliance requirements, and accelerates our ability to evaluate the market potential and identify relevant partners. 

This overview is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Specific strategies and timelines may vary by technology. 

Have an invention to disclose?

Submit your disclosure now!